THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 8 APRIL 21, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON MANORS FIRE REIGNITES INTEREST IN ABANDONED FORMER CHURCH PROPERTY By John McDonald Days after a fire ripped through an abandoned building in Wilton Manors, questions linger as to what started the blaze and what will become of a prized property. Described by officials as the largest fire in Wilton Manors in two decades, the former Center for Spiritual Living, 1550 Northeast 26th St., went up in flames in the early morning hours of April 13. The church has been shuttered for years and the current owners, UDC Manors LLC, have failed to redevelop the 4.9-acre site. “I would consider it an attractive nuisance,” said Rabbi Noah Kitty, who lives in the city’s east side. “Circumstances have determined that now is the time that something needs to be done and hopefully it will move from the back to the front of the line.” With almost all of Wilton Manors built out, developers and entrepreneurs have long coveted the old church property that, before the fire, had a just market value of $2.2 million. Built in 1974, the building was slated for demolition later this year, Fort Lauderdale Fire Battalion Chief Stephen Ballon told reporters.
“Circumstances have determined that now is the time that something needs to be done and hopefully it will move from the back to the front of the line.” - Rabbi Noah Kitty
Remains of abandoned former church after fire. Image courtesy of John McDonald.
A total of 25 units and 75 firefighters responded, Ballon said, making the incident a two-alarm fire. At the scene, Ballon said no one was found inside. John Fiore, the former mayor of Wilton Manors, told reporters homeless people had been camping on the property. “My guess is that some homeless people did something and it set something on fire,” Fiore said. Kitty, campaigning for a seat on the Wilton Manors commission, said it was unfortunate to lay blanket blame on the unhoused population. “The truth is people have broken in there
consistently,” Kitty said. Roger Cruttenden, president of the Three Bridges Neighborhood Association, declined to speculate as to how the fire started. “I’ve heard it being said, ‘oh how convenient,’ Cruttenden said. “But I think we need to let the professionals look at this and have an appropriate investigation.” Larry Baum, a managing partner of Sunny Isles Beach based UDC Manors, said all utilities were disconnected and the property had been abandoned for almost 11 years. Broward County Property Appraiser records show UDC Manors bought the property in 2014 from First Church of Religious Science
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for $3.2 million. A proposal to redevelop the property into a 100-unit condominium complex was met with swift resistance and ultimately defeated by eastside residents. “People cost money and businesses bring money,” Kitty said. “The only way you can make money there is through density and the neighborhood isn’t interested in density.” Wilton Manors police first reported the fire, Ballon said. The Gazette has reached out to WMPD and the State Fire Marshal’s office for comment and more information and will provide updates as they become available.
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON NEXT
OPINION
By Sal Torre
Back in January of this year residents of the Island City were asked to participate in the Wilton Next Branding Strategy Study. Our city’s Economic Development Division reached out to area businesses, neighborhood associations, and residents city-wide to take part in this study and to help shape the future vision of our Island City. This past week the results of this outreach were presented to the city commission in a draft presentation by Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA). Many residents following the project were left scratching their heads. Westside residents in particular were questioning the data that supported Andrews Avenue being promoted as the new Medtail and Wellness District of the city. In case you haven’t kept up with branding lingo or marketing catch phrases, Medtail is the new buzzword that refers to medical or healthcare tenants located in a retail setting. The pitch done by RMA sounded wonderful, clean, healthy and futuristic. Medtail and Wellness businesses will create a vibe for the “Avenue,” bringing in daytime foot traffic and saving us from the vacant retail storefronts plaguing so many communities. As with most advertising and branding strategies the goal is to sell something, to make you believe, and to get you hooked. Not all Westsiders were ready to drink the Kool-Aid. Boutique health, wellness, and dentist offices lining Andrews Avenue is not what most Westside residents are looking for. Of the over 300 survey responses received from residents — none of them mentioned a health, wellness and medical district. What they did mention were more cafes, restaurants, retail options, along with thriving mixed use zoning areas that would bring in new residents and neighborhood–oriented businesses. In our little two square mile city, perhaps it might be best to promote the entire city as a health and wellness opportunity and not just along a distinct corridor of the city. The east side of town already hosts an Urgent Care Center, a veterinary hospital, the Marrison’s Independent and Assisted Living Residences and numerous other health and wellness businesses. The central area
April 21, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 8 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
