Roads and bridges, Solid waste survey, Police and more.
Funding approved for roads and bridges
We are moving along with repairing roads and bridges, as evidenced by several funding requests the City Council approved Wednesday night. Approved were $215,000 to repair a bridge near SW 63rd Avenue, $145,888 for surveying and mapping services for the roads in the Plantation Park neighborhood, and $35,184 for surveying parts of SW 3rd Street, NW 55th Avenue and NNW 10th Court.
You can click here to see the agenda items and background information. The expenditures were part of the overall budget the Council approved in September for this fiscal year.
Midtown bridge plan progresses
Jeff Weidner of Marlin Engineering presented an update on our proposal to build a bridge in Midtown as an effort to reduce traffic on University Drive and Pine Island Road. The bridge would cross the North New River canal and put drivers on westbound State Road 84.The project reached the 60-percent design phase, a landmark number that gives us tangible details as we ask agencies to help pay for the bridge.
The goal is to submit 100 percent plans to the Florida Department of Transportation and receive their permit by winter 2026.
The city has been working for about five years to set aside funding, seek grants and receive approvals to build the bridge, which is partway between University Drive and Pine Island Road. Estimated cost is $10 million and we continue to look for funding opportunities.
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Our trip to Tallahassee
Last week, Councilmember Denise Horland and I joined other city officials, school board members, county commissioners and other leaders for the annual Broward Days in Tallahassee.
The idea is to spend time with our state legislators, build relationships and better explain what our challenges and needs are way down here on the other corner of the state.
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Most pertinent to South Florida was a quick talk by Sen. Jason Pizzo, who represents coastal communities in our area, which are heavily populated with condominiums. He noted that 67 percent of his district’s residents live in condos and the state is still trying to balance requiring properties to maintain reserves while not overly straining residents’ budgets.
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Earth Day, Rock the Park combined
Our city’s annual Earth Day is being presented in a different format this year. It will be in conjunction with Rock the Park held at Pine Island Park.
At 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, educational booths, plant giveaway and the Trash to Treasure Challenge will be among the offerings on the field north of the concert stage at Pine Island Park. Our Sustainability and Resiliency Advisory Board will be awarding prizes to their youth Sustainability & Resiliency video contest winners.
The band for the night is Caliente, playing contemporary Latin music, starting at 7 p.m. Remember, bring your cooler but not your pets. And if you’re celebrating with balloons, please keep them tied securely to keep them from entering the atmosphere.
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Insurance returns $5,000 to city
It pays to invest in safety. Chris Kittleson of the Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust presented a $5,000 check to the city to reimburse us for a portion of funds we spent on safety projects and equipment. PGIT insures our city’s assets and offers such reimbursements through its TIPS program. We’ve earned it almost every fiscal year for things like sidewalk repairs or purchasing safety equipment. This one was for 2024-25.
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Business Recycling Survey
Broward County Solid Waste Authority is seeking input from local business owners to improve its recycling programs. If you own a business in Broward, take a few minutes to share how your business manages garbage and recycling. Your feedback will help shape future initiatives to make recycling easier and more effective.
To participate, visit browardswa.org/surveys and complete the survey. Your input can make a difference!
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Accolades for police
Chief Harrison recently shared an impressive list of awards our police department received. The latest Police Academy Graduation for Class 363 was Wednesday, March 26, where one of Plantation’s three graduates won the Academic Award.
The Florida Police Chiefs Association awarded our Crime Intelligence Analyst, Shawna Nathman-Deyo (pictured), Civilian of the Year in the large agency category for her exemplary performance and work ethic. She also received the Civilian of the Year Award from the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association. The Broward Victim’s Rights Coalition recognized the Plantation Police Department as the Agency of the Year for all the great work of our Criminal Investigations Division. The Broward Sheriffs Advisory Council presented Officer Courtney Fish with the Valor Award for her life saving measures on a 11 month old child suffering from a fentanyl exposure. And on February 4th, Sergeant Paul Fortunato was named the Plantation Police Department 2024 Officer of the Year.
I am immensely proud of our men and women in uniform for the level of protection and care they provide the community. And I’m glad to see it celebrated locally, regionally and statewide.
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Stay in the know with Jojo
Similar to the Monday Mayor’s Minute, which covers city business and key happenings, Parks and Recreation has kicked off JoJo Knows, a weekly update highlighting upcoming city events. Every Wednesday, JoJo gives a quick rundown of what’s happening that weekend.
Follow along each week on the Parks & Recreation Facebook and Instagram @PlantationParks.
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Events
March 29: Community Garage Sale from 7 a.m. to noon at Volunteer Park.
April 4: Luminaria Ceremony at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Honor loved ones as luminaria bags light up the steps of City Hall throughout the weekend. Luminaria bags can be dropped off at City Hall beginning March 28 or can be purchased and decorated at the event.
April 5: Earth Day Celebration and Rock the Park at Pine Island Park. Starting at 5 p.m. join the fun for a plant giveaway, hands-on activities, food trucks and more. At 7 p.m. the event will culminate with our Rock the Park concert, featuring the band Caliente bringing Latin hits and more.
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Meetings
April 3: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.
View all 2025 meetings and events by visiting Plantation.org/Calendar.
If you subscribe to this newsletter and other city communications, effective 4/2/2025, the City will send text updates from a new phone number: 1-833-370-7323. Questions? Contact subscriberhelp@granicus.com
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