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Progress in Pompano: Atlantic Blvd/Dixie Hwy Improvement Project

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RocaPoint Partners Community Meeting on the Plans and Vision for the New Downtown February 7, 2024

Special CRA Board Meeting & City Commission Meeting RocaPoint Presentation 1-23-24

City and CRA Announce Community Meetings | Overview and Status Update on the Vision for the New Downtown

Wednesday, February 7th | 6:00 p.m. | Pompano Beach Cultural Center | 50 West Atlantic Boulevard

Thursday, February 8th | 6:00 p.m. | Emma Lou Olson Civic Center |1801 NE 6th Street

The City of Pompano Beach and the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have announced two Community Meetings to be held regarding the development of our future Downtown.

The Community Meetings will take place on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard and on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center located at 1801 NE 6th Street.

The meetings will be hosted by RocaPoint Partners LLC, and co-sponsored by the City of Pompano Beach and its Community Redevelopment Agency.

RocaPoint Partners LLC, the proposer with whom the City will negotiate as the Master Developer, will give an overview and status update on the vision for the new Downtown. Two meetings are being held to provide two different opportunities to attend. Both meetings will consist of the same presentation.

All interested persons are urged to attend the meeting, to hear the presentation and to provide public comment.

Any person requiring auxiliary aids and services at this meeting may call the City Clerk’s Office at (954) 786-4611 one (1) business day prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service 1-800-955-8770 or 1-800-955-8771.

Special Joint Meeting Thursday, October 12, 2023

Joint Special Meeting

On Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at 100 W Atlantic Blvd., there will be a Joint Meeting of the City Commission of Pompano Beach and the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for consideration and approval of the ranking of the respondents to the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the Master Developer for the new Downtown. The City and CRA’s independent consultant CBRE will make a presentation regarding the information provided by the respondents. The Negotiating Team will provide a ranking of the two respondents.

Project Update 9/12/23: Dixie Highway Lane Repurposing Proposed Phase 4A MOT

The MOT design proposed for the Atlantic Boulevard Lane Repurposing project has now entered Phase 4, encompassing the area west of Dixie Highway from the beginning of the project to the FEC railroad. In Phase 4A, the contractor will carry out outside curb construction work on the north side of Atlantic Blvd. To maintain uninterrupted traffic flow, the contractor will provide two lanes in both directions at the intersection of Atlantic and Dixie. The consultant will develop phasing plans, temporary signing, and pavement markings to effectively manage this change. The DDEC team has initiated project coordination with Broward County Transit (BCT) and the City of Pompano, aiming to minimize disruptions to traffic flow and ensure the safe navigation of pedestrians through the construction zones.

Project Location Map: Atlantic Boulevard Phase 4

  • Phase4A will involve a shift to the north side of Atlantic Blvd. west of the FEC railroad for the construction of drainage structures, new sidewalks, and curbing.
  • Work is scheduled for closure on the weekend of 9/16
  • The consultant team began their coordination with Broward County Transit for rider alerts. The following Westbound BCT bus stops will be impacted:
    • Stop ID: 4435 - Atlantic Blvd & Dixie Hwy.
    • Stop ID: 5550 - Atlantic Blvd & NW 6Ave.
  • Pedestrian access will be maintained on the South side of Atlantic Blvd and pedestrians will need to cross at Dixie Highway and NW 6th. Ave. along the corridor.
  • Landscape and planting along South Atlantic Blvd. will occur during this phase.
  • To ensure that the work zone meets standards for safety and accessibility, the contractor will provide MUTCD(Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices)signs. These signs will include regulatory, warning, and informational signage to direct traffic around the work zone safely and to provide essential information to drivers.
  • The contractor will provide advance warning messaging to alert drivers of any changes in traffic patterns, road closures, or other disruptions that may affect their journey. This messaging will be posted on electronic signs and other visible locations to ensure that drivers have sufficient time to adjust their routes and driving behaviors.
  • Phase 4A is expected to last up to three months.

Join the City of Pompano Beach and CRA for a Dynamic Panel Discussion with the South Florida Business Journal

The City of Pompano Beach and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are hosting the South Florida Business Journal’s Breaking Ground Roundtable moderated by Real Estate Editor, Brian Bandell. The Roundtable is a discussion forum for South Florida’s prominent builders, developers and corporate real estate leaders. These discussions bring together the region’s leading industry experts to discuss commercial real estate news within core verticals and specific geographic neighborhoods throughout South Florida.

