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Mayor’s Message

I hope everyone’s 2019 is off to a great start.

t the City of Fort Lauderdale, we have some important decisions ahead. The
City Commission has agreed to ask voters whether we should undertake two
Asignificant community improvements — replacing our police station and
upgrading our park system.
These two bond issues represent a great opportunity for us to improve our
recreational offerings as well as ensure our law enforcement is given a facility that
will best help in their efforts to defeat crime in our city. Public safety and a vibrant
network of parks are cornerstones of ensuring we provide a great quality of life for
our diverse and growing population.

The parks bond totals $200 million and includes four signature projects involving
Holiday Park, Joseph Carter Park, Lockhart Stadium and a new park above Federal
Highway at the Kinney Tunnel. We have not made a major investment in our park
system since 1993.
If voters approve the bond, we would upgrade and modernize all park buildings,
Dean Trantalis enhance lighting throughout the parks to improve visibility and safety, as well as
Mayor make enhancements to signage and landscaping. Parks will be redesigned to make
the best use of the available land, and there are even plans to utilize rooftop areas
as recreation space.
We will add shade structures to outdoor courts to improve their use year-around.
All parks will be brought into compliance with disability standards. Wellness
opportunities will be expanded with more outdoor exercise stations and more
walking and jogging trails.
We will begin new initiatives, such as LauderTrail — a network of trails for both
pedestrians and bicyclists on existing right-of-way throughout the city. We also will
open more dog parks and partner with the School District to open school property
during non-school hours with upgrades to the recreational options there.
Money would also be set aside to try to acquire new park sites in underserved areas.
The other ballot measure is the construction of a new police station. The city would
seek $100 million to undertake this project. The current headquarters is 60 years
old is considered obsolete. It’s too small to accommodate the current size of our
police force and does not meet modern standards of what a police station needs.
There are technology limitations and limited storage. Personnel are squeezed into
insufficient space. The Bureau of Investigations, a key part of the Police Department,
is located two miles away because there is not enough space on site. Elevators and
restrooms do not meet current code. Some restrooms even lack hot water.
There is no fire sprinkler system in the building. Water and sewer leaks in the
basement raise the possibility of mold and mildew. The air conditioning is so
decrepit that condensed water must be manually emptied daily because there is no
drainage to accommodate it.
The parks and police bonds will be voted on separately during a March 12
election. I encourage everyone to study these important matters carefully and
remember to vote. RV
Sincerely,

Dean Trantalis
CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE Mayor
22 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com