Lauderdale keeps growing

City OKs 3 major developments

The downtown Fort Lauderdale building boom continues as three major developments — including a highrise senior home — were approved late Tuesday night.

The developments together add 5,002 cars to the surrounding roads each day, and thousands of residents in more than 1,200 condos, apartments or senior care rooms. That’s in addition to towers already approved, and more on the way.

The tower for senior living is the first such development proposed in the growing downtown. Though the project drew controversy from neighbors, many older speakers implored commissioners to make room in the growing downtown for

Ina Lee, a longtime figure in the tourism industry, said she’ll soon be 72, and the proposed Riverwalk Residences of Las Olas appeals to her.

“I want my senior years to be luxurious,” Lee said. “I want to be taken care of. God forbid in a storm situation like Irma, I want to live somewhere the stress on me and the stress on my family is relieved.”

Peter Barkin, a local the older population. real eswill tate agent, called it a “great concept” that would allow people to have “their families close by.”

Critics said the tower will be too close to its neighbor, the WaterGarden condo, and would set up a dangerous scenario with fragile seniors on upper floors. They pointed to the tragedy at an assisted living center in Hollywood. Eight seniors died in the immediate