Curious about the dramatic redesign of the Galleria mall that calls for nine 30-story buildings?
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis is hosting a special town hall meeting tonight for residents who want to learn more about how the project would advance under the state’s Live Local Act.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, 2800 Yacht Club Blvd. For those who cannot attend in person, the city is providing a live-streaming option.
You can watch on Fort Lauderdale’s cable access channel or on the city’s YouTube page. Parking at the Yacht Club will be via a free valet service.
Overflow parking will be available at George English Park with shuttles running between the park and the Yacht Club beginning around 5 p.m.
Under current plans, the developer plans to build more than 3,000 residences, with 1,273 that qualify as workforce housing. The plans also call for a 170-room hotel along with new shops and restaurants.
Critics might not like the plan. But under the state’s Live Local Act, they might just have to live with it.
“This is probably one of the most significant projects to come to our city,” Trantalis told the Sun Sentinel in a recent interview. “I think the residents would deserve to have some say on the scale and scope, because they are going to have to live with it. We’re not interested in stopping any redevelopment. But I think the scale has to be addressed.”
During the meeting, City Hall staff will explain how the Live Local Act works and give a presentation on the project itself, Trantalis said.
The new state law aims to boost affordable housing throughout Florida.
To qualify as a Live Local project, at least 40% of the residential units must be designated as workforce housing for households earning up to $115,440, which represents 120% of the current median income in Broward County. The affordability requirement must be maintained for at least 30 years.
Under the law, developers can build to the highest currently allowed height for a commercial or residential building within a one-mile radius. In addition, all city approvals are handled by administrative staff.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan