Page 30 - RV0925

Mayor’s Message

s we head from summer toward fall, the city is approaching an annual
event that is incredibly important to our local economy – the Fort
ALauderdale International Boat Show.
The show is the world’s largest in-water boat show and results annually in an
estimated $1.79 billion economic impact. That’s not just the sale of yachts and
marine equipment and goods, but the money that visitors plow into hotels,
restaurants, entertainment and other shopping while in town.

We are again expecting some 100,000 people to attend the Boat Show over
its five-day run between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. The event really showcases Fort
Lauderdale as the yachting capital of the world, and this year, visitors can expect
Dean Trantalis to see some exciting developments.
MAYOR
City of Fort Lauderdale The city and its management partner, Suntex Marinas celebrated the opening of
dtrantalis@fortlauderdale.gov
the expanded and upgraded Las Olas Marina as part of last year’s show. The top-
of-the-line facility has continued to build out since, with the opening of the Ocean
Prime restaurant earlier this year. The marina, which doubled the dockage capacity
and created a unique experience for the yachting community, has regularly been
filled with customers since the opening.
As they walk between sections of the Boat Show, attendees should also check out
the improvements we made to D.C. Alexander Park. Following on the heels of the
creation of Oceanside Park, D.C. Alexander now hosts an iconic structure that
serves as an observatory overlooking our beautiful beach.
City of Fort Lauderdale
1 E. Broward Blvd., Ste. 444 More than that, three key locations of the Boat Show are undergoing transformations.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Pier 66, including its rotating rooftop restaurant and luxury marina, has reopened
after a major renovation and offers several new waterfront restaurants. Broward
County will have completed its expansion of its convention center. The expanded
center boasts more than 1.2 million-square-feet of space.
And, the developers of Bahia Mar are moving forward with plans they negotiated
with the city that will include a five-star St. Regis Resort and four luxury condo
towers. The plans refresh the Bahia Mar site, but also guarantee the Boat Show
a permanent home and should bring the city almost $1 billion in revenue of the
lifespan of our agreement.

Office Contact Before I close allow me a minute to discuss the city’s budget plans for next year.
Scott Wyman
I’m pleased to say that we will once again keep our millage rate the same. This
Chief of Staff to the Mayor
swyman@fortlauderdale.gov marks 19 years in a row that we have not raised rates – something no other city in
954.828.5314 the area has accomplished. The average tax rate across Broward County’s cities
have gone up 37 percent in the same period.

The proposed budget also includes a major reorganization of city agencies.
Overall, we expect better accountability to result from the reorganization.
One major aspect of the restructuring improves how the city delivers large-
scale capital investments. We have a lot of work underway in the city from park
improvements to better water, sewer and stormwater systems. The new Capital
Improvements Department will exclusively be in charge of these initiatives –
focusing on engineering, design and construction.

28 The Landings & Bay Colony

8/28/25 5:36 PM
RV 0925.indd 28 8/28/25 5:36 PM
RV 0925.indd 28