The Croissant Park Civic Association: 2013

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Monitor lizard

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The next meeting for the Croissant Park neighborhood is Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Community Center.

Agenda:

1. Crime Report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Dept neighborhood officers.
2. Speaker - 211program.
3. Approval of the slate of officers for the 2014 Board of Directors.
4. Dessert - bring your favorite Thanksgiving dessert with a copy of the recipe for neighbors to taste and possibly try at their own Thanksgiving dinner.
5. 50/50 contest.

There will probably be other topics of conversation - perhaps something you would like to discuss. See you there.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Neighborhood Yard Sale

National Recycle Day is November 15, 2013. To recognize this event the Croissant Park Civic Association is organizing a Neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, November 16th, 2013. Hopefully this will be the First Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale and we will do it again each year.

Neighborhood wide Yard Sale

Where: at your house

Donation of $10 to the Croissant Park Civic Association -

P.O. Box 13117, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

You will get your address on the map / list - and signs put out for your street

You will also get an ad in the paper

contact me - at loren.colburn@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Croissant Park General Meeting September 2013

Hi Neighbors

Our September meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:05pm. Board members in attendance were Pat, Rhonda, Heather, Karla, Michelle, Joe and Virginia.

Officer Stevens

Officer Dejo

FLPD Officers Stevens and Dejo were there to fill us in on the recent crime activities in our neighborhood. Ofc. Stevens reported that since our last General meeting in May there have been seven residential burglaries, five vehicle break-ins and one stolen scooter. We are reminded once again that leaving valuables in plain sight in our cars is an invitation for a smash-and-grab robbery. These kind of vehicle break-ins are common in the cemetery. Do the smart thing and put your valuables out of sight when you leave the car. And don’t forget to lock. When the question was raised as to why we don’t see as many FLPD cars patrolling our streets, Ofc. Stevens said that there are more unmarked cars patrolling now and that they have put a bigger presence of patrol cars out west of us where the crime is more rampant. They will begin moving eastward to our neighborhood again. Regarding people speeding through our streets, she told us they are using radar to catch them, but they have to actually be there when the speeding occurs. They cannot give a ticket if a witness sees a speeder and reports the tag number. One neighbor who lives near the cemetery reported that there is a chronic speeder who detours through the cemetery on a regular basis. Ofc. Stevens made note of that complaint and indicated that they will be on the lookout. Car thefts are down now that school is back in session, as the majority of thefts reported were being done by juveniles. Ofc. Stevens suggested that we put an X through our license tag decal with a razor knife to prevent theft of the decal. Also, don’t leave all the old decals on from year to year, as that makes it easier to peel the top one off.

Bob Vick & Eric Fernandez

Our next speakers were Robert Vick and Eric Fernandez, developer and architect respectively, of the SW 15th Street cluster home project. They plan to build four, 2-story rental units, 2 bedroom/21/2 baths each, with room to park 3 cars per unit. When asked what the units would rent for we were told they would be in the neighborhood of $1400-1800/month. A question was raised about the need for a variance for the project and we were told that no variance is required and that all is reportedly in compliance with Planning and Zoning. One member asked if the parking area would be paved with impervious pavers and Mr. Vick replied that they are not sure at this time what materials will be used. Someone else asked about the mature oak trees on the property and we were informed that one will be removed for the driveway and two will remain. Another neighbor disapproved of the enormity of the building and how it would affect the neighbors. Several neighbors voiced concerns about maintaining the integrity of our neighborhood of single-family homes, and are worried that we are losing the battle.

C.E.R.T.

Ray Dettman from CERT, Ft. Lauderdale’s Community Emergency Response Team was our next speaker. He outlined the free training program offered to prepare citizens like us to respond to emergencies in our own neighborhoods. First responders often need assistance from trained volunteers after a disaster and that volunteer could be you. The training course consists of many components, including, but not limited to, basic first aid, fire suppression, performing light search and rescue, and triage. The training sessions are conducted on two consecutive Saturdays at Station 53 at Executive Airport. The next session will be held on October 26th and November 2nd. Call (954) 828-6700 to reserve a spot.

A motion was made and seconded to oppose the SW 15th Street project. There was a discussion that followed; someone pointed out that two single-family homes could be built on that lot. Another person pointed out that there will be many new rentals on the market soon and the competition could lower the rents for these units. Someone else suggested that a committee be formed to explore the project and present their concerns to the Planning and Zoning board. A hand vote was taken, and of the 26 people in the auditorium, 13 voted in favor of the motion. Because it was not a majority, the motion failed.