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along Dixie Highway has numerous gyms, yoga studios, pet day care and similar Medtail and wellness operations. Why not incorporate all that exists already in a city-wide promotion rather than recreating the wheel with RMA’s suggestions to have Andrews Avenue become the Medtail and Wellness District? There is plenty in the presentation to be excited about. Many of the suggestions have already been worked on or in the planning stages for some time and others were a welcome addition to highlighting this special place we call the Island City. Gateway signage and unique lighting features to make people know they have entered our Island City was a welcome inclusion in the study. This idea is not anything new but all part of our Wayfinding Project approved years ago and with much public input. Hopefully one day soon, now that the funding should be in place, we will finally see this vital project transform our city. Glad to hear it supported so strongly in the branding strategy. Another goal that many residents would like to see included in future city planning would be a high priority placed on bicycle and pedestrian safety. Now that we have successfully established our mixeduse zoning corridors throughout the city, it’s time we think about making them pedestrian
friendly with shade structures, trees, wide sidewalks and gathering spaces. Bike lanes should not only exist within certain areas but should have total connectivity throughout our city and tied into neighboring cities pathways and bike lanes. An upcoming Bike Safety Day sponsored by the Community Affairs Advisory Board highlights our city’s deficiency when it comes to safe connectivity of bicycle lanes. The event includes a Bike Scavenger Hunt, but organizers did not look to include the entire Westside Community due to safety concerns of the bikers crossing Andrews Avenue. This reality sums up the concerns many on the Westside have been expressing for years, to have safety issues addressed not just on Andrews Avenue but along Powerline Road and throughout our community. These concerns are not just limited to vehicular traffic but also need to address the shared usage of our roadways with bicycles and pedestrians. Hopefully the Westside Traffic Study will produce a roadmap for necessary improvements and not just offer sidewalks as the solution. Creating fully connected, clearly marked, dedicated bike lanes that transverse our Island City and connecting to neighbors across our waterways would do wonders in promoting and branding our city as a great place to live, work and play. Asking residents to participate is great, but you also have to listen to what they are saying. Working together and creating a plan for Wilton Manors next 75 years needs to include what residents want for our Island City. Having this conversation and debate is what makes life just better here.
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GAZETTE Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com
"Asking residents to participate is great, but you also have to listen to what they are saying."
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COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
BICYCLE LANES, SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS AND MORE FROM THE COMMISSION
‘WELLNESS CORRIDOR’ RECOMMENDED FOR ANDREWS AVE.
By John McDonald
By John McDonald At their regular meeting on April 12, Wilton Manors commissioners were presented with a market analysis and branding strategy report that called for a focus on wellness. Redevelopment Management Associates delivered a 216-page report to the commission, recommending the city embrace a wellness trend that carries a $4.4 trillion global economic impact. Lynn Dehlinger, RMA Director of Economic Development, said some of Broward County’s top medical groups are interested in moving to Wilton Manors. “They are highly visible businesses and they pay top dollar rents,” Dehlinger said. Andrews Ave., RMA determined, was the ideal place to designate a wellness corridor. Those findings, however, were greeted with skepticism. Resident Hunter Stephens said surveys of residents show a desire for more restaurants, retail and hospitality developments. “I am concerned that the very detailed work on market analysis hasn’t really been laid up against what residents want and need in terms of development in these commercial corridors,” Stephens said. Fellow westside resident Jake Valentine echoed Stephens’ concerns about a medical district branding, recalling previous developments that resulted in the CSL plasma donation center on Andrews Ave. “Don’t wish too hard for something because you just may get it,” Valentine cautioned commissioners. “CSL has been an issue with our side of town for years and they’re not going anywhere.” RMA, a Pompano Beach based firm, was paid $74,500 for the report, titled WiltonNext. Other notes from the April 12 meeting: Police Chief Gary Blocker announced 19 graduates of the city’s 2022 Citizen’s Police Academy. Mayor Scott Newton congratulated the group on completing the 10-week program. “It’s amazing when you live in a city and you find out what really goes on behind the scenes of a city, because there’s a lot more you don’t know until you go through that class. I’m glad you went through it and see what a lot of us go through every day,” Newton said. Commissioners, on a 4-1 vote, approved an amendment to the city’s general planning consulting agreement with Calvin, Giordano & Associates Inc. This is the 11th amendment
