October 2025

A look back at a year

of progress and growth

When I look around our community, it’s amazing how it has really transformed itself. Many of us can remember when Flagler Village was all but a ghost town, Las Olas Boulevard basically closed up shop for the summer and the beach was home to budget hotels catering to college kids in search of sun and beer.

We are in the midst of a great renaissance — one of the most remarkable transformations to occur in any city. Fort Lauderdale is stepping boldly onto the world stage as people and businesses take note of this extraordinary rebirth.

We have long had the innate wealth of our beautiful beaches, pristine waterways and tropical climate. But we have been creating a mix of arts, culture, entertainment, recreational, culinary, employment and housing options that is truly striking.

It’s all built atop a rapidly modernizing infrastructure, a solid commitment to public safety and a community spirit second to none.

Who would have thought a decade ago that Forbes magazine would feature Fort Lauderdale with a headline: “Florida’s Spring Break Capital Is Now Its Newest Luxury Real Estate And Financial Hotspot?” Or that the Wall Street Journal would ask: “Wait. Is Fort Lauderdale … Cool?” Or that a national study would rank Fort Lauderdale as one of the best places to live in the nation.

We are not just living through a renaissance. We have created a new destiny. Fort Lauderdale has come of age.

What is transpiring downtown is a central part of this story.

In just a few short years, more than $10 billion in investment has reshaped our city’s core. Downtown has been redefined with new residential towers, modern offices, award-winning restaurants and vibrant public spaces.

While other cities are watching families leave downtowns, ours are moving in. Since 2018, downtown has witnessed an 83 percent growth in families with kids. Children under 14 are now our fastest-growing age group in the urban core.

One in three families who moved here last year chose downtown. Why? Because this is a place where you can raise your kids, walk to a park, grab dinner on Las Olas and feel like you’re part of a neighborhood.

Fort Lauderdale has become a rarity: a city center that works for families. Yes, families downtown!

And it’s not just residents — it’s visitors.

Six years ago, only 7 percent of overnight guests stayed downtown. Today, it’s more than 30 percent. The historic Riverside Hotel was once the only accommodation downtown, but now there are many others with more on the way. We anxiously await the completion of the Whitfield, Las Olas’ first luxury boutique hotel.

Tourists are not just coming for the beach anymore. They’re coming for the energy and vibe that makes Fort Lauderdale feel alive, day and night.

Culture is a driving force in the new downtown.

The Museum of Discovery and Science is recognized as one of the best children’s museums in the nation and is home to the first holographic theater on the East Coast. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is frequently a first stop for top-tier Broadway shows.

And the NSU Art Museum makes the news for great exhibits and a strong collection of its own. Did you know philanthropists Pearl and Stanley Goodman gifted the museum their extremely large collection of Latin American art? The museum is now the only one in Florida with a self-portrait by Frida Kahlo.

Soon, Huizenga Park will reopen — the crown jewel of our Riverwalk and the biggest investment in public space that our downtown has seen in decades. It will be a signature gathering place — a green heart for leisure, wellness, dining and civic life.

Downtown is also fast becoming a foodie destination.

In the last 2 ½ years, more than 50 new restaurants have opened downtown, ranging from elevated dining concepts like TIMBR, Earl’s and Sixty Vines to popular neighborhood spots like The Fitz and Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza. James Beard semi-finalist, Timon Balloo, is the chef behind the Katherine. Heritage was awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand distinction, with Daniel’s Steakhouse also being recommended by the guide.

The downtown renaissance also is powered by jobs.

Half of downtown jobs are in high-wage sectors like finance, law, tech and healthcare. That’s a higher concentration than Tampa, Nashville, or Austin. Yes, we sit at the heart of the “Wall Street of the South.”

With Brightline uniting South Florida, Port Everglades shipping to the world and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport just minutes away, we’re connected globally.

Recent data shows downtown is pumping out $43 billion in economic impact every year — that’s more than either the port or the airport. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is the undeniable economic engine for Broward County.

