Town Hall Meeting  

Fort Lauderdale recently received national recognition for our leadership in making streets safer and more accessible for everyone who uses them.  The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of the national non-profit Smart Growth America, ranked more than 80 Complete Streets policies that were adopted nationwide in 2013.  Fort Lauderdale's policy, which was developed in collaboration with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, ranked #3 in the country and #1 in Florida.

The City is working to transform the future of transportation in our community.  Through our citywide Vision, Strategic Plan, and Commission Annual Action Plan we are moving forward with initiatives designed to build connectivity, identify mobility and sustainability solutions, and ultimately, develop a safe multimodal transportation network for our neighbors and visitors. 

Our goal is to become a fully connected city of tomorrow - a city that is anchored by mobility and walkability, a city that is pedestrian-friendly, and a city that depends less on vehicles and relies more on alternative modes of transportation.  

Through our Citywide Vision and Strategic Plan, Fort Lauderdale is building a strong, resilient and sustainable community. 

Today, our vision is taking shape at Mills Pond Park, home to the City's first wind turbines and electric vehicle charging stations! 

Located at 2201 NW 9th Avenue, this exciting green initiative will reduce our reliance on FPL for electricity, save energy, conserve natural resources, and protect and preserve our environment.  Plus, by promoting the use of electric vehicles, we are working to reduce our community's carbon footprint. 

The $221,000 project is being funded by stimulus money that is part of a $2 million energy efficiency and conservation block grant the City received from the federal government.  Click here for more information on the turbines.

The City of Fort Lauderdale has partnered with neighboring communities to provide convenient, new options for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste and electronics (proof of residency required with driver's license or utility bill).

Cooperative agreements with other cities provide our residents with free access to dispose of hazardous waste and electronics in partnering cities.

The drop-off events are critical to protecting the environment by reducing the volume of waste in landfills and preventing the contamination of ground water.  Fort Lauderdale residents are invited to participate in ANY of the drop-off events.  The next event will take place on April 26, click here for more information.  

The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department will provide valuable free income tax preparation to help hard-working families in our community.  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides FREE tax preparation services for qualified individuals with an income of less than $52,000. Services are offered at Carter Park, located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard.  Hours are Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  No appointment is necessary.  For more information, please click here or contact (954) 828-5411.

Attention Multi-Family Properties:

This is the final month to submit your rebate applications for recycling.  Visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/getinthegreen today for details.  Be sure to also check out our helpful online tools and request a free set of interior trash-recycling containers!

Fort Lauderdale proudly displays original artwork from local artists each month on the first floor of City Hall.  For the month of March 2014, Fort Lauderdale is proud to welcome Leigh E. McDonald.  Leigh finds inspiration in the colors and textures of nature.  Her work combines elements of printmaking, painting, and fiber techniques such as stitching, weaving, crocheting, knitting, beading and embroidery to create each piece.  Her art quilts have been exhibited in galleries and museums in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, California and Michigan.  Click here to read Leigh's full biography and be sure to stop by City Hall to see her art on display through the end of the month.  

Save the date for the 2014 Hurricane Expo, which will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at War Memorial Auditorium, which is located in Holiday Park at 800 NE 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

Learn how to pack a disaster kit, track storms and prepare an emergency plan.  Click here for more information on the upcoming expo.

On Friday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m., the South Florida Ukulele Fest 2014 kicks off with a FREE ukulele jam and concert at ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale at Holiday Park.