Threats in Hollywood are another sign of creeping authoritarianism

There are enough problems concerning Hollywood’s oceanfront condo project without the city making another one.

But that’s what the city did.

Catherine “Cat” Uden is the most high-profile opponent of the deal, under which Related Group would build a 30-story condo on a four-acre parcel of city land. In return for a 99-year lease, Related would build a new park and a larger community center. The city estimates that the project would generate roughly $3 million per year for Hollywood from rent, property taxes and a cut of sales. Related also would pay $5 million in rent upfront.

Uden has organized two protests against the deal. She obtained permits for both. As the Sun Sentinel reported, however, a police lieutenant called Uden last Wednesday to advise her against wearing a condo costume three days later to Hollyweird, the city’s downtown Halloween block party.

Word of the costume appeared on a Facebook page run by the project’s opponents. Uden is one of the site’s administrators. According to Uden, Lt. John Czerenda told her that if many people dressed similarly, “That can look like a protest.” Since Uden didn’t have a permit, Czerenda said, she risked arrest.

But there was some wiggle room, absurd as it was. Czerenda, Uden recalled, advised that she could wear the costume — as long as she didn’t tell anyone what it was.

“I respect the police,” Uden told the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board. But she correctly perceived the call as a warning; Czerenda wouldn’t tell Uden who made the complaint. Uden said he didn’t respond when she asked him to put the warning in writing. Uden sent an email the next day to Police Chief Chris O’Brien, who also hasn’t responded.

Perhaps the Hollywood Police Department is following the University of Florida’s lead. UF has prohibited professors from expressing their First Amendment rights to testify in lawsuits against the state. Perhaps department officials aren’t talking because UF officials have stated their case so incoherently.

Uden got no grief about her costume from the officers who worked Hollyweird. But Czerenda’s call was outrageous. And stupid.

Outrageous because, as Uden said, it was “probably out of intimidation.” Stupid because it reinforced existing public suspicion of the Related proposal.

As for the proposal itself, a city spokeswoman said, “Staff is continuing to negotiate with the development team.” The goal, she said, is to bring the agreement and a lease to the city commission “before the end of the year, but a date has not yet been determined.”

The spokeswoman added, “The project has continued to evolve based on public, staff and commission feedback.” She did not respond to requests for details about that evolution.

Meanwhile, another potential problem has arisen.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has notified Hollywood that the city cannot on its own expand the boundary of Harry Berry Park as part of the project. Hollywood bought the park site with federal money.

As a result, the city would need approval from the DEP and the National Park Service before changing the boundary.

In an email, DEP Community Assistance Counselor Angela Bright said the city “MUST” obtain such permission “in advance of any changes.”

Bright said the city has to give the state a conceptual site plan, a boundary map, a conceptual map of the new park boundary, a copy of the draft lease with Related and a conversion packet. That last item, Bright said, “MUST be reviewed and approved by both agencies prior to the city being allowed to move forward with your plans.”

In addition, Bright said, “The city must be prepared to dedicate the leased land in perpetuity or for the entire extent of the lease agreement term in order to fulfill the recreation commitment agreed to in the original dedication of Harry Berry Park.”

Uden appeared at this week’s community redevelopment agency meeting. City commissioners basically blew off the call from Czerenda. They blamed the Sun Sentinel. In response, Uden posted this on Facebook:

“If the city doesn’t like controversy, headlines, angry residents on social media, etc., I have a suggestion. Respect your residents and work with them, not against them. Hollywood will be a much happier place, and we can have the city we will all want to live in if City Hall worked together with their most caring, involved residents.

“I also advise voting for elected officials who will truly represent residents, and you should consider running for office if you’d like to serve your community and help clean up the shadiness in City Hall.”

Agreed.