And get this. Downtown’s transformation isn’t over.

As Hines’ FAT Village project begins to open late next year, it will become a hub of food, art, and technology — with more than 180,000 square feet of creative office space, 850 residential units, curated retail space, entertainment venues and immersive art galleries.

The Tarpon River Entertainment and Design District — home to Rivr Lofts and the future Raintree and Nautica developments — is reshaping the south side of downtown with new homes, new businesses and new energy.

Internationally known builders are placing their faith in downtown’s future with bold projects.

The Andare, which was designed by the Italian Pininfarina architectural firm, will open in 2027. Aimco’s mixed-use project of housing, retail and office will soon begin rising out of the old Searstown property. And, there are plans for two twin-tower projects — the Ombelle and Viceroy that will bring a new level of ultra-luxury living to the area.

It’s a very exciting time.

Rounding it all out is our new City Hall. Built on the site of its 1960s predecessor that was lost to the 2023 floods, the new building will bring together city services and reflect a city moving forward with confidence and embracing its destiny. I want to see an iconic centerpiece that encapsulates the new downtown reality.

The beach

But what’s happening downtown is only part of the story.

Our beachfront and barrier island continue to be reshaped with a focus on being upscale, family-friendly and globally competitive.

The city’s commitment begins where the people gather.

The A1A streetscape project is finished. That was more than new pavement and landscaping. The project was about creating a front porch for our city — a safer, more beautiful and welcoming experience for pedestrians, cyclists and families who call our beach their own.

Oceanside Park has emerged as a cultural anchor.

From the Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival to Friday Night Sound Waves, from weekend farmers markets to family movie nights under the stars, this space is alive with activity. It is proof that when we create places for community, the community shows up.

Nearby, DC Alexander Park has reopened with an ocean overlook, a playground and improved lighting. It’s a new place for families to gather.

What a difference for our beach!

A revamped and expanded Las Olas Marina, built at a cost of $130 million, is now accepting vessels.

What once was a parking lot along the Intracoastal Waterway has been dredged and transformed into a world-class marina. With 7,000 linear feet of dockage and the capability of handling superyachts, it helps solve a regional shortage and secures our status as the Yachting Capital of the World.

And with Ocean Prime anchoring its retail space, it will generate an annual economic impact of $200 million.

The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, less than three years after its reopening, is back at the center of international swimming and diving.

This spring, during the TYR Pro Swim Series, three world records were set by American legends Katie Ledecky and Gretchen Walsh. These achievements brought prestige and the total number of world record swims at our Aquatic Complex to 13, a remarkable testament to this facility’s history and rebirth.

The next phase of improvements at the aquatic center will include a rebuilt International Swimming Hall of Fame, an aquarium and other amenities to complement our acclaimed dive tower and the new pools. The ISHOF facelift will ensure the facility is not just a sports venue, but a destination.

Alongside our public investments, private partners are stepping up with transformational projects.

At Bahia Mar, a $2 billion redevelopment is underway to turn the site to complete the transformation of our beach into what has been described as the “Monaco of the West.” When complete, Bahia Mar will feature a premier five-star St. Regis hotel, luxury residences, unique dining and a revitalized marina. Plus, the plan ensures the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show continues to thrive at its historic home.

Yes, we will compete with Monaco on the world stage!

Remember, the City Commission worked hard to get a good deal for the city with the Bahia Mar developers.

A prior commission agreed to plans that would have packed the site with apartment buildings and likely doomed the Boat Show, but we backed up and worked through the deal a second time. We have now partnered with the developers to include major refinements that will now benefit the public and guarantee the city $1 billion in revenue over the life of the deal.

Pier 66 has also reopened, restoring an icon of our skyline. Its 32-acre resort built by Tavistock features 325 hotel rooms, 90 luxury residences a world-class spa, a 164-slip marina and a complete renovation of its famous rotating lounge at the top.

