With temperatures steadily increasing these past few weeks, it is important to stay mindful of heat-related illnesses. Keep water nearby, take breaks in the shade, and look out for one another. Learn how to beat the heat this summer by visiting this page from the Broward County Resiliency Unit.

This is also the perfect season to register for adult and youth swim lessons or aquatic activities. The City of Fort Lauderdale offers swim lessons at five locations. Click on the flyer to learn more or contact (954)-828-7275. Families may also qualify for vouchers through the SWIM Central Coupon and Water Smart Program. Learn more here. 

   At our recent Commission Conference meeting, the Commission received key updates on the progress of the new City Hall and Police Headquarters. To stay informed on city initiatives, I encourage you to check out LauderBriefs here. LauderBriefs provides summaries of each Commission meeting. I also want to share that over the past month, I had the pleasure of attending civic association meetings in Edgewood, River Oaks, and Shady Banks. I am always grateful to be welcomed into your neighborhoods and to hear your ideas and collaborate on initiatives that make our city great. I also joined the Marine Advisory Board and participated in a Barrier Island public meeting, where we discussed effective solutions for derelict vessels and long-term anchorage in Sylvan Lake. I am proud to report we’re making real progress.

As always, I welcome your ideas, concerns, and collaboration. Feel free to reach out at bsorensen@fortlauderdale.gov or contact my office at (954) 828‑5028.

Enjoy your summer!

--

Ben

Upcoming Commission Meeting

Tuesday, June 17th - Joint Workshop with Budget Advisory Board at 11:30 am

Tuesday, June 17th - City Commission Conference at 1:30 pm

Tuesday, June 17th - Regular Commission Meeting at 6:00 pm

City Commission meetings are held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom - 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Watch live on YouTube. Meeting agendas can be found here.

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Mangrove Restoration Project at

George English Park

Two weeks ago, I joined dozens of volunteers to plant 50 mangroves as part of a successful city-led restoration project. Mangroves don't just boost water quality; they also protect our shorelines and support local wildlife. I will continue to work on bringing new initiatives to the city that help preserve our waterways.

Donating blood helps save lives and supports patients in need of critical transfusions. And as a bonus you get a free health checkup. They check your blood pressure, iron levels, and more, so you're doing something good for others while taking care of yourself too.

THIS WEEKEND: Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation for African Americans across the country. On June 19th, 1865, freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in the U.S. Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that over 250,000 Black people held captive in the state were now free by law. Come celebrate this momentous day with friends and family this weekend. Reach out to (954)-828-7275 if you have questions.

The Draft Solid Waste and Recycling Master Plan is here—and your voice matters! Join the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County at one of two in-person meetings to learn more about the Draft Master Plan, ask questions, and share your input. Once it’s finalized, the Master Plan will be our roadmap for services like curbside recycling, landfill capacity, and composting.

Two Public Meetings (Attend the one that works best for you):

Monday, June 16, 2025, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Tree Tops Park (3900 SW 100th Avenue, Davie, FL 33328). The meeting will take place in Oak Ridge Hall. Free parking is available within the park at several locations. Please plan to arrive by 6:15 p.m. as the meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Downtown Event Center (416 NE 1st Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301). Free parking is available at the Event Center for meeting attendees. When you arrive at the Event Center, go to one of two main parking lot entrances on the north side of NE 1st Street between North Federal Highway and NE 3rd Avenue. You do not need to do anything to validate your parking. Please plan to arrive by 6:15 p.m. as the meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Please RSVP at bit.ly/junepublicmeetings.

If you need translation or assistive services at either meeting, submit your request at least five days prior to the meeting via email to ejones@browardswa.org.

If you can’t make the meetings, the meetings will be streamed live on Zoom and YouTube. Visit www.browardswa.org/live to access the meeting links. 

To learn more about the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County, visit www.browardswa.org.

The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to share plans for the upcoming Davie Boulevard Bridge rehabilitation project on Monday, June 23rd at 5:30pm at the Riverland Branch Library. To attend virtually, register here. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2027 and finish in Spring 2028. For more information, visit here.

Come out to Holiday Park this Friday for Starlight Musicals with live music by the Andrew Morris band. Bring your friends, family, a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy tasty bites from local vendors. If you have questions, contact Holiday Park at (954)-828-7275.

This summer, the city is bringing health and wellness to you. From cancer support groups to SoCa dance, aerobic fitness, and healthy eating classes. Discover it all, click on the flyer to learn more.

Love stories set in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums? Join the book club to explore captivating novels in the GLAM world and connect with fellow story lovers who share the same interests. If you have any questions, please contact the South Side Cultural Arts Center at (954)-828-6250.

📍Click on the image above to sign-up for traffic/road closure updates.

📍Utilize LauderStreet here to view current traffic alerts.

The Broward County Convention Center will be hosting a large event from June 13 -15. Drivers should expect increased traffic around SE 17th Street Causeway and the surrounding area throughout the weekend. Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time if passing through the area.

What’s Happening:

FDOT is enhancing safety, traffic flow, and infrastructure along this busy corridor through a project that includes road resurfacing, improved lighting, expanded sidewalks, and major interchange upgrades at I-95. This project is designed to make Sunrise Boulevard safer and easier to use for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. 

Key Improvements:

• Wider ramps and turn lanes at I-95 to reduce backups and improve traffic movement.
• New shared-use path on the Sunrise Blvd bridge over I-95 to better connect pedestrians and cyclists.
• Road resurfacing to strengthen and extend the life of the pavement.
• New LED lighting and wrong-way driver detection systems to increase nighttime and driver safety.
• Upgraded pedestrian signals, ramps, and signage to meet modern accessibility standards.

Timeline:

• Construction begins: June 2025
• Estimated completion: Early 2029
• Cost: $55.4 million

What to Expect:

• Nighttime lane closures and occasional full closures with detours on I-95 and nearby intersections (like NW 7th Ave and NE 4th Ave).
• Access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
• Weekly traffic updates will be available at www.d4fdot.com/bcfdot

Questions?

Contact FDOT Community Outreach at (786) 494-6211 or email abreedlove@corradino.com.

Let's Stay Connected!