Three industry experts will accompany Brian at the Roundtable: Adam Adache, Managing Partner of Cavache Properties and Owner of Adache Group Architects and Real Estate; Corey Long, Vice President of Construction for The Cordish Companies; and Nick Perez, Condominiums Division President for Related Group.

Advanced registration through the South Florida Business Journal is required

Register here: https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/event/169778/2023/breaking-ground-with-brian-bandell-pompano-beach

South Florida Biz Journal Panel Discussion

Downtown Master Developer Public Workshop Presentations

The City of Pompano Beach and the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) hosted a public workshop on May 3rd which featured presentations by the two short-listed Master Developers who responded to the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) issued by the City and CRA to select a Master Developer for the Downtown. Links to the presentations are below.

Comments can be emailed to downtown@copbfl.com.

Project Update 7/24/23: Dixie Highway Lane Repurposing Proposed Phase 3A MOT

The MOT design proposed for the Dixie Highway Lane Repurposing Project has now entered Phase 3A, encompassing the west side of Dixie Highway north of Atlantic Blvd. To maintain uninterrupted traffic flow, the contractor will provide one southbound lane while maintaining two northbound lanes—the approved phasing plans, temporary signing, and pavement markings to effectively manage this change. A temporary sidewalk will be constructed on the East side of Dixie to provide a path for pedestrians. This phase will begin construction on July 24th, 2023 for approximately 2 months. The DDEC team has initiated project coordination with Broward County Transit (BCT) and the City of Pompano, aiming to minimize traffic flow disruptions and ensure pedestrians' safe navigation through the construction zones. Below is a summary of Dixie Highway Phase 3A:

Project Location Map: Dixie Highway Phase 3A

  • Dixie Phase 3A will be on the West side of Dixie Highway north of Atlantic Blvd. for the
    construction of drainage structures, new sidewalks, and curbing.
  • Phase 3A construction will begin on 7/24/2023 for approximately 2 months
    • Dixie Hwy & NW 6 St - Stop ID: 1953
    • Dixie Hwy & NW 8 St - Stop ID: 5417
  • The consultant team began their coordination with Broward County Transit for rider
    alerts. The following Southbound BCT bus stops will be impacted:
    • Dixie Northbound: 2 left turn westbound lanes, 2 Northbound through lanes, and
      1 right turn eastbound lane.
    • Dixie Southbound: 1 left turn eastbound lane, 1 southbound through lane, and 1
      right turn westbound lane.
    • Atlantic Eastbound: 1 left turn northbound lane, 2 eastbound through lanes, 1
      right turn southbound lane
    • Atlantic Westbound: 1 left turn southbound lane, 2 westbound through lanes, 1
      right turn northbound lane.
  • At the intersection of Atlantic Blvd. and Dixie Highway, the configurations are the
    following:
  • A temporary pedestrian path will be installed along the FEC right of way for connectivity
    to Atlantic Blvd. Pedestrians are advised to follow pedestrian detour signage and be
    cautious around work zones.
  • East/West pedestrian crossing along Dixie Highway is available at the following
    intersections:
    • Dixie Highway and 3rd Street
    • Dixie Highway and 6th Street
    • Dixie Highway and 10th Street
  • To ensure that the work zone meets standards for safety and accessibility, the contractor
    will provide MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) signs. These signs will
    include regulatory, warning, and informational signage to direct traffic around the work
    zone safely and to provide essential information to drivers.
  • The contractor will provide advance warning messaging to alert drivers of any changes
    in traffic patterns, road closures, or other disruptions that may affect their journey. This
    messaging will be posted on electronic signs and other visible locations to ensure that
    drivers have sufficient time to adjust their routes and driving behaviors.

Project Update 5/18/23: Atlantic Blvd. Lane Repurposing Proposed Phase 3B MOT

The proposed MOT design for the Atlantic Boulevard Lane Repurposing project is now in Phase 3, covering the area east of Dixie Highway from FEC railroad to the end of the project limit.

Phase 3B, which is about to start, involves outside curb construction work on the southside of Atlantic Boulevard. The Contractor will provide two lanes in both directions at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway without disrupting traffic.

The consultant will provide phasing plans, temporary signage, and pavement markings to manage this change. The work will require coordination with Broward County Transit and the City of Pompano Beach to minimize disruptions to traffic flow and ensure that pedestrians can safely navigate the construction zones.

