Anybody with a grasp of Broward history knows that when “Port Everglades” and “land deal” are mentioned in the same breath, it’s cause for worry.
The biggest and most notorious land deal in county government history involved 271 acres at the port and a developer named Michael Swerdlow. The county’s record $120 million purchase led to defeats of two county commissioners and the forced exit of a county administrator in 1997.
A Sun Sentinel headline from Sept. 28, 1997, and the four commissioners who approved the so-called Swerdlow deal.
The stakes are vastly smaller, but Broward wants to buy 4.5 acres of port land from an owner who recently bought a 10-acre site for $21 million and wants to “flip” about half of it for a profit.
That’s free enterprise — but Broward would pony up $17 million for the land and closing costs. As The Florida Bulldog reports, the entire 10 acres is assessed for tax purposes at $10.8 million. On paper, it looks like the county is paying way too much (the port is run by revenues and fees, not property taxes, but it’s still public money).
Broward County
The land in question is just south of I-595 and east of U.S. 1, near Broward’s airport and seaport.
The seaport is a powerful, thriving economic engine. It’s also run out of room and needs space for growth, including parking for cruise ship passengers. The coveted property is in Dania Beach, south of I-595 and east of U.S. 1, and part of it will remain an overflow lot for Hertz rental cars.
The land deal (Item 26 on Tuesday’s agenda) was deferred for further review. The reason, we are told, is concern about disruption of access to a nearby sanctuary of vervet monkeys, the adorable offspring of escapees from a breeding farm in the 1940s.
County officials should use the extra time wisely — and fully explain to Broward residents why this is a good deal.