Riverwalk Upcoming Events

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Traffic

From: Mark Dennin
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2014 5:27 PM
Subject: Street Closures in the City of Fort Lauderdale

Traffic Information Updates

Public Affairs is sending this Traffic Update to keep you informed about road closures in the City of Fort Lauderdale.  These advisories will continue to be sent on a weekly basis.  Please be advised that this report is compiled from multiple sources and agencies that, at times, provide conflicting information.  Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; however, due to the fluid nature of road closures, this information is subject to change.  This Traffic Update is also posted on the City’s website at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Traffic/TrafficUpdate.htm. Information Regarding Street Closures in the City of Fort Lauderdale >> NE 55th Street Bridge is Closed for Emergency Repairs; Boat Traffic Not Affected The NE 55th Street Bridge between Bayview Drive and Federal Highway (U.S. 1) is currently closed for emergency repairs.  During the course of repairs on the bridge, City engineers discovered greater than expected deterioration of some of the support structures.  To prevent further damage and as a public safety precaution, the bridge was closed for emergency repairs. Based on preliminary assessments, work is expected to be completed in the next four to six weeks. In the meantime, motorists may access Federal Highway by way of NE 51st Street, Bayview Drive or Commercial Boulevard. The waterway under the bridge remains open to boat traffic. Staff has completed an evaluation of all bridges in the City of Fort Lauderdale as part of a long-term, comprehensive strategy to prioritize needs and allocate the proper resources to maintain and enhance infrastructure while ensuring public safety. For regular updates, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov or call 954-828-8000. >> Crews from Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) contractor, Russell Engineering, Inc., and their sub-contractors, began work on this $11.8 million project July 28 and expect to be completed by late December 2015. Traffic shifts have been made and new pavement markings have been put down through the project limits. Placement of concrete barrier wall segments and construction barrels is nearly completed. The speed limit through the project limits has been reduced to 25 MPH. One travel lane in each direction is open at all times. Access to side streets and residential driveways is open at all times. To limit traffic backups through-traffic should yield to turning vehicles. Motor vehicles will share the road with bicycles throughout the project limits. A sidewalk will be maintained on one side of A1A at all times. For safety reasons pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists and beachgoers are not allowed to cross through the work zones. Directional signs are in place indicating pedestrian crossings and beach access points. Parking is restricted throughout the project limits. Crews have begun removing the old sea wall and sidewalk along the east side of A1A beginning at Sunrise Boulevard. This work will progress northward. In this area, the sidewalk is closed and beach access points are restricted. Directional signs are in place indicating pedestrian crossings and beach access points. The removal of existing asphalt is expected to begin this week. This activity can be very noisy. Crews are scheduled to be on site Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.   The A1A Reconstruction Team thanks our project neighbors for their patience and cooperation during this work. >> Reconstruction of A1A in Fort Lauderdale – July 28 through December 2014: East side of A1A between Sunrise Boulevard and NE 14 Court Parking spaces and sidewalk will be closed on the east side of A1A in this construction zone. Beach access points will be restricted. Pedestrians and beach goers will not be allowed to cut through the work zone. Two-way traffic, bike lane, parking and sidewalk will be maintained on the west side of A1A. West side of A1A between NE 14 Court and NE 18 Street Parking spaces and sidewalk will be closed on the west side of A1A in this construction zone. Access will be maintained to side streets and driveways. Two-way traffic, bike lane, parking and sidewalk will be maintained on the east side of A1A. The contractor is authorized to work Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The project is expected to be completed in 506 calendar days, however, the contractor can earn a bonus for completing the project up to 100 days early. Note: After this project is completed, landscaping will be installed in the raised median and planter areas along the east side promenade under a separate contract. If you know someone that would like to receive project email updates, please send their address to Barbara.Kelleher@dot.state.fl.us with a Subject line of A1A Updates and remind them to put this address on their "safe sender" list. Also, you can follow us on Twitter @MyFDOT_SEFL. >> South Andrews Avenue between SE 27th Street and SE 30th Street (Aug 4 - Sept 12) - The Broward County Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division will be upgrading the drainage system and repairing existing sidewalks and curb ramps along the southbound lanes of South Andrews Avenue, between SE 27th Street and SE 30th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Construction is expected to begin Monday, August 4, 2014 and will conclude on or before September 12, 2014, barring any unforeseen conditions or weather delays. During construction, traffic on the southbound lanes of South Andrews Avenue will be temporarily restricted to one lane, and driveway access to the properties on the west side of South Andrews Avenue may be restricted for very short periods of time. Northbound lanes will not be affected during construction. For more information, contact project Manager Rares Petrica at 954-577-4631 or 954-612-0857 or rpetrica@broward.org. >> Eller