City’s goal: Make it fun for families
Theme park, other destinations attract interest in Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE – Fort Lauderdale isn’t rated highly on the familyfriendly scale, but that could change as the city considers indoor soccer, public ice skating, and even a theme park.
Families looking for something fun to do — and a break from the beach — were disappointed earlier this year when plans for a major water park in Fort Lauderdale collapsed. But the 65 acres where it would have been built are still available.
“It is the last large piece of city-owned property that we can look to do something on,” City Manager Lee Feldman said.
Commissioners also are weighing possibilities for the future of War Memorial Auditorium in Holiday Park. The city recently ordered a stop to the gun show that’s been held there for years. An ice rink, a concert venue and an indoor
soccer hub are on the table.
A recent survey of city residents found people increasingly feel it’s not a great place to raise children. City leaders have said said they want to improve on that reputation.
No decisions were made Tuesday. But city commissioners said they’re interesting in using both properties for public attractions.
In addition Tuesday, the city agreed to renew efforts to add an aerial rope adventure course to Snyder Park, at 3299 SW 4th Ave. And they moved ahead with plans to allow the YMCA to demolish the Mizell Center at 1409 Sistrunk Blvd. in order to build a $10 million new YMCA center for youth.
Lockhart Stadium
The acreage where the water park was planned is so large that it could be used for an amusement park, a golf driving range, an aviation charter school, or some other entertainment destination, the city’s real estate consultant said.
The land, near Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, north of Commercial Boulevard and west of Interstate 95, was floated as a possible site for a new police station, but commissioners frowned on that idea Tuesday.
Instead, they expressed interest in uses the public could enjoy, or as a place for a charter school. Led by Commissioner Heather Moraitis, city commissioners are investigating the idea of building an aviation charter school there for students sixth grade and up.
The old Lockhart Stadium there is defunct and was awaiting demolition. But commissioners said they still want to explore ideas, including breathing new life into the stadium. Commissioners will decide in December whether to put a $150 million parks bond on the ballot, and commissioners asked the city manager to find out how much it would cost to spruce up Lockhart.
Ken Krasnow, the South Florida executive managing director for Colliers International, the city’s real estate consultant, suggested the city consider two options: lease the entire acreage for
an entertainment use, including an amusement park, concerts and events, or sports; or split the site up and use part of it for aviationrelated businesses and part of it for entertainment, or for the school.
“It’s a well located site,” Krasnow said. “Land is a scarcity here in South Florida. So there’s a lot of demand for this type of site.”
War Memorial
Closer to the city center, the War Memorial Auditorium off U.S. 1 in Holiday Park has attracted interest since commissioners said they no longer want to host a commercial gun show. The possibilities include ice rinks, soccer and live music.
“I’ve always felt it was an underused facility,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Florida Panthers hockey team reiterated its interest in rehabbing the auditorium to add sheets of ice for youth ice skating, plus indoor soccer and lacrosse fields. Attorney John Milledge said the Panthers would use the ice for occasional
team practices.
“The practices would be open to the public,” Milledge said. “That’s kind of ... a cool amenity.”
A live music promoter also wants in on the action. Jeff Chabon of AEG concert promoters said the flat-floor venue would work well for country, rock and “urban” shows.
“This is the perfect size that we’re looking for,” he said.
And the Florida Crushers, a futsal (or five-a-side soccer) organization, also wants to call the auditorium home. They could co-exist with ice rinks, Milledge said.
In other action, Fort Lauderdale commissioners on Tuesday:
Approved a five-year $3.4 million contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. for body cameras and a digital evidence management system. Every police officer from lieutenant on down will be required to wear the cameras when interacting with the public, Police Chief Rick Maglione said. Police captains also will wear them when dealing with the public, such as when working a special detail, he said. The police union supports use of the cameras.
Met in private to discuss the federal litigation filed by Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs, whose volunteers feed homeless people. An appeals court ruled in August that their feedings , which the city tried to stop, are protected under the U.S. Constitution.
Decided the city should hire a search firm to find applicants for city manager. Commissioners terminated the contract of the current manager, and he will leave at the end of the year. Assistant City Manager Chris Lagerbloom is expected to be appointed interim manager, commissioners agreed. He also intends to apply for the permanent job.
Discussed joining litigation against corporations accused of contributing to climate change. EarthRights International is talking with cities about joining the lawsuits. “If there was a way for the city to get any money,” Mayor Trantalis said, “obviously we’re all interested.”