The Dunes Fort Lauderdale, our first Autograph Collection hotel, has broken ground. It promises to be another star in our hospitality portfolio, fusing contemporary design with the energy of our shoreline.

And then, recently announced was Riva Residenze on Harbor Drive. To be developed in conjunction with the Italian boat manufacturer Riva, it will be the world’s first luxury yacht-branded residential development.

Not to be outdone by downtown, the beach has also expanded its offerings for those in search of a quality dinner experience.

This includes the city’s first Michelin-rated restaurant, the Chef’s Counter inside the Four Season’s MAASS. And when the Pier 66 development is complete, it will feature 12 dining options.

These investments strengthen our economy and balance what Fort Lauderdale has always been — a welcoming, seaside resort destination — with our new status as a resilient, sophisticated, world-class city. Each step reinforces our identity as a city that does not settle for mediocrity, but instead aims for excellence.

From families gathered at Oceanside Park and yachts docking at Las Olas Marina to athletes shattering records at the aquatic center and couples enjoying cocktails atop Pier 66, this is no longer a dream. It is happening. It is real.

The sweeping new tableaus of downtown and the beach are particularly a credit to the vision of decades of residents and business leaders who looked to the future and determined to reach for the stars.

Remember longtime downtown advocate Peter Feldman looking at a wind-swept, thread-bare Flagler Village decades ago and foreseeing where we are today? The vision set over the years was important to the city overall. It served to protect our single-family neighborhoods from intense development by focusing builders on the urban core.

The renaissance also could not be possible without the city’s steadfast focus on fundamental principles — a solid infrastructure, good public safety, abundant parks and amenities and a strong economy. 

Infrastructure

When we talk about infrastructure, we are not talking about pipes, pumps and pavement in the abstract.

We are talking about families in neighborhoods that no longer flood after summer storms. We are talking about clean water flowing reliably to homes and businesses. We are talking about a city ready for tomorrow, not just reacting to yesterday.

Infrastructure is the quiet promise of government. You don’t see it every day, but you rely on it every hour. And I want to share how we are keeping that promise.

We all remember April 2023. Streets became rivers, homes were damaged and our resiliency was tested. Out of that hardship came determination.

That’s why we launched Fortify Lauderdale and fast-tracked projects across the city. When the first and second phases are complete, we will have invested more than $1.6 billion.

In the Durrs neighborhood alone, we laid 30,000 feet of stormwater pipe, installed 330 drainage structures and rebuilt 81,000 square yards of swales — finishing the job ahead of schedule. In Dorsey-Riverbend, work is almost complete with 21,000 feet of pipe, 90 drainage structures and a new pump station.

We made Edgewood and River Oaks more resilient, too. We’ve added 828 drainage structures, 52,000 feet of new pipe and 5,500 feet of repaired pipe. We even rebuilt 84,500 square yards of swales. And we backed it all up with three new pump stations.

We didn’t stop there. We restored Osceola Creek —clearing debris, reinforcing banks, dredging channels, removing invasive plants, and improving water flow from Southwest 32nd Place to Marina Mile.

In Progresso Village, $39 million in improvements are underway — 14,500 feet of pipe, 78 drainage structures and another pump station. Next year, we’ll break ground on work in Victoria Park, Melrose Manors, and Riverland.

This is not one neighborhood at a time. This is a citywide strategy.

Phase 2 of Fortify Lauderdale covering 17 neighborhoods is in conceptual design. We are sequencing the work, expanding our fleet of jet-vac trucks, adding staff and implementing a robust inspection program so our system is always ready for the next storm.

And residents will see benefits directly in their pocket books. Because of these improvements, Fort Lauderdale will apply to FEMA for an additional 10 percent discount in flood insurance premiums.

On top of this, we have secured $88 million in federal disaster recovery funding. This money will help us repair homes, mitigate flood risks, restore infrastructure, expand services and strengthen our resiliency.

Beneath our streets runs another critical system — our sewers. Sewers are something that are too often ignored until something goes wrong. But in Fort Lauderdale, we continue to turn attention into action.