Drive east of the I-595/US 1 interchange at Port Everglades Intermittent lanes may be closed in either direction within the project limits Monday through Friday at all times. One eastbound lane of I-595 entering Port Everglades will be closed as needed Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Northbound access to the intersection of Eller Drive and NE 7th Avenue will be closed as needed overnight Monday through Friday between 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for overhead bridge work. During the closure, northbound motorists on NE 7th Avenue will be detoured east to McIntosh Road where they can make a U-turn to westbound Eller Drive toward westbound I-595, U.S. 1, or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. >> Bridges of the Isles and Sunrise Key Bridges Replacement in Fort Lauderdale One westbound lane of Las Olas Boulevard from Nurmi Drive to Fiesta Way will be closed Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One lane of the Fiesta Way Bridge will be closed through late 2014. A traffic signal and flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone. One lane of the Nurmi Drive Bridge will be closed through late 2014. A traffic signal and flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone. >> I-95 Bridge Painting and Rehabilitation over the South Fork of the New River in Fort Lauderdale The shoulder along northbound and southbound I-95 from SR 84/Marina Mile Boulevard to Davie Boulevard will be closed through September 30. >> Sunrise Boulevard Bridge over the Middle River The north sidewalk along Sunrise Boulevard from U.S. 1 to Middle River Drive is closed. Pedestrians should use the NE 20th Avenue crosswalk to access the south sidewalk. One of the two left turn lanes from northbound Middle River Drive to westbound Sunrise Boulevard will be closed through early 2016. One westbound lane of Sunrise Boulevard between Middle River Drive and NE 20th Avenue is closed through early 2016. Two lanes are open for westbound traffic. One eastbound lane of Sunrise Boulevard between U.S. 1 and Middle River Drive is closed through early 2016. Two lanes are open for eastbound traffic. >> Signalization Installation Project on State Road 84 at I-95 in Fort Lauderdale One lane and the shoulder of the exit ramp from northbound I-95 to westbound SR 84 will be closed Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. >> Davie Boulevard Roadway Improvements Project in Fort Lauderdale One lane in each direction of Davie Boulevard from SR 7 to SW 38th Avenue will be closed Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. One lane in each direction of Davie Boulevard from SW 17th Avenue to the south fork of the New River Bridge will be closed Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. One lane in each direction of Davie Boulevard from SR 7 to SW 38th Avenue will be closed overnight Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. One lane in each direction of Davie Boulevard from SW 17th Avenue to the south fork of the New River Bridge will be closed overnight Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. >> Broward County Transit Improvements in Fort Lauderdale One eastbound lane of Broward Boulevard at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Police Station will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One westbound lane of Broward Boulevard at NW 14th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One westbound lane of Broward Boulevard at NW 15th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One westbound lane of Broward Boulevard at NW 24th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One eastbound lane of Broward Boulevard at SW 27th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One westbound lane of Broward Boulevard at NW 27th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One eastbound lane of Broward Boulevard at SW 30th Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One westbound lane of Broward Boulevard at NW 31st Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. One eastbound lane of Broward Boulevard at Kentucky Avenue will be closed Monday, July 21 through Sunday, September 14 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information about this work, please contact Broward County Transit Representative Stu Terraza at (954) 357-4755 orsterraza@broward.org. >> Sunrise Boulevard from NE 26th Ave to Birch Road in Fort Lauderdale Single-lane closures in both directions are scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for soil test boring >> US 1 near Port Everglades & Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport All northbound and southbound lanes of US 1 are shifted to the east from Griffin Road to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport interchange for construction of the new runway through mid-2014. One northbound and one southbound lane of US 1 are closed at the I-595 interchange for construction at the airport through mid-2014. For more information on this work please visit http://www.broward.org/Airport/fllair/Pages/Default.aspx or contact the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Public Information Officer Greg Meyer at (954) 359-6116 or email gmeyer@broward.org >> A1A In Action - Enhancing a Piece of Fort Lauderdale's Future (Project construction is expected to last until approximately summer 2016.) >> Pearl Flagler Village, LLC is building a development along NE 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. They have received approval (Revocable License) from the City Commission to close the following roads (see the MOT Plan ) for a period of 18-months starting on April 1, 2013. Northbound of NE 5th Avenue between NE 4th and NE 5th Streets, All lanes of NE 5th Terrace between NE 4th and NE 5th Streets, and All lanes of NE 5th Street between North Federal Highway and NE 5th Avenue. >> I-595 Express Corridor Improvements Project: The Express News - Details at www.i-595.com Please remember to slow down in construction areas and always buckle up, drive carefully and arrive safely. Share the road.

