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“We are excited to create a venue that will further activate
the Riverwalk and will be a great spot for families, locals
and tourists to enjoy and explore the Riverwalk district,”
says Dev Motwani, CEO of Merrimac Ventures. “We are
confident that this new development will help to further
solidify Fort Lauderdale’s place as South Florida’s next big
dining, entertainment and arts destination.”

Riverwalk Water Trolley expands service. In an effort to meet
the increasing demand for boat travel from Fort Lauderdale’s
neighbors and visitors, the free Riverwalk Water Trolley has
partnered with the Water Taxi and extended the daily
operating hours, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. “With
approximately 50,000 passengers per year, the Riverwalk
Water Trolley has become a local favorite,” said Robyn
Chiarelli, Executive Director of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Transportation Management Association, which manages the
services on behalf of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
“From the earliest days of Frank Stranahan, the New River
has been a key mode of transportation in Fort
The Wharf Ft. Lauderdale, a sister location to the popular Lauderdale,” said Mayor Dean J. Trantalis. The Water
Miami River version, The Wharf Miami, will be coming to Trolley operates seven-days a week and stops at eight
20 West Las Olas Boulevard on 1.25 acres of property on different points along the New River: Esplanade Park,
the Riverfront. Like the Miami location, The Wharf Fort Riverfront Plaza, Huizenga Plaza, Laura Ward Riverwalk
Lauderdale will be multifaceted and offer plenty of space Plaza, Smoker Park, South Andrews Business District East,
to kick back and enjoy the waterfront views while enjoying South Andrews Business District West, and Tarpon River.
the different bar options and sampling bites from some of To ride the Riverwalk Water Trolley, wait at one of the
the most sought-after food trucks and chefs in the area. The eight designated stops and a vessel will come by to pick
Wharf’s founder, Emi Guerra, has partnered with CEO of you up. Guests may also download the free Trolley
Merrimac Ventures, Dev Motwani, and CEO of Barreto Tracker App on their Apple or Android device so they can
Group, Rodney Barreto, to bring the new project to life. track the Water Trolley in real time.
“We have seen the way The Wharf Miami has resonated “Water Taxi remains committed to the city’s growth and
with both locals and visitors and how it has helped to expansion,” said William ‘Bill’ Walker, CEO of Water
elevate and drive attention to the area it now calls home, Taxi. “We are pleased to partner with Riverwalk Water
so we jumped at the chance to create something equally Trolley for these extended trips to bring even more
as dynamic in Fort Lauderdale,” says Guerra. residents and guests to Las Olas Boulevard.”

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