We conducted smoke testing and manhole inspections citywide to reduce inflow and infiltration. We completed the first phase of the 54-inch effluent force main rehabilitation from the Lohmeyer Treatment Plant to the injection wells. And we finished work on the NE 25th Avenue, NE 38th Street, and NE 19th Avenue force mains.

Construction is underway on new mains along SE 9th and 10th avenues, also serving Lohmeyer. Next year, we’ll secure a dedicated contract for emergency sewer line repairs, so when problems arise, we can move fast.

And soon we’ll complete Phase 2 of the Tarpon River A-11 basin rehabilitation project—more evidence that every corner of our system is getting attention.

Perhaps the most exciting milestone is in our water system — the ongoing construction of the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.

Set to be in operation at end of next year, it will produce 50 million gallons of clean, clear water every day. Built through a public-private partnership, it is designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. It replaces the outdated and problem-plagued Fiveash Plant.

Alongside this, we are rolling out 65,000 new smart water meters. These devices let residents monitor usage online, receive leak alerts and prevent high bills before they arrive. Transparency and technology — delivered straight to your home.

We also completed a comprehensive water system mapping project, fulfilling the last major requirement of a consent order we have with state regulators. This gives our crews the ability to quickly locate and isolate mains during emergencies, saving time, money, and water.

Fort Lauderdale is renown for its waterways, and we are putting an emphasis on their protection.

Next year, we’ll partner with Coastal Conservation of Florida to cultivate oysters in the New River — natural water filters that improve quality and biodiversity. We’ll also expand waterway testing to five new sites, using molecular source tracking to pinpoint bacteria sources.

We also have created a new marine facilities fund that will ensure public boat ramps and marinas are clean and well-maintained.

We are taking other steps to protect the environment.

We adopted our first Net Zero Plan, charting how to cut emissions with solar energy, EV chargers and alternative transportation. We are completing an Urban Forestry Master Plan, expanding the canopy that cools our streets and cleans our air.

These steps protect your homes. They are investments in your family’s health. These are commitments to fairness. Whether you live in River Oaks or Victoria Park, Progresso Village or Durrs, you deserve the same security against floods, the same clean water, the same reliable services.

And there’s another impact: confidence. Businesses look at these investments and see a city prepared for growth. Residents see a city that doesn’t just talk about resilience, but delivers it.

Our work is not done.

As we face global climate change, more extreme weather and sea-level rise, it is paramount to maintain this priority on investing in infrastructure.

Every mile of pipe, every drainage structure, every pump station must work when called upon. That means inspections, maintenance and community input are as vital as construction.

When we talk about the future of Fort Lauderdale, we are also talking about how we move — how we get to work, to school, to the beach, to our businesses and to each other.

We are investing more than ever before to fix our roads and sidewalks, improve traffic flow, expand transit options and make our city safer for everyone — whether they are walking, biking or driving.

For next year, we budget $8.6 million to repair roads and to install and upgrade sidewalks. That’s nearly double when we spent in the budget year that is ending. We also will leverage $27.9 million from an upcoming infrastructure bond issue to make further enhancements to roads and sidewalks.

Results are occurring citywide.

On NE 4th Avenue, our Complete Streets program is adding wider sidewalks, new lighting and trees — making the corridor safer for pedestrians while giving the area more of a neighborhood feel.

On Breakers Avenue, with $3.8 million in grants from the state and county, we will construct a climate-resilient, walkable corridor with landscaping and pedestrian lighting.

A bypass road will soon open, built by the county at our behest to improve traffic flow on Southeast 17th Street by providing an alternate route from southern parts of Federal Highway through the port and onto the barrier island.

This way, visitors who arrive at our airport and head to their cruise ship will no longer crowd 17th Street. It will free up roads our nearby neighborhoods rely on.

And on Andrews Avenue, between Sunrise and Oakland Park boulevards, we are advancing a corridor improvement plan with the county that will bring landscaped medians and safer crossings.