  • Phase 3B will involve a shift to the south side of Atlantic Boulevard east of the FEC railroad for the construction of drainage structures, new sidewalks, and curbing.
  • Construction will begin before the existing Bus Stop on Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway Stop ID: 4438. This stop will be temporarily closed for the remainder of the project.
  • The existing traffic signal at NE 1st Avenue will be deactivated with right turn only proposed for 1st Avenue.
  • During the construction period, two lanes of traffic westbound and eastbound along Atlantic Boulevard will be maintained. However, the left turn queue length will be shortened to make room for the construction activities.
  • Cypress and Atlantic Intersection:
  • There will be an impact on left turn southbound traffic at Atlantic Boulevard and Cypress Road for approximately 2 weeks starting 5/22/2023.
  • Construction activities on the South side of Atlantic Boulevard will be:
  • Removal of existing concrete “peanut” island and temporary asphalt will be installed
  • Pedestrian access is closed
  • New pavement markings will be installed at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Cypress Road with a dedicated right turn “only” turn lane.
  • There will be no pedestrian crossing accommodated north-south along Atlantic Boulevard adjacent to City Hall during the construction period. Pedestrians are encouraged to use Dixie Highway to cross safely.
  • To ensure that the workzone meets standards for safety and accessibility, the contractor will provide MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) signs. These signs will include regulatory, warning, and informational signage to direct traffic around the work zone safely and to provide essential information to drivers.
  • The contractor will provide advance warning messaging to alert drivers of any changes in traffic patterns, road closures, or other disruptions that may affect their journey. This messaging will be posted on electronic signs and other visible locations to ensure that drivers have sufficient time to adjust their routes and driving behaviors.
  • Phase 3B is expected to last up to two months.

The City and CRA will Host a Downtown Public Workshop on May 3rd, 2023

The City of Pompano Beach and the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will be hosting a public workshop featuring presentations by the two short-listed Master Developers who responded to an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN). The meeting will take place on Wednesday, May3rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center which is located at 50 West Atlantic Boulevard.

“We are looking forward to introducing these Master Developers to our residents, business owners, and stakeholders,” said Nguyen Tran, CRA Director. “This Workshop will provide an exciting opportunity for the public to view each proposer’s plan for the Downtown, while providing input about the specifics of each plan.”

The CRA hired globally acclaimed real estate firm CBRE as the exclusive agent to broadly market the opportunity and analyze responses for a Master Real Estate Developer for the +/-75.38-acres of publicly-owned land assemblages along the I-95 corridor. The Master Developers will be announced at the meeting, not prior. After the public input meeting, the ITN Negotiating Team will begin negotiations with the two respondents. This is typically a lengthy and complex process; therefore, the final award date cannot be estimated at this time.

Downtown Pompano Beach includes four quadrants: The Old Town District, also known as Old Pompano; The Civic Commons District, which includes City Hall, the library, and Cultural Center; the Innovation District, with MLK Boulevard as the “main street” between Dixie Highway and I-95; and a residential area.

Located in Broward County between Palm Beach and Miami Dade Counties, Pompano Beach is looking to capture the influx of new development interest flocking to the State of Florida. With land assemblies ranging in size from +/- .2 – 8.35 acres, the large amount of acreage is a unique opportunity to build on the foundation the City and CRA have laid for development of the new Downtown. A commuter rail stop is planned in the middle of the Downtown area and will connect the four intersections of Downtown where redevelopment is already occurring. Two new luxury apartment projects, restaurants and cultural buildings were all drawn to the area based on aggressive public investment by the City and its CRA. The public investments included a new $50 million beachfront, garage and pier, a $180 million bond for citywide public improvements, land use and zoning upgrades, infrastructure and streetscape improvements, and entitlements and availability of land for residential, hotel and commercial development.

Youre invited

Project Update 4/20/23: Atlantic Blvd. Lane Repurposing Proposed Phase 3A MOT

The proposed MOT design for the Atlantic Blvd. Lane Repurposing project is now in Phase 3, covering the area east of Dixie Highway from FEC railroad to the end of the project limit. Phase 3A involves median construction work to provide two lanes in both directions at the intersection of Atlantic and Dixie without disrupting traffic. The consultant will provide phasing plans, temporary signing, and pavement markings to manage this change. The work will require coordination with BCT and the City of Pompano Beach to minimize disruptions to traffic flow and ensure that pedestrians can safely navigate the construction zones.

