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Downtown Update

Planta

Catching Up with Charlie JENNI MOREJON: Anything else you would like to highlight?
CHARLIE LADD: Our success wouldn’t be possible without
JENNI MOREJON: What project are you most proud of? the leadership from the city and my peers. The growth of the

CHARLIE LADD: PLANTA recently opened in our recently Flagler Village neighborhood wouldn’t have been possible
developed project on Las Olas. The restaurant along with without the vision and leadership of Peter Feldman. I call him
the adjoining tenants have brought the energy and vitality the godfather of Flagler Village. Compared to his impact on
of Las Olas Boulevard further east. The building is beautiful Flagler, my success on both Federal and Las Olas was easy. So
and the entire block is a great example as to what all of Las much of our recent success, in a way, has happened because
Olas could look like with the completion of the contemplated of fortuitous timing. Either the right projects got approved at the
streetscape upgrades being pursued by the merchants, right time or the projects wrong for the Downtown such as car
neighborhood, and the city. dealerships in the middle of Flagler didn’t make it to the finish
line. We live in the middle of an amazing success story that
JENNI MOREJON: What has surprised you the most about the
evolution of DowntownFTL? relatively few people have yet to fully grasp.
CHARLIE LADD: 25 years ago no one would have thought ABOUT THE AUTHOR
that Downtown Fort Lauderdale would ever have so much Jenni Morejon is the President
residential. When I started developing, both Federal Highway & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale
and the area that would become Flagler Village were Downtown Development
blighted, businesses were abandoned, and there was no new Authority (DDA), a public-
investment in the neighborhood. The growth we have seen, private partnership that powers
and the evolution of the city, is a testament to the fact that so the experience, growth, and
many people want to be here. prosperity of Downtown Fort
Lauderdale. The DDA focuses
JENNI MOREJON: What are you most excited about for the on growing DowntownFTL with
future of DowntownFTL?
major investments in real estate,
CHARLIE LADD: Now that we have all this residential, I’m infrastructure, and transportation;
excited to see all the new amenities that will come to downtown improving public spaces like
over the next few years to service all of our residents. We have streets and parks for all to enjoy;
a chance to do amazing new restaurants and retail stores, and connecting the city through partnerships that celebrate
along with wonderful streetscapes and parks. On Las Olas, I’m community.
excited for how new retail brands and dining options like Etta
and Lululemon will elevate the street’s appeal.

24 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES

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