Huizenga Park Construction Update #5

Huizenga Park Construction Update #5

Here's the latest: Progress is underway on Huizenga Park Reimagined and to close out the year, join us in looking back at major milestones we accomplished in 2024. On behalf of the Huizenga Park team, we wish you all the best during this holiday season.

What's happening: 

  1. We're diving into some of 2024's biggest milestones.
  2. Look ahead to what to expect in 2025.
  3. Pedestrians along Riverwalk will be shifted north in mid-December.

Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey. 

 

Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 4.5 min read.


Year in Review: Huizenga Park's Transformation Begins

60-second timelapse of Huizenga Park construction from August to December.

2024 has been a year of transformation for Huizenga Park. From celebrating big milestones to kicking off construction, we set the stage for Huizenga Park's evolution. With construction well underway, we look forward to sharing more about our journey to build DowntownFTL's signature park in the months ahead. Here's what we've been up to:


We finalized our construction partners.

  • We selected a general contractor, MBR Construction, Inc.
  • We onboarded KEITH to ensure the park is built to our high quality standards. Learn more about the team below!

The full deign and construction project team celebrating the park's groundbreaking.


We celebrated the park's groundbreaking.

  • We kicked off the summer with a ceremonial groundbreaking, celebrating this big milestone with over 400 community members!
  • Building off this momentum, construction crews got started in August and got immediately to work in prepping the park for its transformation.

Ceremonial groundbreaking with the community in May 2024.


We've made some unexpected discoveries.

  • We opened a time capsule with Mayor Dean Trantalis from 1976. Read last month's update to see what was inside!
  • We uncovered old foundations of Hotel Broward, a hotel built in 1919 as our city's first upscale tourist lodge. Our demolition contractor removed 27 truckloads worth of concrete from these foundations!

Concrete foundations removed from former Hotel Broward.


We've made big progress on the park site.

  • With demolition and site clearing complete, drainage improvements are now in full swing.
  • The contractor is wrapping up the drainage work along the Riverwalk and is working their way north into the park area.

Progress photo of the installation of a drainage structure along the Riverwalk.
Huizenga Park as of December 2, 2024.

Looking Ahead: What's to Come in 2025.

Future view from Huizenga Park's fountain looking to activities in the lawn.

Construction will continue to ramp up and we'll soon start to see the reimagined Riverwalk take shape. As we get deeper into 2025, we'll see changes such as the introduction of the park's outdoor rooms, revitalization of the Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain, and construction beginning on Sweetwaters, Huizenga Park's independently operated full-service restaurant.

The Huizenga Park team will continue to build out the park's operations, management, and programming plan. We're building partnerships with community leaders across the park's four programming pillars and hope to announce these soon:

  • Health, Wellness, Fitness
  • Arts, Culture, Entertainment
  • Dog-Friendly Activities
  • Community Impact

In the meantime, let us know what activities you want to to see in Huizenga Park by filling out our survey.

Tell us what activities you would like to see →


30-Day Outlook

Transformation in progress: Huizenga Park's stormwater drainage improvements are advancing.

 Here's what's next: The construction team is working away on the stormwater drainage improvements that will continue through December. After the Winterfest Boat Parade, a temporary pedestrian walkway will be put into place to make way for the marine-focused improvements beginning at the start of the year. While temporary access will always be available, our team is expediting work along Riverwalk to have it fully reopen in Q1 of 2025.

Other impacts: One eastbound lane along Las Olas Boulevard will remain closed from Andrews Avenue to SE 1 Avenue. This serves to provide truck access into the park and minimize the number of construction vehicles that need to enter SE 1 Avenue. The sidewalk on the west side of SE 1 Avenue will remain closed for pedestrian safety and the Riverwalk will continue to be detoured for the next few months.


Meet the Project Team

KEITH is serving the role of construction oversight for Huizenga Park. From day-to-day site inspections to construction contract oversight, the KEITH team is assisting us in bringing our visionary plans for Huizenga Park to life.

About KEITH: For more than six decades, KEITH has been providing design solutions throughout the State of Florida, the Caribbean, and beyond. The firm is built on the basic principle of serving as an advocate for the communities in which they build, live, and give back to, including as generous donors to the Huizenga Park Foundation.

As a trans-disciplinary firm, KEITH provides creative solutions to each project and the community in which they serve. The firm provides resilient and sustainable design solutions for municipal agencies, private clients, and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Learn more about KEITH →


Project history and timeline

After years of planning and design, Huizenga Park will undergo a complete renovation that kicked off in August 2024. Construction is expected to take just over a year to complete, reopening by the end of 2025

Big Vision: Huizenga Park will become Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature gathering place, exquisitely designed, activated, safe and comfortable. A space for everyone, to be used from morning through the evening, and every day of the year. A series of uniquely designed outdoor rooms will set Huizenga Park apart from traditional parks, offering opportunities for leisure, dining, physical activity, events, and meet-ups. A reimagined Huizenga Park will set the new standard for urban parks in Fort Lauderdale. 


About the Huizenga Park Foundation

The Huizenga Park Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2022 to promote, advance, foster and support the reimagining of Huizenga Park.


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