NEWS FROM COMMISSIONER  BERGER

In August, the city participated in a  groundbreaking ceremony for 26 single family homes in Central Lauderhill. The “Renaissance of Lauderhill” is a partnership of the City, County, and a developer to create affordable housing in the city. The Housing Finance Authority of Broward provided the land to the developer. Down payment assistance is being made available from funds provided by the County and the City. With the median price of a home in Broward County around $380,000, these homes will range in price from $158,000 to $171,000. Housing affordability continues to be challenging in our area. This collective effort will improve property values and give some first time homebuyers an opportunity to have the pride of homeownership.

Also in August, the city had its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. This event honors the contribution of volunteers in our city, whether they serve on a city board, belong to a homeowners association, or just help fellow residents in some manner. Their efforts exemplify civic pride and altruistic service to the community and these citizens deserve this yearly recognition.

Graffiti is a form of vandalism which creates visual blight in the community. I recently sponsored and passed an ordinance to strengthen our current code against damaging and defacing of property. It adds provisions to prohibit the possession of an arsenal container of spray paint or broad-tipped marker by any one under the age of 18 years on public property except in the company of a supervising adult or on private property without the consent of the owner or manager. It authorizes the city to impose a lien for reimbursement costs incurred by the city to take the corrective action if the property owner does not eliminate the graffiti within 3 days.

The redevelopment of the city is progressing at a steady pace:

• The Commission approved a conceptual design for the Arts and Cultural Center with a 1,000 seat theater in the Central Broward Regional Park (State Road 7 and Sunrise Blvd).

• As of this writing, November 9th, 2007 is the date set for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Regional Park.

• The Commission also took action on the selection of an architectural firm for the design and construction of a 40,000 square foot City Hall (Oakland Park Blvd. and Inverrary Blvd). They will further develop the previously approved conceptual design.

• The Sembler Company is demolishing the movie theater on Commercial Blvd (West of University Drive) to construct a Shopping Center.

• The Lennox/Madison House of Forest Trace is a 4 story Adult Living Facility under construction set back off Commercial Blvd (east of 70th Ave).

• The City also approved an agreement to sell City owned land (2 Acres) on Oakland Park Blvd next to the Police Headquarters. If consummated, it will be for the construction of a bank. This bank will be in addition to Bank Atlantic and Wachovia branches recently opened in the Publix Shopping Center (Inverrary Falls).
   

Enjoy the rest of 2007 until the next spotlight, may your Holidays be Safe and Happy,

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Howard Berger
Commissioner

P: 954-730-2976