June 2025

Fort Lauderdale moves ahead

with plans for new City Hall, YMCA

The big news of course is the winning of the Stanley Cup by the Florida Panthers, and for a second year in a row!! With schools now out and with the summer upon us, skating within the cool environs of the Baptist Health IcePlex will be a welcome reprieve from the hot weather, and another opportunity to witness our team in action as they practice throughout the year. 

GO CATS!!

With the year progressing quickly, the City Commission is moving ahead with plans to build a new City Hall, replacing the 1960s-era building that was destroyed during the record-breaking rainstorm in April 2023. We are now undertaking a two-pronged approach to design and build the project in the most efficient way possible. 

The new City Hall is expected to be located on the site of the old building on North Andrews Avenue downtown. It will be larger, at 350,000 square feet, so the city no longer must rent additional office space. Our needs had long ago outgrown the old City Hall, necessitating many agencies to locate to nearby rented space. The new City Hall will house some 800 employees and will offer centralized services, adding to the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations. 

Demolition of the old building was completed a year ago. We’ve also finished the first phase of planning through a series of community meetings asking residents what they’d like to see in a new City Hall. 

The two-pronged approach now underway involves pursuing a traditional design and construction approach while also soliciting proposals from companies interested in doing the work through a public-private partnership. The city has had great success with P3s, having used this new approach to expedite projects such as the creation of Inter Miami’s campus and stadium at Lockhart Park, the creation of The Fort pickleball center, and the ongoing construction of a new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant. 

One company has already submitted a P3 proposal — Meridiam Infrastructure North America. They are global player in the field of infrastructure and are known in South Florida for constructing and operating the tunnel into the Port of Miami. That P3 project was completed under cost and ahead of schedule. Meridiam proposes to design, finance, build and operate City Hall. 

Having received Meridiam’s offer, the commission has now launched a 60-day period for other firms to also submit P3 plans. We are anticipating good interest from firms in competing for this. 

While the P3 option advances, city staff will continue efforts to retain an owners representative to oversee a traditional design and construction process. The owner’s rep and city would work together on creating a design criteria package that includes conceptual renderings as well as determining probable costs and then bidding out the work through a request for proposals. 

The commission will review all P3 proposals after returning from summer recess. At that point, we likely will choose which direction to move in. Personally, I want the new City Hall to be iconic, contributing to the renaissance of our downtown and making a statement about the future of our growing community. I look forward to finishing our discussions and getting construction started as soon as possible. 

Downtown YMCA 

This week, the city gave final approval for an exciting new development in Holiday Park, the construction of a downtown YMCA. This fills a void in sports and wellness facilities downtown that has lasted some 20 years in the area. This is great news on its own, but Broward Health has joined the partnership and will co-locate an emergency medical center. 

The 60,000-square-foot complex will be located in the northwest corner of the park along Federal Highway and is expected to open in 2027. The YMCA plans to build a two-story community facility along with a six-lane swimming pool. To assist in the project, the city is contributing $2 million in parks bond money toward the pool’s construction. 

Once built, the YMCA facility would serve more than 25,000 children and families, offering swim lessons, aquatic exercise programs for all ages and water therapy programs. As part of

the lease agreement with the city, Fort Lauderdale residents will receive a 10% discount on all YMCA membership categories for the full 50-year term of the lease.

Broward Health’s emergency medical center would have up to 12 exam treatment areas staffed by certified emergency physicians. The hospital system will also run health and wellness programs within the YMCA. 

The hospital system decided to join in the project because the largest complaint it receives is about long waits in its emergency rooms. In addition to emergency needs, patients will be able to get their lab work and imaging done at the new center, including CT scans and X-rays. 

Clay Shaw Bridge

The city has long received complaints from residents about how frequently the E. Clay Shaw Bridge opens for marine traffic, causing heavy congestion of Southeast 17th Street. At the urging of the city, the U.S. Coast Guard has agreed to a trial program testing changes to the drawbridge’s operations. 

The temporary change started June 2 and will last through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28. The test run eliminates current bridge openings on weekdays at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Coast Guard will then evaluate if a permanent change to the schedule should be made, but the city anticipates that congestion will be reduced on 17th Street during morning and evening rush hours. 

In conclusion, I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer. Remember that hurricane season has started. You should monitor the weather forecast and have supplies on hand for an emergency if a major storm does strike. 

If you and your family are looking for something new and exciting to try this summer, consider a new feature at the Museum of Discovery and Science. 

The museum of Discovery and Science brings prehistoric creatures to life like never before with the debut of Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure inside the first HoloTheater on the East Coast. This groundbreaking, immersive experience uses holograms, panoramic projection, and spatial audio to transport guests into 140 million years of paleontological discovery—no 3D glasses required.

The launch kicks off MODS’ summer-long Expedition: Dinosaur – Rise of the Mammals exhibit, featuring life-size animatronics and hands-on science.

I wish everyone a safe and exciting summer.

Yours,

Dean