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New restaurants and businesses, budget approval, vacation rentals, University Drive update and more.
One restaurant/bar is now two: The southern part of Quarterdeck in Plantation has been remodeled into Whiskey Neat.
Whiskey Neat opened about two months ago and the Plantation Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 26. Quarterdeck, at the southeast corner of Flamingo Road and Sunrise Boulevard, opened about 20 years ago. Earlier this year owners closed up the pool/arts/jukebox area, built a separating wall and added insulated ceilings to create a calm speakeasy-type vibe featuring about 230 rare whiskeys. The Quarterdeck menu is available at Whiskey Neat.
The signature drink is the Jack D. Armstrong, described by one publication as Filthy Cherry smoked with Old Forester 100-proof rye, Bitter Truth chocolate bitters and a brown sugar cube. I will take their word for it.
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Ford's Garage
Ford’s Garage, an eagerly awaited restaurant in Plantation Walk, announced its ribbon cutting. It is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16.
Toi Spa
Toi Spa in Plantation Walk held a ribbon cutting last week (Sep. 20). The business specializes in pedicures and has 10 locations in South Florida. The new one is at 331 N. University Drive, Suite M2-1300.
Savvy Suds Laundry
Savvy Suds Laundry, 6924 Cypress Road, held a ribbon-cutting on Sep. 12. The venue is a makeover at the site of a previous coin laundry and is at the opposite end of the businesses anchored on the west by Riverside Market.
FY 24 Budget Approved
The Plantation City Council approved the FY24 budget at the final budget hearing on September 20. The combined fund $252M budget, which took effect October 1st, represents a partnership between Administration and City Council to invest in the City of Plantation and improve service delivery throughout departments. Included in the budget are items that touch the daily lives of all our stakeholders from the provision of additional shade structures at our parks to improvements in stormwater, utilities, and public safety.
The budget process began back in March, when the City Council, Administration, and departmental leadership got together for strategic planning, where we discussed the City’s direction and departmental needs and wants in the upcoming years. Needs often make it to the budget, wants rarely do.
View the Adopted Budget at www.plantation.org/budget.
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We held our first special magistrate hearing dedicated entirely to the short term rental cases in September, as we tighten the screws on non-compliant vacation rentals.
We are always citing loud party houses and report short term rental listings that are homesteaded to the Broward County Property Appraiser for homestead status review. This magistrate process adds more tools to our toolbox to deal with them. To see a database of registered vacation rentals or to register your property, go to www.plantation.org/vacationrentals.
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Although we are not doing the work, the city communicates with FDOT about road improvements on University Drive south of Broward Boulevard. The contractor has encountered additional utility conflicts in the southbound direction so the work is behind schedule. The anticipated completion date is now Feb. 28, 2024.
FDOT expects to have most of the work completed by the holiday season, however if there are any additional unforeseen delays in construction, the contractor is required to maintain all driveways open during business hours.
For more information on this project, visit www.FDOT.com.
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A grocery store will be coming to West Broward Shopping Center in the Gateway District. City Council approved a Florida based grocer at 3901 W. Broward Blvd. The area is considered a food desert and the quality grocery store anchor in that location is expected to serve as a catalyst for revitalization.
National Recovery Month
The city recognized National Recovery Month, and encouraged those in recovery and the people supporting them to continue their journey. Councilmember Reinstein presented the Proclamation to two Plantation natives, Josh Fenster and Dr. Barry Reiman. Each shared their own struggle with substance abuse and what has become their life mission to help others.
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National Service Dog Month
Canine Companions brought in service dogs to Council Chambers as part of National Service Dog Month. The group wants to educate the public about the benefits of service dogs and laws protecting them. Visit Canine.org.
 Hispanic Heritage Month
South Plantation High students, accepted a proclamation for Latinos in Action and Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Originally founded in 2001, Latinos in Action started in six Broward Public High Schools in 2014. It continued to expand to include South Plantation High.
“What To Do While You Wait,” a first-aid overview for the public is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Plantation Fire Station No. 2, 550 NW 65th Ave.
Organized by the South Broward Wheelers bicycling club, topics include assessing emergency response, accident scene management, CPR and basic life support, bleeding control and choking incidents.
Register via SouthBrowardWheelers.com.
 "We were green before it was cool."
During the month of September, we put our employees up to a sustainability challenge and asked them to report the steps they are taking to live more sustainably. Each of us making small daily efforts can add up to a big long-term impact. Here are some simple, yet effective, things that the City of Plantation employees do:
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- Recycle (even take in friend’s recycling!) and buy products made of recycled materials
- Use reusable water bottles, shopping bags, metal straws and kitchen utensils
- Buy only what’s needed to reduce food waste
- Grow fruit, veggies and herbs
- Compost
- Sign up for paperless billing
- Walk or bike to school or for small shopping trips
- Collect rain water
- Use melted ice from coolers to water the plants
- Carpool
- Turn off the lights when leaving the room at home and at work
- Install low flow toilets and shower heads, solar panels, energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances
- Give items new life - donate unwanted items that are in good shape, fix electronic devices instead of replacing them to reduce e-waste, or turn your recycled materials into art.
The City of Plantation has temporarily switched to free chlorination in its drinking water system. This process will end on October 8, 2023. For questions or concerns please visit www.plantation.org/FAQWater or email Water@Plantation.org.
October 16: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest begins. The Parks & Recreation Department will be accepting essay submissions from Monday, October 16th to Friday, November 17th. For more information visit www.plantation.org/MLKEssay
October 21: Family Fall Festival is back with a children's carnival, games, inflatables, costume contest, arts and crafts, police and fire exhibits and more. This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at Volunteer Park and is $5 per person 2 years and older.
October 31: Trunk or Treat at Pine Island Park! Come out for Halloween from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for an evening of trick or treating, arts and crafts and more.
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October 3: The Planning and Zoning Board meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
October 5: The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.
October 9: The Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
October 10: The Review Committee meeting at 2 p.m. at City Hall.
October 11: The Plan Adjustment Committee meeting 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. The City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
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