Progress in Progresso Village |
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This past Thursday, we celebrated the groundbreaking of "Thrive Progresso," a CRA project that will place Progresso Village in the company of arts districts like Wynwood in Miami. |
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Thrive Progresso consists of 60,000 square feet of warehouses on 5.3 acres of property in the industrial portion of the CRA in the Progresso area. The properties, many of which were being used for auto repair, paint and body and rag shops, are being rehabbed to a change of use for office, flex, retail, and other similar uses that will eliminate the existing blighting conditions and have a positive long-term impact on this area. Hardscape improvements in the right of way such as sidewalks, curbing, landscaping, rain gardens and bioswales along with other roadway improvements will also be installed.
The first renovated warehouse space is expected to be ready by June, and the goal is to have eight of the ten industrial properties, encompassing around 80,000 square feet of space, ready for 40 to 60 tenants by the end of the year. There will also be outdoor event space that can accommodate around 12,000 people.
The Northwest Progresso Flagler Heights CRA has already contributed $2.8 million toward the success of this project back in 2019, and the Fish brothers, Jonathan and Abraham, have invested about $15 million so far. Moreover, 25% of the leasable area will have rent limits in place to remain affordable to small businesses as a community benefit while the remaining space will rent at market rate to support the project.
This arts-centric project will expand the redevelopment and excitement that we are already experiencing in District 2's Flagler Village and MASS District. The Arts are so vital to our city! They are not only an economic engine, but also nourish our soul and connect each and every one of us.
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Heilange Porcena named the 2022 Principal of the Year |
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Congratulations to Heilange Porcena of North Side Elementary School on being recognized as Broward County Public Schools’ Principal of the Year. As a former educator, I have the utmost respect for those who are invested in developing and providing opportunities for future generations. Mrs. Porcena's dedication and hard work have earned her this important achievement. Not only that, but this accomplishment proves that she has served her community well and her leadership is held in high regard among students, parents, teachers, and staff members. I couldn’t be more proud to have a principal of her caliber representing our district – District 2 in Fort Lauderdale.
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2022 City Commission Priorities
At our most recent meeting, the City Commission approved its priorities for 2022 that were developed at the Commission Prioritization Workshop held on January 27, 2022. The list includes the following top priorities: Homelessness and Housing Opportunities, Infrastructure and Resilience, Parks and Public Places, and Transportation and Traffic. Progress on these priorities will be shared monthly in the form of LauderTrac newsletters. The City Commission also identified six additional priorities: Community Response and Safety, Economic Diversification, Historic Preservation, Smart Growth, Waterway Quality, and Workforce Training and Education. For details, visit ftlcity.info/34EUcHN.
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Click on the image below to view the Florida League of Cities' Key Legislative Issues! |
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City Commission Approves Resolutions Opposing Six House and Senate Bills
With the 2022 Florida Legislative Session underway, the City Commission voted in favor of sending six resolutions to the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis expressing the City’s position on bills currently under review by the State Legislature. I introduced these resolutions because I believe that it was vital for our Commission to take a stand and go on the record in Tallahassee:
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 974 and House Bill 985 that if enacted would increase statutory limits on tort liability claims against local governments. If signed into law, local governments would need to budget more funds to pay higher insurance premiums or, for those that are fully or partly self-insured, pay for higher settlements or judgments or both. This comes at a time when many other bills being considered this session would open up municipalities to a significantly increased risk of lawsuits and settlements.
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 1300 and House Bill 1467 that would provide for adoption of District School Board procedures for developing library media center collections including the removal or discontinuance of books based on a number of criteria pursuant to a policy requiring objection by a parent or resident of the county. This would allow for censorship of materials in schools without any specific guidelines of what is considered appropriate other than the subjective ruling of a committee in a time when book banning has ramped up considerably in recent years.
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 148 and House Bill 7 which if enacted would make it unlawful to subject an individual as a condition of employment, membership, or licensing to training that compels an individual to believe that certain concepts constitute discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin. These bills are nothing more than an attempt to censor workplaces and schools from teaching honest LGBTQ history, Black history, the root causes of injustice and discrimination, and more.
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 1834 and 1820 and House Bill 1557 and 747 that if enacted would ban discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in primary grades and allow healthcare providers and insurers to deny patients care based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. These bills are targeted attacks on our LGBTQ communities. The existence of LGBTQ students and parents is not a taboo topic that should be regulated by the Florida Legislature, and the beliefs of healthcare providers should not be placed above a patient’s well-being.
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 620 and House Bill 569 that would allow business damages to be ascertained against counties and municipalities in certain circumstances if a business can demonstrate that their business has been impacted 15% or more based on local ordinances. We believe municipalities should have the ability to enact and amend ordinances in the best interests of their communities without having their ability to effectively legislate hindered by the threat of exposure to large damage awards being assessed.
