Broward Beaches Undergoing Overhaul
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Construction crews are staying busy on Broward Beaches as many are getting a facelift.
"We're redoing this whole part of the beach phase by phase," points out AJ Yaari.
Yaari owns businesses on a big stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach. He's in the middle of a makeover. One project is turning an old bar into an upscale Asian fusion restaurant. He's sprucing up his other stores and restaurants.
"We have to grow with the times," Yaari said. "We want to turn Fort Lauderdale into a world class destination. In order to become a world class destination, it needs a facelift. It has to become more upscale."
Many visitors and locals said they want the same thing.
"Probably a little more upmarket restaurants and bars," suggested Andy Nolan who's visiting from Australia. "A bit more modern, more contemporary."
The parking lot at A-1-A and Las Olas Blvd. is actually a corner stone of the city's 100 million dollar redevelopment plan. Now it's a drab parking, lot but eventually it will be an entertainment and parking area.
And just down the street the Swimming Hall of Fame and aquatic center is getting a 24 million dollar make over. And there are plans to change the old Bahia Mar into a modern Waldorf Astoria.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler hopes the changes attract visitors and locals.
"We just gotta keep it fresh, keep it exiciting, we gotta keep it new," said Mayor Seiler. 'That's pretty much the reason we're going forward with this redevelopment project."
Down the road in Hollywood, the Margaritaville project is planned to liven up Hollywood Beach. And in Pompano, the entire beachfront is getting a new look.
If you want to get a first hand look at beach redevelopment plans in Fort Lauderdale, they are on display tonight between 6 and 8pm at the Swimming Hall of Fame.