From Riverland Road to Northeast 15th Avenue, we are listening to neighbors, walking the streets with HOA leaders and turning feedback into safer, calmer roadways.

But our city cannot rely on cars alone.

That’s why we’ve expanded the Circuit shuttle program into the northwest, reaching neighborhoods like Rock Island, Golden Heights, Lauderdale Manors and Dillard Park. Ridership has grown dramatically — proof that when we provide affordable, reliable alternatives, people use them.

The biggest decision ahead of us in transportation remains the commuter rail plan from Miami to West Palm Beach and its crossing at the New River in our downtown.

Let me be absolutely clear yet again: For Fort Lauderdale, a tunnel is the only option for that crossing.

In the past, I’ve talked about how a bridge would divide our city — cutting off the river, harming property values, impeding boat traffic and creating a wall between neighborhoods.

But in the past year, we’ve learned the designs presented so far for bridge work have serious flaws. Consultants hired by the city found that the cost is significantly higher than what has been portrayed and that the engineering challenges are far greater.

That’s why we’ve met directly with Meridiam — the corporate team that delivered the Port of Miami tunnel ahead of schedule and under budget -- in hopes they might make a proposal for a tunnel here.

We since hosted a Tunnel Industry Day, drawing nearly 60 participants and international construction firms to gauge their interest in participating in building a tunnel. As a result, we are receiving interest from firms who see this project as both achievable, affordable and transformative.

Fort Lauderdale is a city looking toward the future. And on the New River crossing, we cannot compromise because the decision there will impact us for generations to come.

Road work is important, but so is transportation technology. We continue to partner with regional, state and federal agencies to find ways to reduce traffic congestion.

We are working with Broward County to modernize our traffic signals.

Already, new adaptive signal technology is running on Federal Highway from Broward Boulevard to Southeast 30th Street. More corridors, including Sunrise, A1A, and Southeast 17th Street, are next in line — with completion expected by the end of this year.

This technology responds in real time to traffic flow, reducing backups and cutting down on idling. Add to this the county’s retiming of signals along key corridors, and we are seeing real progress toward smoother commutes.

Traffic in our city doesn’t just depend on roads — it depends on bridges.

On the SE 17th Street bridge, we worked with the Coast Guard to test a new schedule that eliminates two openings during both morning and afternoon peak commuter hours. That study is underway now. If successful, we will push to make it permanent.

Meanwhile, the South Ocean Drive bridge replacement was completed earlier this year. More bridge replacements are to come.

A truly livable city is one where kids can walk to school safely, where seniors can cross the street without fear and where tourists can explore without fear of being hit by a vehicle.

That is why we are also updating our Vision Zero Plan and are finalizing a Sidewalk Master Plan. Once the commission approves the master plan this fall, we’ll begin building those projects neighborhood by neighborhood across the city.

We are already moving forward:

• The state and county have agreed that new pedestrian crosswalks are warranted on A1A, Broward Boulevard, Federal Highway and Andrews Avenue.

• We secured a grant for mobility improvements in South Middle River and on Northeast 15th Avenue in Poinsettia Heights and Lake Ridge.

• We’ve entered into an agreement for similar improvements on Southeast and Southwest 17th Street between Southwest 9th Avenue and Federal Highway in Croissant Park and Poinciana Park.

• Through the Urban Core Master Plan, we are reimagining downtown so that residents and visitors can move around more freely without a car.

Yes, we are improving our traffic and transportation system to keep pace with growth and meet our future needs. 

Public Safety

I now want to address about something that touches every one of us — our safety. Public safety is critical to what a community is — whether it’s walking to school, heading downtown for dinner, having a quiet weekend at home or boating on the New River, public safety is central to what and who we are as a city. And I am proud to say Fort Lauderdale is making real progress.

Our overall crime rate has been on the decline. This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because our police force has been relentless.