Council of Civic Associations August 2014 Meeting

The Performance and Accountability Officer for the School District discussed how and what the School District intends to spend the $800,000,000 on if voters pass the bond.  Money will be allocated to capital improvements in five areas: safety, music and art, athletics, repair and technology (SMART).  Cost to a HO with property valued at $250,000 would be approximately $50 increase in property tax. Participants expressed concern over Fort Lauderdale schools receiving less than the schools in wealthier communities.   

Fort Lauderdale Police reported good success with their juvenile justice program.  The report, "Understanding What FtL Police is Doing to Combat Juvenile Crime", is posted on the Council's website.

The Public Participation Committee reviewed its recommendations to the City for inclusion into the City's  Public Participation Ordinance.  My understanding is that the ordinance was a result of Oakland Park residents' experience when they spoke out against a developer's proposal to convert the North Ridge Medical Center to a private psychiatric and detox facility. 

The Ordinance would require developers, who seek to change the existing use of a property, to provide timely notice to surrounding civic associations and to require the developers to meet with civic association members to address concerns.  This all has to happen prior to the developer going to P&Z. The recommendations were approved by the members.  For more detail, look for minutes of the meeting on the Council's website. 

END 

submitted by Beth Falkenhagen, CPCA Director

CERT Classes for August 2014

CERT classes provide training on two Saturdays for two weeks by
City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue personnel 

ALL AT NO CHARGE. 

As a volunteer CERT member, you will learn life-saving skills for major emergencies including hurricanes, floods, and/or fires. You will also learn fire suppression and injury care for everyday situations. As a CERT graduate, your skills will be valuable to you, your family and your community in the event of a major disaster. CERT members may be assigned to a team in their neighborhood where they will play an important community safety role, as well as assist Fire-Rescue professionals in the event of an emergency. 

August 16 & 23, 2014 

 (both Saturdays)  from 8am to 5pm  

at Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Station 53 

2200 Executive Airport Way 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!  

Register by contacting:  Carladean Ferguson at 954-828-6700 or   

                                            via email at carladeanf@fortlauderdale.gov 

As a volunteer CERTmember, you will learn life-saving skills for major emergencies including hurricanes, floods, and/or fires. You will also learn fire suppression and injury care for everyday situations. As a CERTgraduate, your skills will be valuable to you, your family and your community in the event of a major disaster. CERTmembers may be assigned to a team in their neighborhood where they will play an important community safety role, as well as assist Fire-Rescue professionals in the event of an emergency. 

If you would like this publication in an alternative format (large print or audio tape), or if you need reasonable accommodation to participate in these courses, please contact the Public Information Office at 954-828-4PIO or email webmaster@fortlauderdale.gov. or email webmaster@fortlauderdale.gov.

BARC

Message sent to Tim Ryan:

The Croissant Park Civic Association Board would like an update on the County's proposal to relocate the BARC facility.  Thank you, Beth Falkenhagen


Response:

Dear Ms. Falkenhagen:

Thank you for e-mailing me to request an update about the status of the relocation of the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC), and to express your concerns about this issue, as well as about sober houses in your neighborhood.  I am happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Currently, Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale are in negotiations to reach an agreement that would allow for BARC to be moved from its current location in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood to county-owned property on SW28th Street between SW 4^th Avenue and SW 3^rd Avenue. 

I understand and share some of the concerns you have about sober houses, but there are some differences between BARC and sober houses that are important to keep in mind.

Sober houses are group homes run by private companies, and unfortunately are not currently regulated at all.  Such facilities can thus range from being very reputable and well-run programs, to operations run by unscrupulous persons concerned only with profits. There are limitations on the type of regulations that can be placed on sober houses, under the federal Fair Housing Act and Americans With Disabilities Act.  Nonetheless, I fully support efforts by the Florida Legislature to require sober houses to be inspected and certified by the Department of Children & Families to ensure these facilities meet basic health and safety requirements.   Proposed legislation did not pass during the 2014 Legislative Session, but my colleagues on the County Commission and I will continue to advocate for its passage.

In contrast with privately-run sober houses, BARC is a county-run residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment program that has operated in Broward County for more than 40 years.   In the time that BARC has been in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, there has not been any data that suggest an increase in criminal activity related to BARC’s presence.

