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Seritage, Bond, Plantation.org updates and more.
No change at the Seritage site…yet.
A recent executive order in Tallahassee means the unfinished building at the north side of Broward Mall may remain up even longer. Nationally, Seritage, the failed development endeavor at the former Sears site, is selling off all 250 of its properties.
The city spoke on April 21 to Seritage representatives and, while no official commitment was made, we all agreed the right play is to knock down the half-built facility that Seritage had started. (Any new buyer is going to start over again anyway.)
“Positive dialogue,” is how our CAO, Jason Nunemaker, describes it.
Technically the permit for the site is still active. The governor issued an executive order after Tropical Storm Nicole struck, extending the timeframe for existing development permits. He has repeatedly issued 90-day extensions to that order, most recently on June 29.
So, for now, we’re still stuck with that unfinished concrete structure, but we remain confident that we will be able to work towards a positive solution.
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While most of the projects have been completed as part of the $59 million bond that voters approved in 2016, we do have several projects under way in each silo. The expansion of Fire Station #2 with an additional bay will be forthcoming from the public safety silo. A new Vactor Truck for stormwater maintenance will be procured from the public works silo and we anticipate some additional drainage improvements. North Acres Park, enhancements at Pop Travers Park (restroom), Pine Island Park (storage), and the renovation of the Central Park Multipurpose Building will complete the projects in the Parks and Recreation funding silo.
 Design for North Acres Park
Many of you have noticed flooding on Cleary Boulevard just east of Pine Island Road, where Shalimar, a new housing project, is being built. It is replacing the prior occupant, American Express.
We're fixing it.
There’s no drainage infrastructure on the south side of Cleary Boulevard between Pine Island Rd. and Northwest 82nd Ave. Construction impacted the swale, which ruined what drainage we had. The developer will rebuild and regrade the swale, which will provide some retention. Small ponds just off the road are expected.
The city is looking at adding drainage facilities as a long-term solution. We have a survey in progress. Design and permitting will be next and then construction work will begin.
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Get ready and prepared for Hurricanes! The My Safe Florida Home Program is open to applications for free hurricane home inspections. Owners of any site-built, single-family residential Florida property may apply. Eligible applicants may apply for program grant money for home strengthening improvements.
July 19 Council
There is only one City Council meeting in July but it will be full. The City Council sets the maximum millage rate as part of the overall budget rate. The city millage rate for years has been $5.80 for every $1,000 your property is assessed at, and I am suggesting we keep it as it is. Since March, our Finance Department and my administration have been balancing the city’s needs with fiscal responsibility. The maximum millage discussion is at 6 p.m. July 19.
Note that the portion of your property tax bill that goes to the city is about one-third, shared with county and school taxes.
Meanwhile, staff members from U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s office will visit the Council meeting to provide updates from Washington, D.C. and State Rep. Lisa Dunkley will speak on Tallahassee issues. The Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. July 19.
We launched a retooled home page for both the desktop and mobile versions of Plantation.org.
I see the home page of our site as a guide to get you where you need to go. So we made it quicker to engage with many of our city operations.
Activities and news of our city are now more visible, helping us to highlight important information you’d want to know. We also added a higher profile for our social media, because those platforms are quick and nimble avenues to get timely info to you.
Special credit goes to Michele Casado, our publicity coordinator.
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 We were green before green was cool!
The City of Plantation Environmental Landscape Division has begun a social media series of Frequently Asked Questions. From tree giveaways to permits and troublesome roots, we hope some of your questions are answered.
Does the City have a tree giveaway?
Yes! We give trees away annually at the Earth Day Celebration.
Residents can plant their free tree on their property and not the city's swale.
For more information on landscaping in the City, you can visit Plantation.org/Landscape101.
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July 15: 1970s Star Wars Day at the Plantation Historical Museum. Interact and take pictures with Star Wars characters featuring the 501st Legion Everglades Squad from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
July 22: Back to School BBQ and playground Ribbon Cutting at the Jim Ward Community Center. The ribbon cutting will begin at 10:30 am, while the BBQ will run from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This community event includes free school supplies for Plantation residents (must show ID), a BBQ lunch and a family fun day in the park with activities for everyone.
August 1: National Night Out presented by the Police Department. This year the event will take place at Pine Island Park from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Stop by and enjoy bounce houses, dunk-a-cop, a petting zoo, live music, giveaways and more.
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