We created a specialized gun intelligence unit that is cracking down on violent crime, speeding up investigations and pulling dangerous weapons off the street. We expanded ShotSpotter technology, which now covers nearly 7 square miles from downtown through Sailboat Bend into northwest neighborhoods.

That means when a gun is fired, officers know about it in real time. Thousands of shell casings are being recovered, and more arrests are being made.

And let’s not forget — our police are keeping our waterways safe too.

Just this summer, our marine unit partnered with the Coast Guard for Operation Risky Business. In two days, they boarded 111 boats, shut down 9 illegal charters, stopped 7 unsafe voyages, and issued more than 100 citations. That’s accountability in action.

This commission is making sure our police officers have all the tools they need to keep us safe.

This year, we are investing $1.6 million in new equipment and technology, including CCTV cameras and vehicle stop barriers, to use in high-traffic areas like Himmarshee, Las Olas Boulevard, and Sistrunk corridor. These improvements will help protect both residents and visitors where our city is most vibrant.

We are also expanding our approach to crisis intervention. When officers respond to certain calls today, they don’t go alone. They are joined by licensed behavioral therapists. Already, this partnership has de-escalated more than 65 incidents.

That’s the future of policing — compassion working hand-in-hand with enforcement.

And because our children deserve the safest routes to school, we are launching a pilot program to place cameras in school zones. Those who speed and endanger our youth will be held accountable.

Next year, Fort Lauderdale will open a new police headquarters — a project long overdue.

Everyone is frustrated by the delays caused by contractor errors, and we are making sure those responsible bear the costs. But what matters now is what’s ahead.

This new station will house more than 700 sworn and civilian personnel. It will feature state-of-the-art technology, training rooms, community meeting spaces, an evidence warehouse, and firearm training facilities.

It is designed to be more than a place that houses our law enforcement operations. It will be a place where residents and police can work together, build trust and keep Fort Lauderdale safe.

Homelessness remains one of the greatest challenges facing our community. It is complex, it is human, and it requires us to be both compassionate and firm. But we also will not tolerate conduct that harms our community.

In the past year, our efforts have sheltered more than 80 people, helped 18 secure housing and reunited 41 individuals with their families. Police outreach officers alone facilitated 34 reunifications.

Enforcement is also a necessary component of our efforts. In the past year, our officers issued 137 Notices to Appear. Unlike an arrest, an NTA directs an individual to Community Court, where they can face accountability while also being connected to services that can change their lives.

But we are not stopping there.

Beginning Oct. 1, we made a significant expansion of our homelessness response — increasing our staffing, our enforcement, and our outreach to make a real difference. Seven new positions are being added, bringing our team to 20 full-time employees focused solely on this issue.

That’s a larger, stronger and more coordinated effort than ever before.

We are reorganizing this team into three pillars: Street Engagement, Intensive Outreach, and Program Services.

On the streets, our Police Department Homeless Outreach Team and new Park Rangers will ensure ordinances are upheld while offering immediate help to those willing to accept it. Our Intensive Outreach team — made up of fire rescue staff, nurse practitioners, behavioral health experts, and case managers — will address root causes like mental health, substance use, and medical needs. And our Program Services team will coordinate every step so people don’t fall through the cracks.

This is about building a system that is smarter, stronger, and more compassionate; one that reduces repeated police calls, cuts down on hospital visits, eases burdens on neighborhoods and businesses and most importantly, helps people find stability and hope.

Public safety also means providing quality fire rescue services to the community.

This past year, we hired 28 additional firefighters through a FEMA grant. That allowed us to expand staffing on six additional medical rescue units. These three-person teams meet national standards and ensure we can better respond when emergencies strike.

Our Mobile Integrated Health Program continues to grow, becoming one of the most comprehensive nurse-led prevention programs in the region. During the past year, over 500 residents have received services through the services offered by this program.

It expands Fire Rescue’s role beyond emergency calls. They now help prevent crises before they happen — whether it’s connecting homeless residents to care, helping seniors prevent falls, or assisting those at risk of overdose.

