Update No. 7 | February 12, 2025

Here's the latest: As we hit the ground running in February, here's a look as some Fast Facts for Huizenga Park.

What's happening:

Demolition is now complete after tons of underground concrete have been removed.
Marine improvements beginning to take shape.
Park drainage work continues.

Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey.

Follow @huizengapark on Facebook, Instagram and X
Go to www.huizengapark.org
Feel free to call or email if you have questions: 954-463-6574

Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 3.5 min read.

Riverwalk's Transformation

Huizenga Park as of February 10, 2025

Riverwalk's transformation as part of Huizenga Park's reimagining is beginning to take shape! With the goal to have the Riverwalk section of the project reopened to the public soon, our construction team is making big progress.

Demolition is now complete.

During the demolition along Riverwalk, our contractor uncovered remnants of the former New River Drive, the roadway that ran along the river's edge before Riverwalk was built in the 1980s.
Through their efforts to remove the old infrastructure, 20 truck loads of concrete were removed! If you've been following along with our progress from the start, we removed another 27 truck loads of concrete from the former Hotel Broward's foundations last year.
With 47 truck loads of concrete now removed from underground, Huizenga Park's future landscaping has the opportunity to thrive and water will drain properly.

Many layers of concrete and asphalt were discovered under Riverwalk of the former New River Drive. Look closely and you'll see the yellow stripe from an old curb!

Discovered concrete prior to removal and pile driving in progress.

Marine improvements beginning to take shape.

Our marine contractor successfully installed seven piles in the New River, which will support the Riverwalk Overlook once complete.
Crews are building the formwork for the elevated seawall caps, raising the height about a foot above the previous elevation. Concrete work should be completed by next week.
Crews have also started the formwork for the new concrete deck structure, bringing our city's prized pedestrian pathway closer to the water with views up and down the New River.

Wood formwork in progress to build the new concrete Overlook structure.

Layouts begin for the new spaces in Huizenga Park Reimagined. Seawall cap formwork in background.

Drainage work continues.

Huizenga Park Reimagined has a robust stormwater system to ensure that the park site and Riverwalk can drain water properly based on today's standards.
The well contractor successfully completed the drainage well this week, reaching depths of 116 feet!
Starting next week, crews will continue installation of the rest of the drainage system with the well now in place.

Drainage well installation in progress.

30-Day Outlook

Drainage well installation in progress.

Here's what's next: The construction team continues to work away on the marine-focused improvements, along with upgrades to the Riverwalk. This month, you'll start to see new trees arriving to the Riverwalk area with other improvements taking shape. Our team is expediting this work along the Riverwalk to have it fully reopen soon! While Riverwalk work continues, crews will resume installation of the park's stormwater system.

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 until Riverwalk reopens.

Meet the Project Team

If you don't already, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X! We will soon be releasing interviews with the project team, from the designers to the construction crew, with behind-the-scenes looks at the progress in Huizenga Park Reimagined!

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.

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