Fort Lauderdale Commission choses to support the tunnel project
From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale Commission approved some major projects during a recent meeting. It chose to support a major tunnel project.
At the evening Regular Meeting, the City Commission approved, by a 3-2 vote, a resolution that rescinded a prior City Commission action urging the Florida Department of Transportation to recommend the construction of a tunnel as the sole Locally Preferred Alternative. In its place, the City Commission approved a new resolution affirming a tunnel under the New River as the City’s locally preferred alternative for the rail crossing and recognizes Broward County as the lead agency for obtaining funding and operation of this portion of the project and supports the county in advancing a mid-level bascule drawbridge if a tunnel is not feasible. Two members of the Commission voted against the new resolution and expressed a desire to keep the previous resolution in place, without the bridge as a concession option. The City also approved an agreement with BDO USA, P.C. for consulting services to develop the project scope for the New River Crossing project and will continue to firm up estimates and viability factors for the tunnel alternative. The City Commission also urged staff and the vendor to work with the County and present all findings for future joint meetings between the City and County. Commissioner Steve Glassman opposed it. “This new resolution weakens the City’s position in collaborating with the County, and has the potential to physically harm our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. We have our work cut out for us to convince the County that the tunnel is our locally preferred alternative,” he said.
The Commission approved an Affordable Housing Development Agreement and Assumption of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Inc. Habitat for Humanity has proposed to develop a townhouse community with 20 affordable residential units at 1040 NW 20th Street. Habitat for Humanity will restrict all the units within the development to those who are considered extremely low-income, less than 30% of the area median income, low-income, less than 80% of the area median income, and moderate-income less than 120% of the area median income.
The Commission approved a resolution to provide notice of its decision to accept an unsolicited proposal from Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale, LLC to construct, operate, and maintain a water taxi terminal on city-owned property at 1001 Seabreeze Boulevard. The project includes space for the dockmaster, a ticket office, a waiting area, a public restaurant, and an event space. Final approval of the project is subject to entering into a comprehensive agreement with Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale and the City.
The Commission approved a lease agreement with Oakland Park Bays, LLC for $1.8 million over 61 months. The lease agreement for 15,772 square feet of warehouse space at 4120 NW 10th Avenue will be used for fire logistics and fire vehicle storage. The fire logistics team ensures that Fire Rescue units are adequately equipped with the necessary vehicles and equipment to effectively serve the community. Fire logistics and fleet services currently operate in a facility that lacks indoor storage space.
The Commission adopted a resolution to accept a grant of $200,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. The funds will be used to assist with the renovation of Bass Park, including the renovation of the park’s pool and the construction of a playground splash pad and fitness station. The City will match the grant with an additional $200,000.
The Commission approved a change order for approximately $590,000 and an additional 90 calendar days for the Las Olas Undergrounding of Overhead Utilities project. The project involves converting existing overhead electrical and communication utilities to underground in Las Olas Isles. The change order addresses overruns and reductions caused by multiple transformer relocations based on residents’ needs, differences between estimated and actual conduit/wire footages needed, number of vault/hand hole installations, and additional work necessary because of plan revisions and field conditions. As of December 7, 60 of 322 homes have been connected via the underground system.
The Commission approved the authorization of a three-year agreement with the School Board of Broward County, Florida, for a School Resource Officer Program by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The City assigns 10 law enforcement officers to serve as school resource officers at nine schools. The School Board of Broward County, Florida, contributes $10,300 per officer each month for a total of approximately $3.1 million over the three years of the agreement.
Major freight carrier selects Port Everglades as Port of Call
From David Volz
CMA CGM, a world leader in refrigerated ocean transport, has Port Everglades as the only American port of call on its new CEIBA Express service. The direct weekly service between the U.S. and Latin America will bring produce and dry goods to households throughout the nation. Florida International Terminal (FIT) is the marine terminal operator handling this service at Port Everglades.
“Port Everglades’ unparalleled access to the interstate highway system and the Florida East Coast Railway’s near-dock, 43-acre Intermodal Container Transfer Facility allows us to attract and assist global cargo services like the CEIBA Express,” said Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades CEO and Port Director. “Pair our world-ranked operational efficiencies with the infrastructure investments being made by our port and terminal operators like Florida International Terminal, and it’s clear why Port Everglades is the port of choice.”
The first CEIBA Express roundtrip delivery is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2024, on the merchant vessel Hansa Salzburg from Puerto Cortes, Honduras. The rotation, announced by CMA CGM this week, includes:
