The Landings & Bay Colony
6
Mayor’s Message
John P, “Jack” Seiler
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
A
s we wrap up 2014 and head full steam into the New Year, it is truly an exciting
time to be in our city.
Guided by the principles and values embodied in our Citywide Vision and Strategic
Plan, Fort Lauderdale is building community, enhancing quality of life, strengthening
civic engagement, and creating a healthy, active, inclusive, and sustainable
community.
Our economic resurgence continues to make headlines. Property values rose 6.9%,
marking the third consecutive year of growth, while home sales and prices
strengthened. Unemployment dropped to 4.8%, the lowest in South Florida and well
below the state and national averages. Our area has seen 60 consecutive months of
tourism growth, highlighted by a record-breaking 14 million visitors who pumped
more than $11 billion into our economy during the past year.
The marine industry is surging on the heels of one of its most successful Boat Show’s
in history, film production is at an all-time high, gas prices are at their lowest levels in
nearly six years, and new construction is booming fueled by more than $1 billion in
private sector investment.
Major infrastructure projects have been completed at Port Everglades,
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, I-595 expressway, and the
Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Progress continues to be made on game-
changing initiatives including: The Wave; All Aboard Florida; Schlitterbahn
Waterpark; Aquatics Complex; Uptown District; and enhancements to Sistrunk
Boulevard, Riverwalk and Fort Lauderdale Beach, all of which will collectively
redefine Fort Lauderdale’s future.
The strong performance of our key economic engines is generating national media
attention, including a recent profile in The Wall Street Journal highlighting Fort
Lauderdale’s renaissance. In addition, we are receiving top rankings for outstanding
economic development, sustainability, transportation, technology, recreation, travel
and leisure, and quality-of-life initiatives. Our accolades include:
All-America City - National Civic League
Top 10 Best Downtowns- Livability.com
Top 10 Most Exciting Places in Florida- Movoto National Real Estate
Top 10 Most Exciting Mid-Sized Cities- Movoto National Real Estate
Top 10 American Dream Cities- Xavier University and The Burghard Group
Top 10 Greenest Mid-Sized Cities- MyLife.com
Top 10 Best U.S. Cities for Small Businesses- Biz2Credit.com
Top 10 Best Cities to Move to- SML National Moving
Top 10 Small American Cities of the Future- Foreign Direct Investment Magazine
Top 10 Most Physically Attractive Mid-Sized Cities- Movoto National Real Estate
Top 10 Best Places for Veterans to Live- Best Places for Veterans Report
Top 10 Best Cities for Parking- NerdWallet.com
Top 10 Great Cities for Family Vacations- Vacation Critic Travel Planning Guide
Top 10 Most Affordable Summer Destinations- GoBankingRates.com
Top 10 Best Fourth of July Fireworks Shows- USA Today
Top 10 Best Places to Retire- Money Magazine
Top Ranked City for Hispanic Entrepreneurship Rate- WalletHub
Economic Resurgence Signals Bright Outlook for 2015