Atlantic Dixie Map

Project Location Map: Atlantic Blvd. Phase 3

  • Phase 3A involves the removal of the existing median on Atlantic Blvd. by the contractor, from approximately 100 feet from the FEC railroad to Cypress Road. The median will be replaced with temporary asphalt, which will be leveled to match the surrounding roadway. The demolition and restoration of the median at this location is expected to take approximately four weeks.
  • Next, the contractor will install the proposed curb on the south side within this project limit to ensure that cars cannot make illegal left turns or U-turns at 1st Avenue. This curb will be constructed to prevent vehicles from turning in directions that are not allowed, which will improve safety for all road users. This work is expected to take approximately four weeks.
  • The existing traffic signal at NE 1st Avenue will be deactivated (bagged). Stop conditions are proposed on 1st Avenue, with right turn only.
  • During the construction period, two lanes of traffic westbound will be maintained. However, the left turn queue length will be temporarily shortened to make room for the construction activities. As a result, there will be an impact on left turn southbound traffic for the duration of the project.
  • There will be no pedestrian crossing accommodated north-south along Atlantic Blvd. adjacent to City Hall during the construction period. Pedestrians are encouraged to use Dixie Highway or Cypress to cross safely.
  • To ensure that the workzone meets standards for safety and accessibility, the contractor will provide MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) signs. These signs will include regulatory, warning, and informational signage to direct traffic around the work zone safely and to provide essential information to drivers.
  • The contractor will provide advance warning messaging to alert drivers of any changes in traffic patterns, road closures, or other disruptions that may affect their journey. This messaging will be posted on electronic signs and other visible locations to ensure that drivers have sufficient time to adjust their routes and driving behaviors.
  • Phase 3A is expected to last up to two months. Following this phase, the contractor will be working on Phase 3B, which involves construction on the south side of Atlantic Blvd., east of the FEC railroad.

Project Update 3/9/23

From March 13th until April 31st:

On Atlantic Blvd., two lanes will remain open in both directions. Construction will move from the center of the road west of Dixie Hwy. to the outer east bound lane west of Dixie Hwy. If you're driving towards the east, the outside (south side) lanes will be closed. The number of lanes east bound will remain two lanes as they are now because the new lane being constructed in the center median area will be opened. Construction activities in this area will begin with the old sidewalk and drainage structures being removed and replaced, followed by other improvements.

On Dixie Hwy., the number of lanes north and south bound will remain as they currently are, one lane, with the lane shifted to adjust for construction. Construction will move to improvements on the east side of Dixie. The work will also begin by removing the old curb and putting in new drainage structures to be followed by new curb, sidewalk, bike lanes, and other improvements.

As Pompano Beach booms with change, it’s paying off with rising values

By Amber Bonefont

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Feb 21, 2023 at 7:06 pm

Beach Photo
Beachgoers walk the recently developed area near the Fisher Family Pier on Pompano Beach on Tuesday. The redeveloped area has seen its share of multimillion-dollar properties whose values keep soaring. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

POMPANO BEACH — New restaurants and businesses have changed the face of Pompano Beach’s beachside, bringing more visitors from across the region and a sharp rise in property values. Now, the city is now turning to its downtown area as it keeps focusing on redevelopment.

During a presentation Tuesday, officials talked of the city’s growth — and ways to bring revenue through development efforts in the downtown area. Urban planner Joe Minicozzi also noted the rising values that have resulted from redevelopment so far. Among the takeaways: The Pompano Beach Fishing Village now has a value of about $6.5 million an acre — significantly more than in 2013, when it was at $1.6 million per acre, according to numbers from the presentation.

Pompano Beach is already seeing a boom in its downtown with new restaurants such as South Bar and Kitchen on 165 NE 1st Ave and Papamigos at 44 NE 1st St. All have been added to the Old Town District area, along with a 282-unit apartment complex. At the same time, the Innovation District, another of the districts in Pompano’s downtown located between Dixie Highway and I-95, is undergoing plans to become a walkable, mixed-use area.

It was with that in mind that Minicozzi, founder of consulting firm Urban3, gave a presentation that touched on opportunities for Pompano Beach and how to best use land to bring economic value to the city. “There has been some growth in your values as far as the return you are getting,” Minicozzi said during the presentation.

