Dania desperate to save its disappearing beach

DANIA BEACH – Sand may soon take over an entire row of parking spaces at the beach.

It’s all part of a $6.8 million project designed to protect the beach from sea level rise and exceptionally high tides known as King Tides.

Desperate to save their disappearing beach, Dania offiaway cials are talking about expanding an existing sand dune another 15 feet west into the parking lot. The project also calls for a sea wall and an elevated parking lot to guard against rising tides.

Commissioner Marco Salvino says the work could be under way as soon as November.

“We’re looking to try to save our beach,” he said. “We’re in a bad situation.”

A $50 million sand renourishment project will puff up beaches in Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale, but it’s at least three years away.

Dania officials say they need to do something now to help protect their coast.

A lifeguard stand nearly toppled after Tropical Storm Alberto hit at the end of May. The pounding waves also swept 150 palm trees and a good portion of Dania’s sand dune.

Not everyone was on board with the plan.

Mayor Tamara James said she wanted to look at other options.

“When we speak of moving this parking lot back, that is land we will never get back,” she said during a recent meetpretty