And we’re strengthening the infrastructure that our firefighters need to serve the city. We are handling nearly 10,000 more calls than five years ago. That’s why we’ve budgeted for new fire stations — one off Las Olas and one off South Federal Highway.

We opened a temporary fire station 13, while a new hurricane rated fire station is being rebuilt at Birch State Park. We also are looking at plans for a new Ocean Rescue headquarters and a new fire station in Holiday Park.

We are investing millions of dollars to modernize our fleet. Just this fall, a brand-new specialized aircraft rescue firefighting truck and a new regional hazmat truck will be put into service.

This is what progress looks like. Smarter policing. A compassionate but firm approach to homelessness. Stronger fire rescue services. Investments in facilities and equipment that will better protect our community.

Parks

There is another measure that we can use to look at this renaissance in Fort Lauderdale, and that is our parks and recreation system. We have made tremendous improvements and more are on the way.

Let’s begin with one of our most exciting achievements — the opening of the pickleball complex called The Fort in Snyder Park.

This $30 million facility is unlike anything else in the country. It was built through a public-private partnership that required no city tax dollars. Owned by the city, it features 43 courts, seating for nearly 2,000 fans, a lakefront beach, a restaurant, and indoor/outdoor event space.

In just its first year, we expect more than 500,000 visitors, making it both a destination for residents and a driver of tourism. And, The Fort has already made national headlines.

Its first major tournament, the Humana APP Fort Lauderdale Open, was broadcast on CBS Sports Network. It is also hosting the Pickleball World Cup with competitors from 65 countries.

The Fort will serve as a training center for future champions, attract world-class events and generate thousands of hotel room nights. This is what happens when a city builds partnerships that deliver results.

Pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in America. But in Fort Lauderdale, we aren’t forgetting about activities that have been part of the community for generations.

We are revitalizing our legacy in tennis. With the help of a $1.5 million gift from the Orange Bowl, the city partnered with the United States Tennis Association to transform the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center.

These upgrades provide pristine clay courts year-round and will bring the facility up to international standards. We can once again attract top-tier tournaments to our city.

The Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships will now call Fort Lauderdale its permanent home. And beyond that, we will see quarterly tournaments, clinics and events that inspire young athletes and engage the community.

Also, for too long, downtown Fort Lauderdale has lacked a community center focused on fitness and well-being. That will change with the groundbreaking of a new YMCA later this year in Holiday Park. This follows on the heals of the new Y we built on Sistrunk Boulevard several years ago.

When it opens in 2027, this two-story facility will feature a six-lane swimming pool, a fitness center and programs for families.

The city contributed $2 million in parks bond funding toward the pool’s construction, ensuring that this dream became a reality. The Y will serve more than 25,000 children and families.

But this project is also about health.

That’s why Broward Health is joining with the Y. They will construct an emergency medical center inside the complex. With 12 treatment rooms, diagnostic imaging and lab services, this center will reduce wait times at crowded emergency rooms while promoting wellness programs for the community.

This is innovation at its best — combining fitness, wellness, and healthcare under one roof.

And what about the new War Memorial Auditorium and the Baptist Health Iceplex? We had a sneak peak at last year’s State of the City inside War Memorial, and what a year it’s been since.

At the Iceplex, families are constantly using the rinks. Activities include Emo Night, Skate to Alt Rock Hits and groups learning to curl. That's in addition to those who just come to skate or learn to skate.

And at War Memorial, we are once again hosting both community-oriented events and major concerts. Melissa Ethridge was the first concert.

Thank you to the Florida Panthers for this tremendous investment in our community. It’s a true public-private partnership that works! And to top it all off — they won the Stanley Cup for a second time and we had another great parade on the beach.

Big projects like The Fort and the YMCA make the news, but just as important are the parks improvements happening in our neighborhoods.