The city is now turning its eye to the downtown, often seen as the area bordered by I-95 on the west, Dixie Highway on the east, Atlantic Boulevard on the south and Northwest Sixth Street on the north after having invested millions toward making the beachside of Pompano Beach a destination for residents and snowbirds alike.

Read the full story at the Sun-Sentinel.com


Download PowerPoint Presentation


MPO Image

This entire article speaks to why we're doing the streetscape improvements projects at Dixie/Atlantic. We are years ahead of the curve!

Broward bets on federal money

Lawmakers announce $5 million grant to reduce pedestrian deaths

Florida Sun Sentinel

By Spencer Norris South Florida Sun Sentinel

You’re more likely to be killed crossing the street in Broward County than almost anywhere else in America. But a new influx of federal funding will at least help the county figure out how to keep pedestrians safe.

Congressman Jared Moskowitz and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced a $5 million federal grant Thursday to improve road safety in the county, with a $1.25 million match from the county. The net $6.25 million will be overseen by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization and used to study how to improve road safety.

The $5 million is just an entry point to a much larger pot of federal funding that will be used to perform the improvements. MPO executive director Gregory Stuart said at a news conference Thursday that as much as $500 million in additional funding could come down the pike eventually.

But that money isn’t guaranteed. Wasserman Schultz said that the funding streams are competitive. Broward will have to demonstrate that it has greater need than other municipalities and that it can pull off the projects it proposes to keep people safe.The first part shouldn’t be too hard. Broward is in one of the deadliest areas in the nation for pedestrian traffic accidents. Smart Growth America, a non-profit organization, found that the metro area that includes Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach has the 14th-highest rate of pedestrian traffic fatalities out of 101 metro areas. Florida has the second-highest rate of pedestrian deaths of any state.

Elected officials held out the county’s uniquely dangerous road conditions as clear evidence that they will need the extra dollars, and quickly. “The need for change is urgent,” Wasserman Schultz said.

But even if Broward is able to get the funding for construction, the county is at least years out from fixing the roads. Locals should expect to see safety improvements to their roadways by at least 2028, according to Stuart’s deputy director, James Cromar. Many streets in South Florida are unwalkable. Cromar pointed to evidence just outside the front door of the Coral Springs safety building where Wasserman Schultz and Moskowitz held their press conference. Thesidewalk ends abruptly and drops straight into grass. And on the other side of the street, the only place for pedestrians to walk was an uneven field being used for parking Thursday.

Gaps in basic walkability measures, like crosswalks and crossing signals, can make a stroll through the neighborhood a gamble. At the press conference, Moskowitz highlighted a recent accident, when a 76-year-old man from Pompano Beach was struck and killed while walking.

Broward residents are acutely aware of these problems. A recent survey conducted by a Broward advisory board found that transit safety was one of the top priorities among hundreds of respondents, even more than congestion in some locations. Among respondents, very few felt safe commuting, especially cyclists and pedestrians.

Atlantic Boulevard/Dixie Highway Streetscape Project Enters New Segment

The City of Pompano Beach will begin the second segment of its Streetscape Improvements to Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway beginning on January 17th. The project will realign Atlantic Boulevard, creating a signature entrance to the heart of our City and setting the foundation for our new Downtown.

Segment One included improvements on Dixie Highway from McNab Road to SW 3rd Street.

Segment Two will include improvements from SW 3rd Street to NE 10th Street on Dixie Highway and from west of NW 6th Avenue to east of Cypress Road on Atlantic Boulevard. Construction will be sequenced in order to minimize the inconvenience to the public.

On Dixie Highway, construction will begin at NE 10th Street and work will progress southward to Atlantic Boulevard. This phase of construction will occur in the center of the roadway, where the existing median will be removed and a new median will be constructed. Between NE 10th Street and Atlantic Boulevard on Dixie Highway, one lane of travel will remain open in each direction.

On Atlantic Boulevard, work will begin west of Dixie Highway in the center median. Two through lanes in both the east and west direction of travel on Atlantic Boulevard will remain open during this phase of construction.

Prior to construction, messaging boards will be strategically placed at various locations advising the public of upcoming construction, as well as suggested alternate routes.

This phase of construction is expected to take approximately three months to complete. Construction updates will continue to be provided to the public as the project progresses.