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WILTON MANORS
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of the agreement that began in November of 2017. The city will pay the community development firm a lump sum of $14,980 to study the impacts of an additional 1,000 midrise units in the transit-oriented corridors of Wilton Dr., Dixie Hwy. and Northeast 26th St. Commissioner Gary Resnick voted against the amendment. Resident Boyd Corbin asked the city to remove a pile of bricks near the parking lot at Don Eislee Park. Corbin said a brick was thrown through his vehicle’s window and his iPhone was stolen. A jurisdiction tussle between the Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors Police Departments ensued before Corbin tracked the device to a machine inside the Walmart on Broward Blvd. and with the assistance of Fort Lauderdale police, successfully retrieved the phone. In his speech to the commission, Corbin, who is considering a campaign for mayor, called for cameras and routine patrols at the park. “We need some big changes with the Wilton Manors Police Department starting from the top,” he said. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson proposed ending Zoom broadcasts of meetings. The meeting lasted three hours and 32 minutes. The next regular commission meeting is April 26.
Three transportation projects were greenlighted by the Wilton Manors commission, part of an overall effort to advance mobility plans for better pedestrian connectivity. Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a construction and maintenance agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for work on Northwest 29th Street between Powerline Road and Andrews Avenue. The project calls for lane width reduction to include bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the street. The project, however, does have its detractors. “I think it is ridiculous to add four-foot wide bicycle lanes on both sides of the very busy and narrow NW 29th Street,” said resident Paul Kuta. “I oppose narrowing heavily trafficked roads in Wilton Manors because they cause problems for trucks and service vehicles and cause back-ups.” City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said a door-knocking outreach effort was made on the street with two more public meetings planned. Construction, Henderson said, begins in late summer. Commissioner Gary Resnick asked for designs for the project and suggested city management approach Somerset Academy Village about the incoming changes. “Maybe you could talk to the church or the charter school and get them to do something about their fence,” Resnick told Henderson. “It looks more like a prison fence than a fence for a school.” On another unanimous vote, commissioners approved an agreement with planning and design consulting firm Kimley-Horn for improvements to Northeast 26th Street between Dixie Highway and Middle River. Broward County surtax funds will be used in redesigning the current sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The third project, approved on another unanimous vote, calls for installation, maintenance and repairs to the existing Wilton Drive landscaping and irrigation system. Green Construction Technologies won the contract for phase two work on the Wilton Drive Lane Elimination Project. Other notes from the March 22 meeting: A classification and compensation study was presented to the commission by HR Compensation Consultants. The study found 28 employees fell below the minimum pay range and 73 employees needed equity
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adjustments. The cost of the adjustments is $351,824. Commissioner Chris Caputo expressed concerns over turnover, noting the city recently lost three Leisure Services Department employees to Dunkin’ Donuts. The city approved an event permit for the Stonewall Parade and Street Festival. The annual event, which draws an estimated 35,000 people, is scheduled for June 18. Former Commissioner Julie Carson and police officer Nikki Cox were presented with awards in honor of Women’s History Month. Carson, attending the meeting with her mother Louise, who recently celebrated her 95th birthday, said she was “touched” by the honor. Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker said Officer Cox’s passion for her profession and commitment to service is “next level.” Vice Mayor Paul Rolli asked City Attorney Kerry Ezrol to keep the commission updated on the status of an elections bill that passed both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. SB/HB 524 creates a new bureau to investigate election crimes and awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. Ezrol said the new law prohibits the use of ranked choice voting. Commissioner Mike Bracchi asked for city staff to review code to determine which laws are not being enforced. Bracchi referred to the use of plastic straws as an example. Resnick asked for a revision of the city’s vacation rentals regulations to include that at least one adult age 21 or older be on property while the unit is rented. Mayor Scott Newton said he suggested the minimum age limit be 25. Resident Michael Rajner said the city is preparing to disband its Civil Service Board in November without providing an alternative for employees who may need recourse. “I continue to be alarmed that there is a referendum to sunset the Civil Service Board,” said Rajner, who phoned in to the meeting via Zoom from Brazil. The meeting lasted two hours and 47 minutes. The next regular commission meeting is April 12.
