[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6211672,"mediaKeyId","3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6","parentId",3691390,"title","Riverwalk north-side seawall replacement draws concerns from marine industry about floating-dock design and navigation","audioSeconds",602,"startMs",5516000,"endMs",6118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6&start=5516&end=6118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6/thumbnail_5516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211672/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Riverwalk-north-side-seawall-replacement-draws-concerns-from-marine-industry-about-floating-dock-design-and-navigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211672-582ac3df40ce6199bd9d6ae050a69243/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166646&Signature=IdD3BdksFrBIptSgw8KcCJ7FNQQwiJBTsGZirebqByCueGip953fnGO6r8HoxWu~4Aw8cDupXQO7tvUftSab1BtDE~9S~RxLPiUKhy1MiUY95Z9YWiviNldQM1rTM9V3i-g~Xg6Dz5IDxVZ1UOhP~o32OMPqOiolboyBvDe86tflNCBEjyQ8qzfmRpqsvA3V3DA9NhF7BYcz0AI4Gn4CRIV~y6nzmYg3mJIUGE7Yr3HQzAKgsGxCdo5qPGufn23xN3u6dT-D-V2MSqDfFs5T~Bq2JSF6lh~NPIzz~iVy7~sSyE0Ospn9~bi6upp9SjhyMpHmfQ~SIOzXUNe8f9wjEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Lauderdale, FL","date","2025-06-06T02:40:28Z","article","City engineers presented preliminary plans on June 5 to replace roughly 500 linear feet of seawall along the north side of Riverwalk and install a floating dock in the footprint of an existing concrete dock.

Staff described the work as demolition of the existing seawall and construction of a new concrete (C) wall built forward of the current wall, raised from the existing roughly 3-foot elevation up to a target of about 5 feet. As shown to the board, the design included two boxed access points and a floating dock that would extend roughly 13.5 feet from the new seawall.

Marine-industry attendees and the Downtown Development Authority urged staff to reconsider the dock location and design. Industry members said the proposed floating dock footprint sits near a narrow turning point in the river where 50- to 80-foot vessels frequently transit; they argued moving the dock a short distance would reduce navigation conflicts. Captains and marine operators also raised safety and usability concerns about the floating dock’s low freeboard: the presented section showed about 18 inches of freeboard, which industry representatives warned is low for mixed-use docking, loading and unloading of larger craft and could create fall or fendering problems.

Jenny Morahon, president of the Downtown Development Authority, told the board the DDA had coordinated with marine contractors during the Riverwalk design and that the recently completed adjacent Riverwalk stretch placed pilings and a new walkway without reported navigation impacts; she encouraged continued stakeholder coordination.

City staff said they are seeking grant funding for the Riverwalk seawall replacement and that the city intends to include a living-seawall component for the first ~120 feet on the east side, with the floating dock sited in the existing concrete footprint. Staff asked the advisory board for feedback on location and design to refine plans before formal design approvals and procurement.

Board members asked staff to return with clearer cross-sections, expected freeboard alternatives, and an overlay showing navigable clearances for vessels up to 60–80 feet, and recommended stronger enforcement language and operational plans if a floating dock is installed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marine Advisory Board Meeting on June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City engineers outlined a Riverwalk north-side seawall replacement that would raise roughly 500 linear feet of seawall to about 5 feet and add a floating dock in the existing dock footprint; marine operators warned the proposed dock location and an 18-inch freeboard could create navigation and safety problems.","taxTitle","Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida","taxId",4849,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211677,"Fort Lauderdale board endorses living-seawall pilot and proposed incentives for private owners",556,2296000,2852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6&start=2296&end=2852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6/thumbnail_2296000.jpg","/articles/6211677/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Fort-Lauderdale-board-endorses-living-seawall-pilot-and-proposed-incentives-for-private-owners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211677-29b5a04385a7065b846381dbb0cf4cc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166646&Signature=jPZ-6g9KRM1g7AhUNp0ZJlk06UeARo2L3bENcKwAq6jK7NJMpI2bFaQ8KZKOqENr-ynnrF5JjUc5~RUP5y0trguH9YZO9A0rSzv-gS4lYbCq3~e-AebAqH2lvxQY2GgBrJuj9PBIeOS~7gYpPBj25sMNANK1NXJ5GJzQEVTU6ORoJu7VzEteRNT5wD3S8BzqYeUWCoph3ne6pq41WgLi98l8FVvMuJYNY2EmIyfYTvf0fFiohMZPRYEcNgnOdfd8zXDopBuT5AUXBMjnpTAozmJUU1czF8T7xI~1j~cwY2XtKHdpXNgCu8Y9cHzHb~iY371o5EcCQL1mFW4yxlr2Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners and advisory board members on June 5 highlighted a living-seawall pilot at Church by the Sea and told staff they support policies to encourage similar installations across Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront.