The Progress in Pompano! Project to improve the Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway corridor was made possible after a successful collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to acquire Dixie Highway in its entirety in the City of Pompano Beach. This acquisition was essential in order for the City to have the flexibility to add major beautification elements to the project for Pompano Beach’s new signature entrance. FDOT transferred almost $5 million in funding to the City as this money had already been designated for the resurfacing of Dixie Highway. The City will also receive approximately $25 million from the Broward County Transportation Surtax fund which is designated for transportation. Additionally, funding was provided by the City’s General Obligation (GO) Bond and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Project Update 2/16/23

We have created a FAQ sheet based on your questions and will continue to update this information.

1) Why are Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard under construction?

We are creating a safer environment on Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway and creating a signature entranceway to Pompano Beach and our new Downtown to attract economic development to the area.

After 20 years of planning, the City has issued a bid for the future development of the downtown area on the 60 acres of City/CRA owned land. Development would include new office, residential, retail, civic and other urban uses. The project is projected to stimulate over $750 million in economic impact, create jobs for the local community, and create a new tax base for the City, which in turn keeps taxes lower for current residents.

2) What is the public benefit of this project?

The number of accidents in this area is unacceptable. The intersection is currently a 12-lane blighted highway. It is the City’s responsibility to create a safer environment.

The section of Atlantic Boulevard between NW 6th Avenue and NE 7th Avenue had approximately 122 accidents in 2021. Using the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) accident and analysis procedures, this section of Atlantic Boulevard is considered a high crash location compared to other similar roadways in South Florida. Atlantic Boulevard has twice the number of accidents it should have and over 5 times the amount that FDOT considers acceptable. Therefore, there is currently a safety problem on this roadway. Accidents not only have potential for injuries and deaths, but also impedes vehicular flow, leading to traffic congestion. The proposed improvements of Atlantic Boulevard will improve safety along this high-accident roadway.

For more FAQs please see this page.

Project Update 11/21/22

The Countdown to our Downtown has begun! We are setting the stage for a prosperous new area, one that will bring new jobs, support lower taxes, remove blight, and provide a vibrant social scene.

Watch for fencing to be erected around construction staging sites at CRA-owned properties west of the bus station along MLK Boulevard for the Downtown Atlantic/Dixie streetscape improvement project.

The Downtown vision is becoming a reality, and we look forward to sharing the Progress in Pompano, as we move to enhance the quality of life for our residents now, and for generations to come.

Project Update 11/1/22

Project on Schedule!

Timeline:

  • September 2022 - Permits submitted (and are currently under review)
  • Projected construction timeline:
    • Permits are anticipated to be issued in the 4th quarter of 2022
    • Project mobilization and construction will begin the 4th quarter of 2022 or 1st quarter of 2023
    • Message boards informing residents of future construction will be installed at least two weeks prior to start
    • Project work will begin on Dixie Highway north of Atlantic Boulevard
  • *Project Schedule, first published in May 2022, is available here.
    (Schedule subject to change based on permit approvals and delivery of materials)

Project Update 8/15/22

On July 12, 2022, the City Commission approved the second reading of the ordinance awarding Whiting|Turner the Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract for the Dixie and Atlantic Streetscape Improvement Project. This approval allows the City, Design Team, and Contractor to move forward with the next step, which is to finalize the drawings based on permit comments from various governmental entities.

The major design elements that have been depicted in all the conceptual renderings and drawings presented to the public, including the project presentation at the June 28th City Commission, is what will be built. For example, there will continue to be two through lanes going west bound along Atlantic Blvd. from Cypress Rd. to NW 6th Ave. In addition, as illustrated in the conceptual renderings and various diagrams that the City has produced, there is a third lane going westbound that is a dedicated left turn lane that begins in the vicinity of NE / SW 1st Ave, and a fourth lane that becomes a right turn lane for Dixie Hwy. These through lanes, and turn lanes, are illustrated on the diagram below. The specific configuration of the turn lanes will be further refined during the permit process.

While the drawings are nearly complete, there are several minor comments from the City Building Department and Broward County that the Design Team will respond to during the final revisions to the drawings. For example, some of the permit comments deal with:

  • Final tree species selection
  • Final shrub species selection
  • Size of tree root balls specified
  • Final configuration of turn lanes
  • Final location of mid-block crossing at NE / SW 1st Avenue
  • Final coordination of utilities

Once the permit comments have been addressed, then the Design Team will be able to issue drawings for construction. This process is consistent with all the other GO BOND projects.

