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City Bond Issues continued

community space where residents and officers could work together on
crime prevention and safety initiatives.
The parks bond would enable Fort Lauderdale to make significant
citywide investments in our parks system to strengthen resiliency,
address sea level rise, combat flooding, and mitigate the effects of
climate change. Nearly every park in our City would see upgrades
and enhancements such as new playgrounds, walking trails, pools and
splash pads, boat slips and ramps, outdoor fitness equipment, athletic
courts and fields, lighting, solar panels and shade structures, pavilions,
restrooms, ADA improvements and even new dog parks.

Funding from the parks bond would also be used for land acquisition
to expand our green space and help us continue to promote active,
healthy lifestyles, increase leisure and social engagement, and
enhance quality of life.
A portion of the parks bond would fund signature projects in each
Commission District including constructing Tunnel Top Park in District 4
atop the northern portion of the Kinney Tunnel above Federal Highway;
rehabilitating Lockhart Stadium and developing the surrounding
property in District 1; adding a water playground, tennis courts; sand
volleyball courts, and a parking garage to Holiday Park in District 2;
and building a new community center and other enhancements at
Joseph C. Carter Park in District 3.
If approved, the bonds would bring more than $300 million in much-
needed public safety and parks and recreation improvements to our
City, strengthen our economic viability and livability, and enhance our
stature as a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.
Additionally, a proposal to update our City’s Charter will appear on
the March 12 ballot. The Charter Amendments, if approved, would
move our City’s elections from March to November, beginning in
2020, to align with Presidential election years. Primary elections
would be eliminated and the terms of the Mayor and Commissioners
would be increased from three years to four years. These changes
would bring our City in line with the majority of municipalities in
Broward County.

Keep an eye out for future updates and ways that you can participate
in the process. In addition, please be aware of the following important
dates related to the Special Election. Voter registration for the March
12 Special Election closes on February 11. To register to vote, visit the
Broward County Supervisor of Elections’ website at
www.browardsoe.org or call (954) 357-7050. If you prefer to vote by
mail, you may request a vote-by-mail ballot from the Broward County
Supervisor of Elections. The request may be made in person, by mail,
by telephone, or online. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is
March 6. For more information, visit www.browardsoe.org or call the
Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office at (954) 357-7050.

20 The Landings & Bay Colony