Commissioner Ben Sorensen said the city is “full speed ahead” on oyster rope installations and living-seawall trials, noting recent planting and outreach work. He told the board he is drafting an ordinance to incentivize living seawalls—proposed incentives include cutting permitting fees for property owners who install living seawalls instead of traditional concrete caps, and using living seawalls for city-owned seawall projects where feasible.

Public comment and a short video shown at the meeting described a 3D-printed living seawall prototype created by a private company; board members and staff discussed the technology as a complement to other water-quality measures such as a pump-out vessel and expanded bacterial monitoring.

Staff and Commissioner Sorensen described recent community work: 50 mangroves planted at George English Park and a partnership with Miami Waterkeepers to expand water-quality monitoring from 11 sites to 22, including source tracing for bacterial contamination. Sorensen said the city is pursuing a state grant to fund a pump-out vessel to help reduce sewage discharges and create additional on-water outreach capacity.

Board members asked staff to prepare draft ordinance language that would reduce permit costs for living seawalls and to return with cost estimates and implementation steps for expanding living-seawall installations on city-owned property and as part of private projects.","Board members praised a Church by the Sea living-seawall pilot and asked staff to pursue an ordinance to incentivize living seawalls—reducing permitting fees and prioritizing city-owned installations—while staff seeks a state grant for a pump-out vessel to support water quality goals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211681,"City resilience officer tells advisory board Fort Lauderdale must build higher seawalls and improve stormwater systems",458,3619000,4077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6&start=3619&end=4077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6/thumbnail_3619000.jpg","/articles/6211681/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/City-resilience-officer-tells-advisory-board-Fort-Lauderdale-must-build-higher-seawalls-and-improve-stormwater-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211681-0ed11eb85ff627ab7aa9c15b4fead05a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166646&Signature=KukFbsDfzTaqFkAvlH4Y7kfa2q49VkiBlybOBF76yrPEKmLqn7cqR7k1P7hbfFAVAmfd-Slbb4eb-tMUxde5mA1mu31sOwBhLnC3kfBKZlC-PDD5mwk46eKnUb2CEBP23D2jRkzhI1pprJ0Fnd-97-oKuvLdlDqA485TKN3YhdCpLoh5TeFaM1~jsgKYp7Q05rc4AMY7vGWVyr9riAKShBOG1MICUwjLNFlJ4sKL19MYQyWRejWdlmrAKMSFF9bBhBUZ4s-GdM3GsD9h6oQ8E6lUb6F5RJX4BvWjnbUDdhdshvXUNHR2vdutElddH~hnBuyqNr1vpXphio-~AL785Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Nancy Gassman, Ph.D., deputy public works director and chief resilience officer for the City of Fort Lauderdale, told the Waterways and Beach Advisory Board on June 5 that sea-level rise is accelerating and that municipal planning must account for higher tides, failing seawalls and inland flooding.

Gassman opened her presentation by calling it “the where and when of sea level rise,” and reviewed regional projections from the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact. She said local observations and tide gauges show stronger upward trends in recent years and that sea level rise is expected to accelerate through mid-century.

The presentation explained technical design choices the city is using: Broward County’s template calls for new seawalls to be built at a minimum elevation of 5 feet, and the city follows that template for new or replacement seawalls. Gassman said a 50-year useful life is typical for seawalls; that factor informs elevation choices because higher mean sea levels and rising groundwater otherwise reduce long-term protection.