The Design Team and City are working diligently to respond to the agency permit comments for construction to begin this Fall. Updates on the schedule will be provided as the project progresses.

Drone video Atlantic Boulevard from the Beach west to Dixie Highway. Narrated by Joaquin Vargas, Traf Tech Engineering

Aerial View of Downtown
Downtown Pompano Rendering Street
Atlantic Blvd West Rendering
Rendering atlantic and dixie

Progress in Pompano: Atlantic Blvd/Dixie Hwy FACTS

The City Commissioners listened to make sure constituent feedback was heard and understood, and their concerns were addressed. A total of 8 lanes were coned off during the testing period however almost all of the lanes have been restored in the optimized plan.

This means that drivers will not experience anything like the height of the cone implementation test phase with multiple lanes out of service at once!

Project FACTS:

  • This Complete Street design reduces speeding and creates a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians with wider medians and landscape buffers between cars, pedestrians and cyclists
  • The Revised Plan will maintain two through lanes westbound on Atlantic Blvd from A1A to NW 6th Ave, only eliminating one through-lane on westbound Atlantic Blvd for eight blocks, from Cypress Rd to NW 6th Ave
  • The timing of traffic lights was optimized and 1st Ave was reduced to right turns only
  • The left turn lanes on westbound Atlantic Blvd to go south on Cypress Rd, and to go south on Dixie Hwy, will be lengthened to avoid blocking through traffic
    Traffic Flow Map
    Downtown Pompano Looking south on NE 1st ave

    Progress in Pompano! Atlantic Boulevard/Dixie Highway Streetscape Project

    The City of Pompano Beach has embarked upon a transformative new road project that will realign Atlantic Boulevard, creating a signature entrance to the heart of our City. Inspired by the global trend of creating safer, more walkable cities that easily connect major districts, Pompano Beach’s plan will become the foundation for our new Downtown.

    These design changes will slow down speeding traffic and incentivize walking, while providing better, safer routes for everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and those taking public transportation.

    A city’s downtown is the heart and soul of the community. It is the engine that fuels prosperity, provides opportunity, and creates a sense of place and unity for its residents. For many years, Pompano Beach’s downtown was neither a point of pride nor an economic incubator. But now, thanks to years of strategic planning, the vision for our City’s future is being realized.

    Our Downtown commercial areas include The Old Town District, also known as Old Pompano; The Civic Commons District which includes City Hall, the Cultural Center and Library; and the Innovation District, with MLK Boulevard as the “main street” between Dixie Highway and I-95.

    As our cultural activities continue to grow, new restaurants and businesses open, and new residential developments are built, our Downtown will become a vibrant hub of social, entertainment, and business activity.

    To ensure the area is optimized for smart, safe growth, the roadway improvement project will feature a multi-use pedestrian and bike promenade with seating areas along both sides of Atlantic Boulevard and the center medians will be widened, landscaped, and extended providing a safer pedestrian crossing experience. A multi-use path along the West side of Dixie Highway separated from the road by landscaping is also planned.

    The Progress in Pompano! Project to improve the Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway corridor was made possible after a successful collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to acquire Dixie Highway in its entirety through Pompano Beach. This acquisition was essential in order for the City to have the flexibility to add major beautification elements to the project for Pompano Beach’s new signature entrance. FDOT transferred almost $5 million in funding to the City as this money had already been designated for the resurfacing of Dixie Highway. The City will also receive approximately $25 million from the Broward County Transportation Surtax fund which is designated for transportation.

    “This reimaging of Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway is similar to our beachfront restoration,” said Mayor Rex Hardin. “Initially the beach redevelopment project faced some resistance, but thanks to the cooperation of our residents and business owners through the construction phase, the beachfront is now a source of tremendous pride for the entire community.”

    All of the incremental development, redevelopment, public space improvements and new business openings, are evidence of the vibrant future and value of our City’s New Downtown, where everyone will experience a cool vibe and feel a warm welcome!

    The Value of “Building a Downtown” Ensuring Pompano Beach’s Future

    A city’s downtown is the heart and soul of the community. It is the engine that fuels prosperity, provides opportunity, and creates a sense of place and unity for its residents. For many years, our City’s downtown was neither a point of pride nor an economic incubator. But now, thanks to years of strategic planning, the vision for our City’s future is being realized. Every month, new signs of progress emerge. Is the process easy? No! But it is critical for our future success.