There are a number of reasons why I support the relocation of BARC to its new location in a primarily commercial/industrial area of Fort Lauderdale on Southwest Third Avenue, south of State Road 84.

First, it’s important for BARC to be located near the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Most people who receive treatment at BARC choose to do so under the authority of the court, and they remain under judicial supervision throughout their treatment.  The new BARC site is close to the courthouse, so that BARC’s patients can receive both the treatment and court monitoring they need.

Second, the county has made several changes to the design of the new BARC facility that will make it a better fit for the SW 4th Avenue site and surrounding area.

• Originally, the county planned to have two social service agencies on the site – the BARC and the Nancy J. Cotterman Sexual Assault Treatment Center.  The county is now willing  locate only BARC on the site.
• The county is also willing to locate BARC on the east side of the site, and to have the building’s entrance facing east along SW 3rd Avenue in a commercial/industrial area.  This will leave more buffer space between BARC and the nearby Seagull School.
• The county has also agreed to list the western part of the site for sale on the open real estate market, which will allow for development in keeping with the surrounding commercial and light industrial activity in the neighborhood.  This will both add economic activity and place property back on the tax rolls.

 

These are significant improvements to the plan that address many of the concerns raised by residents and several of us on the city commission.

One final point to keep in mind is that in the time that BARC was located in the Sailboat Bend neighborhood, it was a good neighbor to the residents there. We did not have any significant criminal or other undesirable activity associated with the facility or its clients. 

Most of the people at BARC simply want to complete their treatment, remain in good standing with the court and get their lives turned around.  I fully expect that will continue with BARC in its new location.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts about this issue with me.

Sincerely,

 

Tim Ryan, Vice Mayor

Broward County Commission – District 7

115 S. Andrews Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 357-7007

tryan@broward.org

Ask Lori Parrish - Trim Notices

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“It’s TRIM Time for Broward County Residents!”

Dear Lori:

I just bought a new home in Broward County.  When does the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office mail out the 2014 proposed tax notices?

T.P., Coral Springs, FL (via email)

Beginning August 11, the Broward County Property Appraiser will begin mailing the 2014 “Truth-in-Millage” (TRIM) Notices to property owners on behalf of the various Broward County taxing authorities.  The over 760,000 “TRIM” Notices will be sent,  providing property owners with their 2014 property assessment information, exemptions, proposed tax amounts and proposed tax rates.  These notices also inform property owners of their right to both appeal their property assessment and to attend their various taxing authority budget hearings regarding the proposed tax rates.

The Property Appraiser’s Office does not set tax rates or collect taxes. If you wish to discuss the proposed tax rate or any new fees or fee increases on your TRIM Notice, you should contact the County Commission, School Board, City Commission and other taxing authorities. The TRIM Notice will include phone numbers for each taxing authority, as well as the schedule of public budget hearings.

The Property Appraiser’s Office determines the property’s market value as of January 1 and grants exemptions to qualified applicants. If you believe the market value of your property is not what a buyer would have reasonably paid for your property on January 1, 2014, you must contact our office or file a value petition with the Value Adjustment Board by the September 17, 2014 deadline. You can call, e-mail or visit our office to discuss your property assessment.  For residential properties, please call 954.357.6831 or email Scott Lewis at slewis@bcpa.net.  For condo, co-op and timeshare properties, please call 954.357.6832 or email Maureen Morrison at mmorrison@bcpa.net. For commercial properties, please call 954.357.6835 or email John McKean at jmckean@bcpa.net. For exemption questions and assistance, please call 954.357.6830 or email Kelly Brown at kbrown@bcpa.net.    You may also visit our office located in Room 111 of the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue (just south of Broward Boulevard) in Fort Lauderdale. Our office is open weekdays from 7:00AM to 6:00PM. To better accommodate the schedules of working families, our office will be open on Saturday, September 6 and Saturday, September 13 from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

If after speaking to one of our appraisers, you still disagree with our determination of market value, we will help you file an appeal petition directly with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB).  All valuation petitions must be received by the VAB (115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 120, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) by close of business on September 17, 2014. You may also file a petition online with the VAB https://bcvab.broward.org/axiaweb2014. Should you have any questions regarding the VAB, please contact their office directly at vab@broward.org or 954.357.7205.

For additional information on property assessments, exemptions, and the TRIM Notice, please visit www.bcpa.net or call 954.357.6830.

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

Follow our office at:  http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish