|
Update No. 3 | October 2, 2024 |
|
|
Here's the latest: Progress is underway on Huizenga Park Reimagined!
What's happening:
- The construction team has removed, cleaned and palletized over 57,000 bricks from the park and Riverwalk.
- The Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain is being prepped for its makeover.
- Pedestrians continue to be diverted from the construction site to the water's edge.
Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey.
Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 3.5 min read.
| |
Huizenga Park Construction Kick-off Reception | Dr. Harry Moon, Ann Marie Moon and Ryan Case | Last week we celebrated the start of construction with Huizenga Park's biggest champions! Without the support from generous donors who have contributed a total of $5.6 million in private funding, renovations to Downtown Fort Lauderdale's signature park would have not been possible. Enjoy photos from the reception and we look forward to celebrating future project milestones in the coming year. | |
Bryce Hollweg and Mayor Dean Trantalis | |
Jodi Tanner, Jenni Morejon and Sarah Callari | |
Representative Chip and Eileen LaMarca | |
Looking Ahead: Huizenga Park's Transformation |  | |
We're looking ahead to some of the biggest improvements coming to Huizenga Park!
Here's what expect on the Riverwalk.
-
Did you have an personalized engraved brick in that location? Don’t worry! All Riverwalk red bricks, including the custom etched bricks, have been inventoried and will be removed, cleaned, stored, and reinstalled.
- Other traditional Riverwalk features like the pedestrian lights and banners and a sailboat sculpture have been incorporated into the new design.
Some exciting new features are on the way.
- Riverwalk will be shifted closer to the water, giving pedestrians better views up and down the New River.
- The walkway will be widened, providing additional space for everyone to enjoy.
- A variety of new seating options, from custom wood benches to movable tables and chairs, will be added for everyone to enjoy DowntownFTL's most prized public space.
We can't wait for you to see this major investment in Riverwalk come to fruition over the coming months!
|  | Construction crew removing bricks from the decorative Riverwalk bands for cleaning and storage. |
Construction crew removing, cleaning and palletizing Riverwalk bricks. |
The Spirit of Fort Lauderdale fountain being prepped for its makeover. |
Huizenga Park as of September 30th | |
 | |
Transformation in progress: The construction fencing along Las Olas is getting an upgrade! If you walk, bike or drive by the park this week, you'll notice new screening being installed that feature renderings of the reimagined Huizenga Park.
Here's what's next: The construction team continues to make progress on demolition in the park to prepare for upcoming stormwater drainage work to begin. Once the drainage improvements are complete, the team will begin working on the marine-focused improvements, including removal of the dilapidated wood decking, seawall enhancements, and constructing the new Riverwalk Overlook structure!
Other impacts: one eastbound lane along Las Olas Boulevard will remain closed from Andrews Avenue to SE 1 Avenue. This serves to provide truck access into the park and minimize the number of construction vehicles that need to enter SE 1 Avenue. The sidewalk on the west side of SE 1 Avenue will remain closed for pedestrian safety and the Riverwalk will continue to be detoured for the next couple of months.
| |
|
Meet Michael Boss, President of MBR Construction, Inc. A hands-on leader, Mike and his team are working diligently to build Huizenga Park Reimagined.
MBR Construction, Inc., a family-owned and operated South Florida Licensed General Contractor based in Fort Lauderdale, has over three decades of experience transforming public spaces in South Florida. The DDA first contracted with MBR over 20 years ago to complete Downtown Fort Lauderdale's first major streetscape improvement project, transforming the entire SE/SW 2 Street stretch from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to the US1 Tunnel.
| |
Project history and timeline | |
After years of planning and design, Huizenga Park will undergo a complete renovation that kicked off in August 2024. Construction is expected to take just over a year to complete, reopening by the end of 2025.
Big Vision: Huizenga Park will become Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature gathering place, exquisitely designed, activated, safe and comfortable. A space for everyone, to be used from morning through the evening, and every day of the year. A series of uniquely designed outdoor rooms will set Huizenga Park apart from traditional parks, offering opportunities for leisure, dining, physical activity, events, and meet-ups. A reimagined Huizenga Park will set the new standard for urban parks in Fort Lauderdale.
| |
About the Huizenga Park Foundation | |
The Huizenga Park Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2022 to promote, advance, foster and support the reimagining of Huizenga Park. | |
| |
If you wish to opt out of future Huizenga Park emails, please simply REPLY TO THIS EMAIL with "unsubscribe" in the body and we'll take it from there! Do not use the unsubscribe option below or you’ll be removed from ALL future DowntownFTL communications. | | | | |
