Ft. Lauderdale's stride toward sustainable development has earned the city some major props — with the Smart Growth Partnership bestowing their Smart Growth Excellence Award upon the sunny coastal community; it was announced yesterday, as noted on the City of Fort Lauderdale's official website. This particular hat tip is in honor of the city's bold strides in redesigning the Uptown area into what's hoped to be a buzzy, pedestrian-friendly zone — think mixed-use spaces where living, working, and merrymaking shake hands in eco-conscious harmony, an effort that's a clear nod to the densifying and revitalizing of urban cores that's been a long time coming.
Mayor Dean J. Trantalis, in the glow of the city's recent accolade, pointed to the Uptown Urban Village project as the heart of their sustainable quest, stating, “This award is a reflection of our efforts to create communities that put people first and embrace sustainable practices,” according to the City of Fort Lauderdale news release. He's talking about a district that once upon a time seems like an afterthought — but now, it's getting a full-blown makeover with walkability and liveability at its core, in a push that echoes a broader urban struggle to reconcile growth with quality of life.
It doesn't stop at the mayor's desk, either; Commissioner John Herbst chimed in, crediting the community for the collective heave-ho that's lifting the Uptown district up by its bootstraps, saying, “The success of Uptown reflects the hard work and vision of our entire community,” as reported on the City of Fort Lauderdale website. With the area's sights set squarely on cultivating a vibrant spot to plant roots and pursue careers, it's also perking up ears with promises of fresh amenities and diversifying the local habitat — not to mention the economic boon a well-oiled urban machine can attract.
This uppercut of urban innovation isn't a shot in the dark — it's been on the stove, cooking for some time, steered by local landowners and businesses with visions of creating a "live, work, and entertain" district stretching from C-14 Canal and McNab Road in the north down to NW 57th Street in the south, bordered by Powerline Road and Interstate-95; this according to the same City of Fort Lauderdale's announcement. And with the award formally handed over on January 9, Ft. Lauderdale isn't just throwing a party for a job well done — they're serving up an invitation to watch — and take part in — this new chapter for a city with its sights set on a more resilient, dynamic future.
