Planner sought for site in Sunrise

County planning to develop 140 acres near BB&T Center

SUNRISE — Broward County is seeking a planning firm to design a “unique” blueprint to build out 140 acres near the BB&T Center in Sunrise.

The request, issued late Friday, calls for an architectural or master planning firm to design a master plan for the land around the arena, which is home to the Florida Panthers professional hockey team and a venue for concerts and other entertainment events.

“I am very excited,” said County Commissioner Nan Rich, who noted that affordable housing is a real possibility for the spot.

The plan is to create a “real mixed-use” and make a “really nice community.”

The redevelopment project could take at least 10 years to complete.

The land is bordered by the Sawgrass Expressway to the southeast; Northwest 136th Avenue (Panther Parkway) and the Sawgrass Mills mall to the northwest; Pat Salerno Drive to the south; and the Preserve neighborhood to the east.

“It is the county’s intent the redevelopment of the BB&T Center property be the nucleus of a community that will anchor western Broward County as Fort Lauderdale anchors eastern Broward County,” according to the request posted online.

“It is anticipated the new development will be a community for people to live, work and play that includes office, residential, full-service hotel(s), retail/entertainment and structured parking …”

That could mean a “selfsustained community,” Rich said.

“That’s the direction of lots of development today.”