    In this article, we are doing a deeper dive into the value of a downtown and share some of the recent developments.

    But first, where is our downtown?

    Downtown Pompano Beach includes three distinct districts: The Old Town District, also known as Old Pompano; The Civic Commons District which includes City Hall, the Cultural Center and Library; and the Innovation District, with MLK Boulevard as the “main street” between Dixie Highway and I-95. The color-coded map below illustrates each of the three commercial districts within the 400-acre Downtown.

    Downtown Pompano

    Why do we have to develop our downtown?

    The City of Pompano Beach wants to provide the best future for its residents and to do so, we must remain competitive. The International Downtown Association (IDA) conducted an analysis of 33 downtowns across the country. The subtitle of the report states: A STRONG DOWNTOWN IS CRITICAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL CITY AND REGION. The findings reveal that each downtown functions as a leading economic driver in each city and region. While small in physical size, downtowns are immensely valuable, diverse, efficient, inclusive, and resilient on multiple levels.

    How does a strong downtown help a city?

    Economy: On average, downtowns represent approximately 3% of all citywide land (Pompano Beach’s New Downtown is anticipated to be approximately 2.5% of citywide land) but they deliver an average of 17% of the citywide property tax revenue.

    Inclusion: The downtowns exhibited marked demographic diversity with residents from a wide range of backgrounds. On average, downtown residents are 46% non-white, 18% foreign born, and 48% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

    Vibrancy: Downtowns support a vibrant variety of retail, infrastructure, and institutional uses which offer mutually reinforcing benefits to the region. Downtowns are also regional shopping, nightlife, and entertainment centers.

    Identity: Downtowns have intrinsic cultural significance, defining the region’s brand by offering historical assets, culture, recreation, entertainment, and participation in civic activities. A blend of old and new, downtowns provide a high quality of life that attracts employers, investment, visitors, and residents.

    Resilience: The mixed-use nature of a downtown allows for residential uses alongside commercial, connected by a variety of mobility options, allowing for a stronger and more adaptable community.

    What have we have accomplished so far?

    The Downtown’s Innovation District will include the highest density of new mixed-use development. It will be developed over the next decade and beyond, however, the Civic Commons and the Old Town Districts are well underway with exciting projects in the works and coming soon. These areas of the New Downtown are already adding value to quality of life and place, increasing job opportunities, and supporting the City’s tax base.

    If you have attended performances at the Cultural Center, enjoyed the Green Market Pompano Beach on the Arts Plaza, participated in workshops and events at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA) and been one of the thousands who explored Old Town Untapped, then YOU have been a key part of the rebirth of our City’s Downtown!

    Old Town is Pompano Beach Downtown’s arts and entertainment district. It is the historic area that was once the City’s epicenter of commerce – the original downtown! It is being revitalized through numerous City and CRA projects and programs and is quickly becoming a vibrant district for dining and entertainment in Pompano Beach.

    Façade improvements have beautified many of the buildings and new tenants are choosing this area including Odd Breed Wild Ales, Papamigos, South Bar & Kitchen, Soulful Steep and more.

    The City and CRA’s investment in BaCA, the installation of the central urban plaza with a “Fire Fountain,” and the current development of European-style piazza surrounded by restaurants and retail know as The Backyard, has spurred tremendous interest in this area, leading to investments from business leaders who believe in the future of Pompano Beach. The construction of Old Town Square, the 281-unit mixed-use residential building that broke ground in 2021 is an example of the confidence investors now have in our City.

    All of the incremental development, redevelopment, public space improvements and new business openings, are evidence of the vibrant future and value of our City’s New Downtown, where you’ll experience a cool vibe and feel a warm welcome!

    Safety Information

    The section of Atlantic Boulevard between NW 6th Avenue and NE 7th Avenue had approximately 122 accidents in 2021. Using FDOT accident and analysis procedures, this section of Atlantic Boulevard is considered a high crash location compared to other similar roadways in South Florida. Atlantic Boulevard has twice the number of accidents it should have. Therefore, there is currently a safety problem on this roadway. The proposed improvements of Atlantic Boulevard will improve safety along this high-accident roadway.

    - Joaquin E. Vargas, P.E.