We reopened Dottie Mancini Park. We secured land for a park in Bal Harbour. We settled a dispute with the Inter Miami soccer team that clears the way for a new park and community center next to Chase Stadium.

Through our voter-approved parks bond program, we’ve completed projects across the city this past year — from Twin Lakes to Riverside and from Tarpon Cove to Hortt Park. And we’re not slowing down. In the year ahead, work will begin at Croissant, Floranada, Harbordale, Lake Estates, and Palm Aire Village parks.

Because recreation today also means connectivity, we’re installing Wi-Fi in all community centers so that students can study and families can stay connected while enjoying our facilities.

When you step back and look at what’s happening, you see a city investing in quality of life. A pickleball complex drawing the world’s best. A tennis center preparing for new generations. A YMCA that doubles as a wellness hub. And neighborhood parks that give every resident a place to relax and children a place to play.

The future of recreation in Fort Lauderdale is brighter than ever.

Other initiatives

Over the past year, the city also has made many strides in growing our economic base.

The planned movie and video production is progressing with construction designs now filed with our development review team. This 60-acre project that was first envisioned by Infinite Reality will be Napster’s global headquarters and the site for a major immersive media operation.

The project reclaims an old environmental Superfund site and will feature 100,000-square feet of production studios, corporate Class A office space, retail and workforce training programs. With an anticipated 1,000 new jobs, this will make South Florida a major player in the business of next generation immersive media, AI and e-commerce.

Our tourism base will soon receive a critical boost when Broward County opens its expanded convention center along with a new 801-room Omni hotel.

Convention business declined substantially in recent decades as event planners turned to larger facilities that offered on-site accommodations. Now, we will be competitive again in attracting these national and international events that bring thousands of attendees each.

Next year, the city will move forward with consideration of an important upgrade to its executive airport — one of the top five busiest general aviation airports in the nation.

We are exploring an extension of its main, 6,000-foot runway by 1,000 feet so the airport keeps pace with trends in general aviation and continues to play a vital role in our economy.

Even beyond these big initiatives and programs, the city looks for ways daily to make life better for those who live and work here.

We are aggressively looking for ways to make housing more affordable. Mount Hermon Housing , the Gallery at FAT Village and The Adderley have all opened, thanks in large part to money from the city’s redevelopment program. More projects are in the pipeline.

We started a “I Am Sistrunk” branding campaign to unify and uplift the Sistrunk corridor. We created a teachers-of-the year program to honor the hard-working people who educate our children at each of the schools in our community.

We are adding more art in public places through a generous grant from the James Laird estate.

The first piece was the seashell sculpture in Laura Ward Park on Las Olas. Soon, you’ll see an artistic “FTL” sculpture placed at A1A and Las Olas. It is sure to become a favorite photo for tourists and locals alike.

We are starting a Municipal Affordability Program, setting aside money to assist financially burdened households with paying for water, sewer and sanitation services. This will allow low-income families in need to maintain uninterrupted access to essential services. 

As we review what we have accomplished, I also want us to look ahead — with confidence and pride.

Think about it.

We are transforming neighborhoods once ravished by flooding. We’re building upscale marinas, world-class tennis and pickleball centers and making the community safer. We’ve reimagined downtown, upgraded the beach and are improving parks in every corner of the city.

We’ve done this together. Every new pipe, every new playground, every new job reflects the work of people who believe in Fort Lauderdale and are willing to invest in its future.

This is a city with a vision for the better future and the capacity to make it happen. We don’t back down from challenges, and we aim our sites high.

Let us take pride in the amazing community we have — diverse in its population, cosmopolitan in its culture, welcoming to the world with a resiliency and strength that is unparalleled.

Our children will grow up in a city with cleaner waterways, safer streets and more opportunities than ever before. Our families will enjoy vibrant neighborhoods and abundant options for leisure and fun. And our businesses will thrive with expanded economic opportunities.

Let’s keep showing the world what our community can accomplish. Because the state of our city is not only strong — it is unstoppable.

Yours,

Dean