The annual Halloween party will be held at the Community Center on October 26 from 4-6pm. Volunteers are always welcome to help out with the fun and games. The kids in their costumes are a hoot--you could even be a judge in the costume contest. We have received some candy and cash contributions for the party.

Steve Cook announced that we received a grant to fund our tree project and the signs that remind dog owners to pick up after their dogs.

Surveillance signs--an informal vote was taken and it was established that there is interest in displaying signs around the neighborhood that alert would-be burglars and other law breakers of the surveillance cameras throughout the area. Many neighbors have installed cameras to burglar-proof their homes. We will look into the legality of posting these signs at our entryways to Croissant Park; they have proven to be deterrents in other neighborhoods.

Nominations for the Croissant Park Board are open. All Board members wish to remain onboard and we have a nomination for a new member--Manuel “Manny” Carrera. Voting will take place at the October meeting.

Rhonda has posted a link on Nextdoor to access the crime statistics for the area. This website contains all the crime data for the past few years. Look it up if you are interested in comparing our neighborhood’s crime with other areas. Here it is again--

http://www.flpd.gov/index.aspx?page=58

The 50/50 raffle was won by Chris Falkenhagen. Congratulations, Chris.

Pat Rathburn

Chris Falkenhagen

Hope everyone enjoyed the pizzas. Coffee was supplied by Expresso on Andrews Ave. Thank you, Susie!

We hope to see everyone at the October 29th meeting. Stay tuned to Nextdoor and Facebook for more information about that meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.

Minutes by Virginia- CPCA Secretary

Sunday, June 9, 2013

SoLO - South of Las Olas

Is SoLO district in Fort Lauderdale's future?

By Larry Barszewski, Sun Sentinel

June 8, 2013

Never heard of the trendy hotspot?

Don't be surprised someday if you're in Fort Lauderdale and get a hankering to go SoLO.

Maybe that's because right now it exists only in the mind of a businessman who's got plans for an upscale billiards place — "It's kind of like Blue Martini meets old pool hall," he says — and a similarly fashionable bowling alley on South Andrews Avenue.

SoLO — South of Las Olas — would be an entertainment and retail alternative to Las Olas or Himmarshee in the downtown area. The area would extend along Andrews from Las Olas to State Road 84, with its heart from Davie Boulevard to 17th Street.

"I think it's about time something happened on this side of town," said ex-yachtie William Dixon, enjoying an afternoon draft at Tap 42, a popular 11/2 -year-old bar and restaurant that's considered a model for what's possible on South Andrews.

"When Tap 42 was going in, it was like 'Wow. This is a great place. We don't have to go to Las Olas to have a drink,'" said Patricia Rathburn, who lives in nearby Croissant Park. "I think something else there that will bring people to South Andrews at night and make it more lively will be great for the area."

Enter Michael Rechter, CEO of Integra, a real estate and entertainment company that has developed shopping centers in Vero Beach and Stuart, each having the bowling and pool-hall concepts he's planning to bring to the SoLO district he envisions.

"We are going to have some interesting things to offer to people in Fort Lauderdale who five years ago wouldn't have even of thought of that area," Rechter said. "What we'd like to do is prime the pump."

Rechter is not the first to see the area's potential. The part of the avenue south of the Tarpon River was originally developed as a retail corridor in the 1930s and Tap 42 replaced Brownie's Tavern, which had been Broward's oldest bar before closing in 2009.

A group of local businesses formed the South Andrews Business Association more than a decade ago and pushed for a redevelopment plan for the blighted area that was finally approved by commissioners in 2010. It is designed to create a mix of homes, offices and shops and has relaxed parking requirements to entice businesses to the area.

Development of the area — near Broward Health Medical Center — also stands to benefit from the Wave, a $142.6 million electric streetcar project that will run down South Andrews and initially connect it with Las Olas and the Flagler Village community to the north.

"It's a much better street since we opened," Tap 42 co-owner Sean McMackin said. "It was absolutely horrible when we first came down here."

Rechter plans a Stix Billiards in the vacant, church-like, former firefighters union hall at Andrews and Fifteenth Street, a block south of Tap 42, and he hopes to finalize a location for his proposed bowling alley this week.

While Rechter anticipates opening the billiards hall by the end of the year, McMackin said that might be too ambitious given the various zoning, building and utility issues that come with an older area.

