Effort aims to shed new light

Resident advocates for lights at high school stadium

Edward Marko has spent years campaigning for nighttime stadium lighting at Fort Lauderdale High School.

At a recent ceremony dedicating 40 new trees along the school’s edge, Marko again made the case for the lights.

“This is the oldest school in Broward County, and it has no stadium lights. I think that’s a sin,” Marko said.

While stadium lights would benefit the school’s sports teams, residents fear the glare and noise from night games could disrupt the neighborhood. Former City Commissioner Tim Smith first suggested the trees as a way of making a gesture to neighbors. Developer Bradley Deckelbaum then came forward to donate the 40 trees.

The trees will also help to buffer area homes from the stadium lights, if and when they go in, said Assistant Principal Frank Gaines.

“After 50 years, this is the first time [the lights] have been this close to being installed,” he said.

Phil Baker, who lives on Northeast Seventh Avenue near the school, said the trees will help shield homes from the noise and lights during night games.

But many residents still have concerns.

“No one has included us in any plans,” said Christopher Dillon, who lives on Northeast 17th Court. “The stadium lights will affect not only [nearby] houses, but the houses across the river. This is being ramrodded by philanthropy. No one has approached the neighborhood.”

Although Marko is contributing heavily toward the lights, he stressed that their approval is not a foregone conclusion.

“But the matter is certainly going in that direction,” he said.