If ArtsPark is my legacy, I’m proud of it

I want to thank the Sun Sentinel for calling ArtsPark part of my legacy. With two-thirds of the three-acre site open space and park land, almost a quarter of a billion dollars in financial benefits to the city (it is in the fine print, as well as the Ernst & Young and Colliers reports), a gathering place for cuisine and casual visits, and a true 21st Century cultural center, I was proud to vote yes.

In fact, it was an almost-unanimous 4-1 vote, with even my dissenting colleague saying she liked the project. She wanted a skate park on the site, but we could not find a place for it. I hope it can be built at the InterMiami park we are all excited about at the site of the former Lockhart Stadium.

Back to ArtsPark. While there have been many opinions provided, facts are the reason I voted for the project, with the support of so many in Flagler Village, my district, and around Fort Lauderdale. Of course there was opposition — there always is. But the Sun Sentinel’s opposition ignored the many voices who support ArtsPark, especially those within Flagler Village.

Its almost obsessive focus on not just the proposal, but the people involved, helped instigate personal, nasty attacks that backfired. Just look on social media pages; the attacks are still there. It makes me sad anyone would go that far. Our community is better than that.

Contrary to what has been written in print time and again, this is no giveaway. To the contrary, ArtsPark is a solid deal for the taxpayers. On property valued at $35 million, the city will receive more than $137 million, as confirmed by the respected Colliers International, while retaining ownership. Yes, the city will continue to own all the property. Additionally, the $100 million-plus private investment in new, architecturally-breathtaking buildings, world class park space and improvements will immediately become the property of the city as soon as they are built.

It is spelled out clearly in the agreement — even if a small group of loud voices suggest otherwise. To answer the Sun Sentinel’s question as to why we did not demand a cut of the revenue, it is because we negotiated a far safer, guaranteed revenue stream to the city without downside and liability.

About the open space and park land, it is a guaranteed $10 million investment at no cost to the taxpayers. What about operations and maintenance? An estimated $15 million will be paid completely by ArtsPark. Facts are facts, and these are all in the agreement.

I appreciated it when the

Sun Sentinel called me a “most enthusiastic champion of the project” in their March 17 editorial because I know it will be a transformative addition to

Fort Lauderdale. Unique and cosmopolitan, ArtsPark will be a wonderful public asset for our residents and a compelling draw for visitors from around the world.

One last detail, because details are my thing. The Sun Sentinel asked, “What’s the rush?” This proposal certainly was not rushed. Discussed around town for close to four years, the initial vote was considered for July 2021, but recognizing continued dialogue with the community and stakeholders could improve the proposal, I insisted we slow down the normal P3 process.

In the end, the final vote came more than eight months later, in March 2022. Of course, now the standard regulatory development review process begins, with no shortcuts, continued public input, and transparency for the public all along the way.

To the last point in that March 17 editorial: Yes, I hope ArtsPark will be a “pivotal issue” in the next election. It is a great idea that will be even better when it becomes real.

Steve Glassman