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NEWS
WILTON MANORS
FDOT TO HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS ON WESTSIDE STREET PROJECT By John McDonald Construction on the $1.5 million project begins in winter, FDOT officials said, and is expected to take one year. Work will be done in phases with no construction allowed at night or on weekends. For more information, contact Humberto Arrieta, project manager at (954) 777-4152.
PROJECT LOCATION
Andrews Avenue
Renderings of NW 29th Street Complete Streets Improvements. Images courtesy of FDOT.
Powerline Road
Two public meetings are scheduled next week for residents to learn more about the upcoming Northwest 29th St. Complete Streets Project. The Florida Department of Transportation has scheduled a virtual meeting for Monday, April 25 at 6 p.m. followed by an in-person meeting on Tuesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Woman’s Club of Wilton Manors, 600 Northeast 21st Court. The project’s proposed improvements include repaving the street, repairing a damaged sidewalk and constructing a new sidewalk to fill gaps, adding green painted bike lanes, modifying drainage structures, adding signs and pavement markings and upgrading pedestrian crossing signals at both intersections. Northwest 29th St. connects SR 845/ Powerline Rd. and Andrews Ave. with 100 single family homes and five businesses facing the corridor.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
WILTON NEXT IS A GOOD START, BUT WE CAN DO BETTER SFGN recently shared with readers the initial results of RMA Associates study, which has been referred to as WiltonNext. In John McDonald’s article from April 15 (https:// bit.ly/3uU7RF6), John points out that RMA has recommended Wilton Manors embrace Wellness as a brand identity and business focus along Andrews Avenue. I am glad to see that feedback from Hunter Stephens, President of the Westside Association of Wilton Manors, was included. Hunter states, “I am concerned that the very detailed work on market analysis hasn’t really been laid up against what residents want and need in terms of development in these commercial corridors.” I believe RMA Associates did an excellent job of identify the demographics of our city,
"Our city needs to focus on Community Development — not economic development — along the Avenue."
existing business mix, comparable cities, and industry trends in general. They are not incorrect that Wellness is going to play an important part of our mixed use and commercial real estate throughout the city in the future — just as well throughout Broward County and the State of Florida. Where I believe their recommendations have fallen short of meeting the need is in their desire to classify the Avenue (as we affectionately refer to Andrews Ave) as the ideal corridor for a new Wellness district. The trend for Wellness related businesses — doctors, MedSpas, fitness studios, anything health related — is a nationwide trend. It is not a need limited to a particular corridor in our city. I am strongly concerned about the idea that all these businesses might be focused in one neighborhood. As residents of Wilton Manors, all of us need Doctors, many of us use fitness studios, and I certainly enjoy visiting a med spa now and then! More importantly, the residents on the west side have been very clear. They are not interested in economic development for economic development’s sake. This is their
backyard. As someone who is as close of a walk to the Avenue as I am to the Drive, I couldn’t agree more. Don’t take my word for it but review the community feedback surveys residents submitted. I didn’t find one single west side resident expressing an interest in more medical buildings along the Avenue, but I did read a lot of requests for the kind of businesses that make neighborhoods more livable and improve quality of life. Our city needs to focus on Community Development — not economic development — along the Avenue. There is certainly room for a yoga studio, a gym, and a chiropractor along the Avenue as part of a larger mix of businesses that residents can use. What we want as residents is also great restaurants, specialty, and upscale retail stores, and so forth. At a future meeting, my fellow commissioners and I will discuss any desired modifications to the plan and our city’s implementation strategy. At that time, I will express my desire to avoid the Avenue becoming solely focused on “Wellness.” I ask residents to continue remaining involved and
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Graphic created with images via RawPixel.
engaged in the process. Please share your feelings with my fellow commissioners who are interested in hearing from you. If you’d like to share your feedback on the WiltonNext project so far or request a copy of the WiltonNext project report and community data, you can email me at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com.
— CHRIS CAPUTO
WILTON MANORS CITY COMMISSIONER