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Resolution opposing Senate Bill 510 and House Bill 301 which if enacted would require all elected officials to file an annual full disclosure of financial interests rather than the currently required limited disclosure. These bills subject elected officials to a potentially unnecessary invasion of privacy that, if the voters felt necessary, already have the means to enact in their local municipality and may discourage candidates from running for office.
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Did you know the City’s Curbside Electronics Pickup Program has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Local Government, Partner of the Year? #FTL residents can conveniently dispose of home electronics & using this program is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Gather acceptable electronics
- Schedule an electronics pick-up
- Place item(s) next to your blue cart
To schedule your pickup:
Call our 24-Hour Customer Service Center: 954-828-8000.
Happy recycling!
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City of Fort Lauderdale to Chlorinate Water System
Preventive Maintenance Scheduled
for March 22 - April 12
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The City of Fort Lauderdale will temporarily switch to using free chlorine in its drinking water system beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22 through 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Free chlorination is a common preventative maintenance procedure for water systems using chloramines for disinfection. The City expects the chlorination period to be transparent to our neighbors; however, some may notice a slight change in the taste or smell of their tap water. In addition, neighbors may see water flowing from fire hydrants in their neighborhood, which is part of the normal maintenance process.
The City of Fort Lauderdale maintains the highest standards to ensure that clean, high quality drinking water is delivered to our neighbors. The City’s water meets federal, state, and local primary drinking water standards.
For more information, please contact our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 or via LauderServ.
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Good luck, Fort Lauderdale! The South Side Cultural Arts Center is a terrific nominee! |
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If only every city in Broward County
stepped up and did its part!
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So pleased to announce the nomination of Rivermont to the National Register of Historic Places |
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Tunnel Rehab & Pedestrian Plaza Construction Update: Las Olas Boulevard Lane Shifts and Parking Closures
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Beginning on Monday, February 21st, the on-street parking on Las Olas Boulevard between SE 5 Avenue and SE 8 Avenue will be closed due to the construction of the Henry E Kinney Tunnel Improvements & Pedestrian Plaza project.
Westbound traffic is expected to be shifted into the eastbound lanes to accommodate the ongoing construction activities. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times.
Click here to view the flyer from the Florida Department of Transportation for additional information.
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Watch the Latest Editions of FTL City News
& What's the Buzz!
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Gridiron Football Skills Clinic
Ages: 6-15
Dates: March 17 - May 21
Fee: Resident $40, Non-Resident $60, Y.E.S. $10
Kick it Soccer Skills Clinic
Ages: 5-15
Dates: March 18 - May 22
Fee: Resident $40, Non-Resident $60, Y.E.S. $10
Pee Wee Soccer Clinic
Ages: 4
Dates: March 15 - May 17
Fee: Resident $40, Non-Resident $60, Y.E.S. $10
Volleyball Skills Clinic
Ages: 9-15
Dates: March 16 - May 18
Fee: Resident $40, Non-Resident $60, Y.E.S. $10
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We have the following Board Vacancies below. Please email Nancy Fry [email protected] if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Audit Advisory Board
Aviation Advisory Board
Board of Adjustment
Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board
Civil Service Board
Community Services Board
Fire-Rescue Facilities Bond Issue Blue Ribbon Committee
Insurance Advisory Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Sustainability Advisory Board
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More than 15 years ago, I was the Broward County Cultural Division project manager for the restoration of the historic West Side Grade School and creation of the adjacent Artist live/work spaces. I worked with ArtSpace out of Minneapolis. Without getting into the messy details, the historic school fell on bad times and was abandoned - a real disservice to Sailboat Bend. Good news! After all these years, ArtSpace is back on the scene as the new owners and on February 17th we met to discuss possibilities. I am excited about the future! |
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Always so pleased to be invited to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Beach Council meeting in order to provide city and, in particular, beach issues. This is an amazing group of very engaged and dedicated members and I am grateful for their work. |
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Since 1980, the Human Rights Campaign has been one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. This year’s South Florida fundraiser was held in Fort Lauderdale at the beautiful Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The terrific crowd included Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioner Ben Sorensen as it was important for us to represent and call out the outrageous, discriminatory legislation spreading throughout the country- including here in Florida! We must not go backwards!
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I never knew much about Tactical Urbanism until late last year, but we have our very own “B Tactical” project taking shape in D2’s Lake Ridge! Thank you to the Broward MPO and the City’s TAM Department for hosting a workshop on the heels of the live Walk and Talk - so look forward to the end result on NE 15th Ave between NE 11th and NE 13th Streets. |
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While Ashley and I attended the Lake Ridge workshop last evening, Nancy represented our office at this month’s South Middle River Civic Association, where they saw a presentation on the new development at 1700 N Andrews Ave. It is always great to see such an involved neighborhood association working so hard to improve and contribute to their community. |
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The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cacicedo, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestions [email protected] or 954-828-5923.
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Steve Glassman
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, District 2
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