"What we thought would be an easy thing to do, change an old bar into a nice new bar, took a lot longer than expected," McMackin said. "It took us two years."

Rechter's Oakland Park-based company is taking the long view on SoLO and not expecting overnight change. He's looking for where the area will be in a decade, hoping it can follow a path like the SoHo district in New York or Wynwood in Miami.

"We'll take whatever space we possibly can and bring art, entertainment, dining to it," Rechter said. "Now, even though it's early still, I don't believe it's too early."

Raymond Dettman, president of the Poinciana Park Civic Association, is eager for South Andrews to take off and to have the remaining blighted, vacant parcels redeveloped.

"I think what we all want is more activity," Dettman said. "If that's a bowling alley or a pool hall, I think that's great as long as they don't impact the neighborhood."

Dixon, the former yachtie, thinks SoLO would draw a different type of crowd.

"It's a little bit too touristy on Las Olas," Dixon said, sitting at the bar at Tap 42. "I think this tends to have more of a local feel."

lbarszewski@tribune.com or 954-356-4556

What's on Nextdoor?

Dear Neighbors - here is a sampling of the kind of information that was quickly dispatched to the neighborhood this week. It started with an Urgent Alert because it had just happened and the criminals may have still been in the area. The result was an arrest and property returned. If you have not already signed up for CroissantPark.Nextdoor.com, you might want to get on-board. You can sign up for Urgent Alerts via text messages to your phone, or just monitor what's going on when you feel like catching up on neighborhood goings-on. You can control how often you receive emails, or not receive them at all if you choose and just check in to follow what's happening at your leisure. Check it out.

Urgent alert6 Jun

Virginia Dill Russell from Croissant Park

house burglary at 600 block of SW16th Street between 7:15 and 9am Thursday morning.

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK 5 REPLY 15

Cathie, Carroll, Michael and 2 others thanked Virginia Dill

Michael Jaramillo from Croissant Park16h ago

thanks for the update and your vigilance.

Thank Remove

Newell Holt from Croissant Park8h ago

I don't know whether there is a favorite type of vehicle they use, but the police said they usually black out the windows. When the police run a tag on a car with blacked out windows and find it to be a rental they become very suspicious.

Thank Remove

Carroll Billups from Croissant Park7h ago

Hello, Re: the return of the laptops and i-pads by the Hollywood police that were stolen on SW 16th Street and recovered at the scene of a Miami burglary an hour later. First, it is amazing you got them back so fast. But how did the police know those were your items? Did you have serial numbers to provide the police when they took the report at your house? Thanks

Thank Remove

LEAD41F

Crime Update8 Jun

Steven Cook from Croissant Park

0.08 miles
#13063931 BURGLARY RESIDENCE
6XX SW 16TH ST
Jun 06, 2013 at 9:14 am

Data provided by Fort Lauderdale Police Department

0.16 miles
#13064070 BURGLARY RESIDENCE
4XX SW 17TH ST
Jun ... View more

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY

Gerry Hughan joined Croissant Park7 Jun

SW 16th St

WELCOMED! 2 REPLY

You and Steven welcomed Gerry

3 new neighbors joined Croissant Park6 Jun

WELCOMED ALL VIEW DETAILS

What was going on?2 Jun

Jo Bowker from Croissant Park

What was happening on SW 8th Avenue last night (Saturday)? Lots of police cars with flashing lights and a helicopter that kept flying around and around..

Shared with Croissant Park only in Crime & Safety

THANK REPLY 9

Hadrian Roesch from Croissant Park2 Jun

I had also heard of the noise from the helicopter from midnight until four also. Around 3 am I contacted Fort Lauderdale PD as I couldn't sleep through the noise. The dispatcher relayed that it was a Fort Lauderdale chopper and they were searching for someone.

Thank Remove

Jane thanked Hadrian

Bob Meagher from Croissant Park3 Jun

Any updates? Like... did they catch them?

Thank Remove

Alan & Tami McClung from Croissant Park6 Jun

Heard 3 in custody. That's all I can say :) :)

Thank Remove

Cathie and Fran thanked Alan & Tami

LEAD6

Caught the thief6 Jun

Virginia Dill Russell from Croissant Park

FLPD had the suspect of the burglary this morning on 16th Street in custody. Thank you to all the officers and german shepherd who got this guy off the street

Shared with Croissant Park only in General

THANK 6 REPLY 2

Steven, Beth, Robin and 3 others thanked Virginia Dill