December 2018
Park improvements, new police HQ to be on March ballot

With the holiday season approaching, we have many blessings for which we must give thanks, and many opportunities in which to share our good fortune. Let’s take this time to let those around us know how much we value their connection and to enhance the ties that first brought us together.

Looking ahead to the new year, the City Commission has agreed to ask voters whether we should undertake two significant community improvements — replacing our police station and upgrading our park system.

These two bond issues represent a great opportunity for us to improve our recreational offerings as well as ensure our law enforcement is given a facility that will best help in their efforts to defeat crime in our city. Public safety and a vibrant network of parks are cornerstones of ensuring we provide a great quality of life for our diverse and growing population.
The parks bond totals $200 million and includes four signature projects involving Holiday Park, Joseph Carter Park, Lockhart Stadium and a new park above Federal Highway at the Kinney Tunnel.

We have not made a major investment in our park system since 1993.

If voters approve the bond, we would upgrade and modernize all park buildings, enhance lighting throughout the parks to improve visibility and safety, and make enhancements to signage and landscaping. Parks will be redesigned to make the best use of the available land, and there are even plans to utilize rooftop areas as recreation space.

We will add shade structures to outdoor courts to improve their use year-around. All parks will be brought into compliance with disability standards. Wellness opportunities will be expanded with more outdoor exercise stations and more walking and jogging trails.

We will begin new initiatives, such as LauderTrail — a network of trails for both pedestrians and bicyclists on existing right-of-way throughout the city. We also will build more dog parks and partner with the School District to open school property during non-school hours with upgrades to the recreational options there.

Money would also be set aside to try to acquire new park sites in underserved areas.

Our parks staff and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board have been working on plans, and here are some examples of what they’ve come up with: a new community center and pool building addition at Bass Park, a playground replacement at Bayview Park, boat slip improvements at Cooleys Landing Marina, a water playground replacement at Croissant Park, synthetic turf for multi-use fields at Hardy Park and a rebuild of Floyd Hull Stadium.

Other proposals are a crew boathouse at George English Park, improved softball concessions at Mills Pond Park, a kayak launch at North Fork Park, pool renovations at Riverland Park, a community center at Shirley Small Park, a nature center at Snyder Park along with pavilion upgrades, a fishing pier at Sweeting Park, and a boardwalk extension at Warbler Wetlands.

The main focus would be the four signature projects.

At Holiday Park, money would be spent on a water playground, sand volleyball courts with lights, expanded walking trails, a parking garage, synthetic turf for the sports fields, a tennis court renovation, security lighting and a destination playground. At Joseph Carter Park, we’d build a new community center, install synthetic turf and security lighting and also create a destination playground there.

The tunnel top park has been long discussed as a way to provide additional open space along Las Olas Boulevard. By expanding the deck over Federal Highway’s tunnel under the New River, we’d have additional plaza area across from the Riverside Hotel and Stranahan House. The final project would be an overhaul of Lockhart Stadium including rehabilitating the stadium for football and soccer use, adding synthetic turf and building out the surrounding area with such amenities as walking trials.   
The other ballot measure is the construction of a new police station. The city would seek $100 million to undertake this project.

The current headquarters is 60 years old is considered obsolete. It’s too small to accommodate the current size of our police force and does not meet modern standards of what a police station needs.

There are technology limitations and limited storage. Personnel are squeezed into insufficient space. The Bureau of Investigations, a key part of the Police Department, is located two miles away because there is not enough space on site. Elevators and restrooms do not meet current code. Some restrooms even lack hot water.

There is no fire sprinkler system in the building. Water and sewer leaks in the basement raise the possibility of mold and mildew. The air conditioning is so decrepit that condensed water must be manually emptied daily because there is no drainage to accommodate it.

The parks and police bonds will be voted on separately during a March 12 election. I encourage everyone to study these important matters carefully and remember to vote. 
Homeless initiatives 

Last month, I announced the city would soon launch a major initiative to address homelessness in cooperation with Broward County, the business community and non-profits. I am happy to report that not only has this program started, but we have seen our first major success.

The long-time encampment between the main library and Stranahan Park has closed. Within a week of launching our program, we were able to find housing for the individuals who lived there and also provide them needed assistance to find work, recover from substance abuse or overcome health issues. Yes, the encampment is gone.

This success was the result of adopting the nationally recognized housing-first approach. It’s important to combine housing with social service otherwise many would likely return to the streets. Thus, we targeted help to individual circumstances beginning with immediate health care and mental health assessments followed by regular interaction with caseworkers.

There was more than six months of planning by more than 40 public and private partners. The county and city increased their budgets for homeless assistance, and the business community stepped forward with major financial donations to help pay for the effort.

Following the success downtown, we are expanding the reach of the program citywide.

Fort Lauderdale has not had the best track record in dealing with its homeless population, but we learned from the mistakes of the past. I want to thank all who came together to make this initiative a reality. We’ve proven we can accomplish big things for Fort Lauderdale when we think boldly and work together. 
New Year's Eve

In closing, I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Please join me New Year’s Eve to ring in 2019. The city will be hosting its annual Downtown Countdown beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Southwest 2nd Street and Southwest 5th Avenue. At midnight, we will be dropping the anchor to welcome another year. I hope it is a prosperous one for all. 

Sincerely,



Dean
Mayor Trantalis joined Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen and Commissioner Steve Glassman along with Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki of Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center in lighting the Menorah at City Hall.
Mayor Trantalis and Chamber of Commerce president Dan Lindblade help open the new Del Frisco's Grille steakhouse on Las Olas Boulevard, the latest restaurant opening for the area .
Mayor Trantalis and Commissioner Steve Glassman joined Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen at the annual Equality Florida gala at Pier 66.
Mayor Trantalis speaks at the opening of an art exhibit at the Las Olas Beach Club that showcased the history of the historic beach property. 
Mayor Trantalis introduces artist Tobi Gotesman Schneier at a reception at City Hall for an exhibit of her work regarding homelessnes. 
Mayor Trantalis joins commissioners Robert McKinzie, Heather Moraitis and Steve Glassman as waiters at the annual breakfast fundraiser for the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.
Mayor Trantalis congratulates the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club on planting new trees in Birch State Park to replace ones destroyed during Hurricane Irma.
Mayor Trantalis, along with other city officials and business leaders, turn out the holiday lights along the beach as part of the Light up the Beach festivities .
Mayor Trantalis addresses the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce's board of directors regarding his vision for the city.
Mayor Trantalis and other city officials launch the first ever Light up the Galt event as part of the city's holiday festivities.
Mayor Trantalis greets legendary actress and singer Connie Francis during the 80th anniversary celebration for the beach's Elbo Room.
Mayor Trantalis joins other city officials at the American Legion's commemoration of Veterans Day at the Sandy Nininger Statue along the Las Olas Riverwalk.
Mayor Trantalis and Sheriff Scott Israel volunteer at the annual food giveaway at Sanctuary Church to help those less fortunate celebrate Thanksgiving.
Mayor Trantalis serves as a celebrity bell ringer for the Salvation Army during the annual Christmas on Las Olas event.
Mayor Trantalis joins other community leaders to honor the 60th anniversary of the Museum of Art downtown.
Mayor Trantalis and Commissioner Heather Moraitis present a proclamation to the owners of the Elbo Room honoring its 80 years in business.