Citizens For Transparency on the Holiday Park YMCA
Welcome to the Holiday Park YMCA citizens information page.
Please read and follow here for more updates.
YMCA Plan is Good for Developers and Bad for Citizens
History of Holiday Park Land Lease
2016 - Fort Lauderdale signs lease with YMCA for land at entrance of Holiday Park for $1/year.
2024 - YMCA subleases this land to Broward Health for 30 years, total value $27M (average value $900K/year).
Why is the city of Fort Lauderdale forfeiting this revenue to a private entity?
Change in Scope & Intended Use
Sublease of parcel to Broward Health adds new intended use.
Facility size increased from 30,000 to 60,000 square feet.
Addition of multi-level parking structure.
Revision of Dottie Mancini Park lease terms contingent upon city approval of plans for Holiday Park Broward Health facility.
Financial Mismanagement & Developer Favoritism
City loses revenue opportunity of $700K/year in allowing YMCA to sublease to Broward Health (increases to $900K).
City to fund $3M cost of YMCA swimming pool.
Absence of Public Input and Disclosure
No public hearings held.
No advance notice prior to May 2024 Fort Lauderdale Commissioners meeting.
No mention of the true costs and developer beneficial agreements.
No disclosure of financial terms with developers.
Preference given to developers over citizens.
Infrastructure Needs Delayed
Stormwater projects not complete.
Parks bond projects delayed and escalating costs.
Lack of congruous sidewalk coverage.
Risks
Additional vehicular traffic in/out of Holiday Park.
Ingress of vulnerable homeless population & drug activity at city's "flagship" park.
No traffic study performed.
Increased development footprint in a high risk flood plain area.
Increased risk of children's exposure to drug use and high risk homeless population.
What Can I do?
Please write the Mayor, your local Commissioner, and neighborhood association (see sample form download below):
pbeasleypittman@fortlauderdale.gov