Gassman also described non-seawall measures the city is pursuing: tidal valves, pumping systems, and a prioritized road-elevation master plan. She summarized Fortify Lauderdale’s tranche-based stormwater effort, which aims to increase system capacity from a three-inch design storm to as much as seven to ten inches in future neighborhoods and to bundle projects into capital-improvement projects planned through the early 2030s.

She flagged bridges as infrastructure that will face additional lateral stresses as tides rise; the city has limited right-of-way to raise many fixed bridges substantially. Gassman showed vulnerability mapping for 2040 with high-tide overlays and identified downtown and Marina Mile as areas likely to experience more frequent high-tide flooding.

Board members asked about homeowner responsibilities and enforcement. Gassman said the city is drafting outreach tools and intends to hire a resilience coordinator to work directly with private property owners and businesses on practical adaptation steps.

The board requested the presentation slides to share with stakeholders and asked staff to return with implementation timelines and cost estimates.","Deputy Public Works Director Dr. Nancy Gassman told the board the city should follow Broward County guidance requiring new seawalls at a minimum elevation of 5 feet and accelerate stormwater projects under the Fortify Lauderdale program to address sea-level rise and king tides.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211686,"Fort Lauderdale advisory board says recent boat fires and rescues expose gaps in marine rescue resources",852,963000,1815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6&start=963&end=1815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6/thumbnail_963000.jpg","/articles/6211686/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Fort-Lauderdale-advisory-board-says-recent-boat-fires-and-rescues-expose-gaps-in-marine-rescue-resources","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211686-8eb3e9958e7b79578d5c27d1ed376a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166646&Signature=VSMX6GneGydjANhzaJDkvdYwVnlzolXl6PRonVxApSmIXW2D5i~hvHC8mT6YpnUzrFbwSe9ffBdPE6-oTkujCuhWcpVKaIlGYrN5R6xr8pIoDuF1uC6KQc0ocrQFNRavnWZUi3dfPn6eUdO4q5gRRfqCvMe41yHvbnuUALYeHsheeIkUO6bOkb4tIme-cwYxdrbY0SZunumFH2i901L~Z-evog~fCaKHDAL3vueijuhtV5kCJGaDOJohmAY3euqBcfeO4QzZJi8yHPSr0XPkJaUlmOHH4LuEfA98bJpVBOU0AMoZQGdCTqBlurYyD3FNOFSfrGxaZGuUJyUU0JETWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Lauderdale advisory board members and city public-safety officials on June 5 detailed several recent vessel emergencies, including a Memorial Day weekend boat fire that required multiple rescue units and resulted in at least one fatality.

The board heard that on Memorial Day a recreational vessel exploded and caught fire; fire and marine units transported 11 people and later determined one person died. Travis, a marine patrol responder, said crews “were able to get everybody off that boat safely” and that the vessel later had to be towed to the Fifteenth Street ramp.

The rescue accounts prompted a discussion about the city’s marine firefighting assets. Chief Eric Knowles said the city currently operates two fireboats, one of which is roughly 20 years old and accumulating about 5,000 engine hours; staff told the board that the older boat has service-life and reliability concerns. Knowles and others told the board that five crewed positions per boat would be the operational target for safe dive and shipboard firefighting operations; the department said two staffed boats leave gaps for dive- and rescue-capable staffing.

Board members and staff also described multiple other recent marine incidents: a 35–40-foot fishing boat that caught fire while the owner was repairing the fuel system; recovery of a stolen boat; and derelict-vessel enforcement that led to an arrest when an occupant was found to have an outstanding warrant. Those cases, board members said, illustrate both enforcement and response workload across waterways.

City staff and the board discussed short- and medium-term steps: pursuing grant funding to replace or refurbish engines on patrol and fire vessels; seeking a grant-supported pump-out vessel to provide more frequent contact with anchored vessels; and improving on-water communications between marine patrol, fire rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard. Staff noted Coast Guard response times can be lengthy because requests route through sector headquarters, so local capacity matters for immediate rescues.

