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Mayor’s Message continued

Both Lockhart and Fort Lauderdale Stadium have already Mega-yacht marina planned
been demolished to make way for the new facilities. The In addition to the soccer complex, the city has moved
team fully expects to be playing major league soccer on ahead with another major initiative — the expansion of the
site next spring. Alongside the new 18,000-seat stadium, Las Olas Marina. The City Commission approved the final
there will be soccer fields for the team’s youth training terms with Suntex Marinas to reshape the marina to handle
academy. For the public, plans include additional sports more yachts as well as larger yachts. This has been a long
fields, a signature city park and a home football field for time coming to fruition.
Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan high schools since they It was some five years ago that as the district commissioner
currently have none.
I first championed the idea along with leaders of our
Fort Lauderdale acted quickly and decisively to secure an maritime community. We believed the marina was under-
arrangement that moves our city to the next level as a utilized and should be expanded. After all, Fort Lauderdale
quality place to live. This is a visionary agreement that is one of the world’s premier yachting capitals. The marina
enhances Fort Lauderdale globally. doubles in size to some 6,000 lineal feet of dockage with
68 boat slips, a shop, two restaurants and amenities for
I would like to thank David Beckham and his partners,
Miami business executives Jorge and Jose Mas, for marina guests. Part of the existing city parking lot will be
bringing this possibility to our city. We look forward to a excavated to accommodate the extra dockage.
long future with them. Countless hours have gone into designing the plans to be
as unobtrusive as possible to the surrounding residents.
Changes actually were made just before the final vote to
better protect view corridors and to enhance traffic flow in
the area. I applaud Commissioner Glassman for working
out these compromises after he was elected
to replace me as the District 2 commissioner.
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In closing, I hope everyone has a great
summer. Enjoy time with your family and
friends. AOE, please remember we do live in
the tropics and that we must keep a watchful
eye on the weather forecast. Please make
sure you are prepared in the unfortunate
event a hurricane does approach us.
Sincerely,

Dean Trantalis
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

12 The Landings & Bay Colony