Port Everglades plans a new branding campaign
From David Volz
Port Everglades, a global gateway for cruise vacations and trade, is unleashing a new three-pronged branding campaign to differentiate its strengths from those of Florida’s natural wonder, Everglades National Park.
A mighty trident against a backdrop of waves will symbolize Port Everglades’ three main business sectors – cruise, cargo and energy – and the Port’s three core values of strength, resilience and sustainability.
The waves not only illustrate the ocean, but also closely mirror Visit Lauderdale’s logo for a symbiotic look and feel between Broward County’s economic leaders.
“Poseidon and Neptune used a trident to demonstrate their strength, and Port Everglades is now using the iconic symbol to convey a strong message about who we are as a leader on the ocean and in economic development,” said CEO and Port Director Jonathan Daniels.
Port Everglades conducted studies of its Port customers, the public and staff who identified name recognition as the Port’s top marketing issue. After testing several designs, Port Everglades chose the icon of ocean strength to differentiate itself from the Everglades.
“Our economic enterprises – Port Everglades, Visit Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – need a higher presence in today’s competitive global marketplace,” said Broward County Mayor Lamar P. Fisher. “Port Everglades is a powerful economic generator for our community and needs to stand out in the forefront of the business world.”
Agreement made on Huizenga Plaza
From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale Commission agreed to a major contract during a recent meeting.
The City Commission adopted a resolution to approve an agreement between the City and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in the maximum of $5 million over seven years or one-third of the total capital costs for a project to improve Huizenga Plaza. The funds would be used to reimagine and revitalize Huizenga Plaza, which was built in 1996, and include upgrades to the plaza and Riverwalk. Additionally, improvements would be made to improve access, connectivity, visibility, safety, and overall usability for the public. Under this agreement, the City would provide the DDA with an annual payment in the amount of $100,000 for operations, maintenance, and programming of the park. The approval of the agreement is contingent upon the completion of a traffic study, and the DDA working with City staff to rezone the property after the project is constructed among other items.
Commissioner Steve Glassman is pleased this new development. “A significant change that was recently enacted in the agreement is protecting this green space as a park in perpetuity. This will be accomplished with a restrictive covenant on the land. This improved public park space together with the city approved One Stop ArtsPark in Flagler Village will add to our city’s impressive network on downtown public spaces,” said Glassman.
The City Commission approved, upon second reading, and adopted an ordinance to amend the Non-Bargaining Unit Classification Table of the Pay Plan by creating the new classification of Deputy City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney may be granted the responsibility to perform the duties and functions of the City Attorney during the absence of the City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney will perform other duties as assigned by the City Attorney and may be suspended, demoted, or removed by the City Attorney.
The City Commission approved, upon first reading, an ordinance to amend sections of the City’s Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR). The ordinance addresses resiliency standards for tidal flood protection by raising the minimum height of seawalls and tidal barriers to comply with county-wide standards. The Commission requested that City staff conduct public outreach efforts for full transparency and awareness prior to bringing in the item for second reading.
