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President’s Message

Las Olas Association

reetings and Happy Spring from must first love the people. That could not be
world famous Las Olas Boulevard! more apparent as we had the largest field
GOnce again, the community went of candidates ever to run for the Las Olas
to the polls to confirm that we want a Association Board of Directors. Because of
higher quality of life and we are willing to our efforts and commitment, we have some
pay for it. We committed a new penny of the finest people in Fort Lauderdale, who
sales tax to better mobility. We love Fort Lauderdale, AND love Las Olas,
overwhelmingly passed the two bond serving on the LOA Board of Directors.
initiatives to pay for a state-of-the-art police For the first time in many years, it would
station and city-wide parks improvements.
seem we are all on the same page: seeking
It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale is a City a better quality of life while seeking
on the rise, literally! Construction zones all improvements to Las Olas and downtown
around the downtown and Las Olas are mobility in general!! This is a great feeling,
giving birth to a city filled with diversity. and THIS is where we start to see REAL
change. Our smartphones install upgrades
With the influx of new residents comes new
Luke Moorman regularly. They do this to improve quality,
opportunity and a new way of life…more President,
traffic, more people, more business, more The Las Olas Association efficiency and reflect changing technology.
workers, more cars, more waste…more, It is now time for us to do the same as a
more, more! city and as individual residents.

Las Olas Boulevard, once forgotten in city circles and left In the vein of upgrades… it is with much pride that we bid
to fend for itself in the private sector, is now at the center farewell to our Executive Director for the past six years.
of multiple conversations, discussions, groups, and action! Amber VanBuren joined us in 2013 and hit the ground
The Parks Bond may prove key in the streetscape project with a zeal that took many by surprise. She has never
as well as adding a NEW greenspace for the community. stopped as a tireless champion for all things Las Olas
Tunnel Top Park, already well-researched and designed, Boulevard and we are grateful for her service. Amber
could add some much-needed connectivity over the tunnel moves on (upgrades) into a NEW position at Broward
at SE 6th Ave/E. Las Olas and eliminate blind spots for County Visitors and Convention Bureau and will be
guests entering and exiting Federal Highway. The Las missed. We wish her well and we look forward to finding
Olas Working group created by our City Commissioners is our own “system upgrade” for the Las Olas Association.
seeking to redesign Las Olas to accommodate the NEW
city on the rise and provide better mobility for everyone.
Vice Mayor Sorensen is already looking to make some Luke Moorman
short-term aesthetic improvements to Las Olas to aid in the Jewelry Designer | Luke@CarrollsJewelers.com
President, The Las Olas Association
process of realizing a vision for a better tomorrow.
What we see as a common denominator in all these
conversations and all the new groups forming is a love for
the city of Fort Lauderdale and a desire to want what is
best for all people. It is said that to lead the people you

10 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES