Hallandale Beach Development
What's going on at Hallandale Beach?
If you live near the water tower at Hallandale Beach, or take your family here on weekend outings or summer vacations, you might have noticed a lot of recent development. For the last year or two it was the construction of the new high rise just North of the water tower. Now it is a new shopping outlet and concessions area, as you will read below.
When I first moved to the area in 2010, I spent a lot of my time at this beach mainly because it was within walking distance and because there was a cool cafe that had an authentic beachy feel. It was fun to meet with friends and grab a beer and a bite to eat after swimming or basking in the sun all day. I understand the appeal to having infrastructure like this near the beach. My main concern is the removal of shoreline native plants that help buffer the coastline from storms (and storm surges), in addition to the knowledge of rising sea levels and the poor planning towards a changing future. I'm also concerned with the government's tendency to use tax dollars to tear down usable infrastructure in order to build new infrastructure, where in this case, seems to offer some of the same services as before. My final concern is how the City of Hallandale has treated this project quite "hush, hush". First condemning the previous infrastructure and tearing it down without public support, as well as presenting the empty space as a new natural conservation space, only to slyly come in and rebuild. Decisions like this are upsetting and I think that it is important to consider how these types of decisions overstep public opinion.
Below you will find a series of email exchanges with a City of Hallandale Beach Planning and Zoning Manager, and a Capital Project Manager. Names are omitted out of respect, but for further inquiries, it shouldn't be hard to reach out to someone in either of these departments:
April 7, 2014
Hi Ms. (omitted),
I am writing about a concern regarding some recent development on Hallandale Beach near the water tower at Hallandale Blvd. and A1A . A few years ago, there existed a cafe that the city had torn down. Many people were upset about the changing face of this comforting beach-style environment, changing from an authentic beachy setting to the potential prospects of some unknown commercial development. To our pleasant surprise, the area was preserved for the conservation of its natural dunes and sea oats. Even though the cafe was missed, the cleared area that the city now presented as natural coastal habitat was definitely a breath of fresh air. Today, I noticed that all of this preserved area has been torn up in preparation for commercial development, yet again. I do not understand why this has happened. I feel that the city has misrepresented its true intentions for this piece of land in a very deceptive way towards the public. I am, at the very least interested in knowing what will become of this area, and if there are any future plans that the City of Hallandale has for coastal protections through the reintroduction of essential native coastal plant species that will help buffer storm surges, prevent erosion from rising tides, and help filter out chemical contaminates from this marine environment. Thank you so much for your time. I look forward hearing back from you on this concern.
Sincerely,
Kimberly W
April 7, 2014
Ms. W
Thank you for your inquiry. Could you provide more details about the specific area in which you are seeing development along the beach? The City has one project related to North Beach Park, which may be the area you are referencing. If that is the case, Ms. (omitted) can assist you getting with more information. Let me know more specifics when you can.
If you are referring to an area other than North Beach Par (and related facility), I will have my team work on the answers regarding the planned development in the subject area, and get back to you.
With regard to beach re-nourishment, I am copying Mr. Steven Parkinson, Director of Public Works, to answer any questions about the City’s plans to protect and re-nourish our coastal areas.
Thank you,
(omitted)
Planning and Zoning
City of Hallandale Beach
April 7, 2014
Hi Ms. (omitted),
Thanks so much for getting back to me. The area I am referring to is behind the building that houses the Hallandale Beach fire department and that is just north of the Hallandale Beach water tower. It is a small area that used to support a small cafe and restroom facilities, as well as storage for the lifeguards. That structure has since been torn down, but the beach showers and vegetarian had still remained until just recently.
I really appreciate you taking the time to direct my concern to the appropriate contacts. I look forward to hearing a response back from you or Ms. (omitted), as well as a response from Mr. Steven Parkinson in regards to coastal re-nourishment. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Kimberly W
April 7, 2014
Ms. W
That sounds like the North Beach Park and Facility. Ms. (omitted) can assist you with any questions that you may have about the development and schedule. She is copied on this email for your reference. ([Ms.] (omitted), please see e-mails below.)
Thank you,
(omitted)
Planning and Zoning
City of Hallandale Beach
April 8, 2014
Ms. W
Good morning. The area you referring to is North Beach Park. The park is presently under construction and it will house restrooms for the public, a cafeteria/restaurant, retail space, lifeguard office, beach volleyball along other amenities. The estimated time of completion is approximately one year.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or feel free to call me.
Thanks
(omitted)
Capital Project Manager
City of Hallandale Beach
400 S. Federal Highway
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
I have yet to hear back from the Director of Public Works, whose name I did not omit.
For more information on this development and other projects happening in the City of Hallandale, please refer to the City of Hallandale Planning and Zoning Division website.
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