New development brings new challenges to any community, and coherent planning is paramount for a successful venture in Fort Lauderdale.
That has not been the case with the proposed construction of a five-story Rolex-branded jewelry store along Las Olas Boulevard and the Himmarshee Canal at 1117 E. Las Olas Blvd., operated by Weston Jewelers.
There have been conflicting rationales from developers to justify aspects of construction along with blatant disregard for the impact on the surrounding community.
Anthony Battista is president of the Villaggio Di Las Olas Condo Association. (courtesy, Anthony Battista)
I am a 50-year resident of Fort Lauderdale, and it’s evident our city is no longer the sleepy little beach town it was when I arrived in 1977.
I have seen a great deal of positive development, which is welcome.
I have also seen overdevelopment that has taxed the city’s infrastructure and reduced the quality of life for Fort Lauderdale residents.
While I can accept that progress is necessary, our community should not tolerate developers’ inability to take responsibility for everyone’s well-being and mutual success.
As president of the Villaggio Di Las Olas Condo Association, I am concerned about the repercussions of this project on our neighborhood. The developers are shirking their responsibility and arguing against offering ample parking, which will make the scarce parking situation on Las Olas even worse. Plans provide zero on-site parking spaces and only 40 off-site parking spaces instead of the 129 parking spaces required by city code.
Developers are lobbying for a reduced parking requirement under the guise that the retail space will garner low-intensity and appointment-only retail traffic, that only 20 employees will be on-site, and that 207 public spaces will meet parking needs.
In reality, other businesses compete for public parking, too many other projects have been granted parking reductions, which strain parking inventory, and the latest traffic studies were conducted in June, during the off-season, and do not account for peak-season demand.
At the same time, developers also grandly boast that the new luxury shopping will boost the local economy, create more jobs and bring more foot traffic to Las Olas.
If this project brings more shoppers and employees to Las Olas, where will they park?
If the low-intensity nature of the business reduces the need for parking, how will this boost our local economy and create jobs? Both statements can’t be true. They don’t pass the smell test.
There was testimony at a recent city planning and zoning board meeting and a hyper-focus on the “desperate” need for luxury shopping in Fort Lauderdale. It was portended that this project would bring more business, jobs and real estate sales.
I wish this were true, but little evidence was presented to corroborate these claims. Also, the need for luxury shopping benefits wealthy residents and visitors, not working-class people.
At 32,000 square feet, this building would be the biggest of its kind on the east side of Las Olas Boulevard. There has also not been an adequate study about the impact on water quality and wildlife in the Himmarshee Canal.
There are also concerns about shadow and view encroachment for area residents and the lowering of home values.
I am not opposed to development, but this project should be re-thought in partnership with community stakeholders. Until then, Fort Lauderdale citizens must tell Fort Lauderdale city commissioners to vote no on the Weston Jewelers/Rolex project on May 19.
Anthony Battista of Fort Lauderdale is president of the Villaggio Di Las Olas Condo Association.