The advisory board asked staff to continue pursuing grant opportunities for engines and a pump-out vessel, and to bring more detailed cost and timeline information back to the board for prioritization.","Officials described multiple recent vessel fires and rescues, including a Memorial Day incident with at least one fatality, and urged more fireboat capacity, pump-out outreach and better on-water communication as the city weighs funding and grant options.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211666,"Board leans toward enforcing state-backed 30-day anchoring limit; ALA option remains possible with county coordination",221,7555000,7776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6&start=7555&end=7776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3691390-44a4228c032cc82991a2040615f82fc6/thumbnail_7555000.jpg","/articles/6211666/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Board-leans-toward-enforcing-state-backed-30-day-anchoring-limit-ALA-option-remains-possible-with-county-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211666-4c5620b146cedb612d33f166d53dfa94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166646&Signature=Wp8~GlpcKvD2INGdwpXwhdhl4~QiPYYULmYWyiTW3793VUtftf611wIb4-WyXB1vGu2-Bz5~rIN-B18-Ip5gO8yNIGZhXjw5L8uU7TtZrXTWET8KlHGKS0mmlmgKo-VLvyQxkWpjtg0VnMLMzsCJdlOI2HL392~k2VayEhgZq95EP7yKUvd9Eol543kZzottjIFRN5uWEBL3mZM-f~tk3eWKVUjFDPQJwXVgARP0N3OpoTvA1bLV6knJn~GL-l3qHCsfg2JNNT2ESh-m6UwqUcbylppMfqMtqpDR4fdECAsj-q4jGE3ZiUTzA4thoLsAKuyB6v8nELW~FzlbSGPzUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The advisory board spent a substantial portion of its June 5 meeting discussing two regulatory approaches to long-term vessel anchoring: locally designated Anchorage Limitation Areas (ALA) and a recently passed state measure referenced in the meeting as House Bill 481.

Marco, the city’s waterway officer, described the differences. Under the ALA framework, an area may be designated where anchoring is limited to 45 consecutive days in a six-month period and the area must not exceed specified geographic limits; an ALA requires interlocal coordination with Broward County and marked buoys and signs. In contrast, House Bill 481 (as referenced in the meeting) restores authority to counties and municipalities to regulate anchoring and would permit a city ordinance that limits anchoring to no more than 30 days in a rolling six-month period; Marco said that approach would be citywide unless the city carves out a specific zone.

Board members asked about enforcement mechanics, exceptions for mechanical failure and events (for example, Winterfest or the boat parade), and impacts on boat owners who rely on long-term anchoring while awaiting repairs. Marco and staff said the city could bake exceptions into the ordinance—mechanical-failure or weather-related extensions, temporary event waivers, or harbor-master oversight—and that enforcement tools could include daily checks, a vessel-tracking spreadsheet and outreach by a pump-out vessel or harbor staff.

After public input and staff explanations, board members signaled support for an ordinance aligned with the state-backed 30-day rolling limit rather than pursuing an ALA in Lake Sylvia; several board members said yesterday’s neighborhood meeting showed a clear public preference for the HB 481-aligned approach. Staff said they will draft ordinance language consistent with the referenced state language and work through exceptions and enforcement procedures with legal staff and community stakeholders before presenting a draft for board and commission review.","Advisory board discussion contrasted Anchorage Limitation Areas (ALA) with new state authority (House Bill 481) that restores local time-based anchoring limits. The board indicated a preference for local ordinance language aligned with the state 30-day rolling limit but asked staff to draft exceptions and implementation details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Riverwalk north-side seawall replacement draws concerns from marine industry about floating-dock design and navigation

Fort Lauderdale board endorses living-seawall pilot and proposed incentives for private owners

City resilience officer tells advisory board Fort Lauderdale must build higher seawalls and improve stormwater systems

Fort Lauderdale advisory board says recent boat fires and rescues expose gaps in marine rescue resources

Board leans toward enforcing state-backed 30-day anchoring limit; ALA option remains possible with county coordination