Summary

In tandem with the CRA Plan, the City is taking the next steps in its downtown development which began in 2005 when the City Commission created the Community Redevelopment Agency. In accordance with the 2017-2022 CRA Strategic Action Plan, in September 2020, the City awarded contract approval to Zyscovich Architects for the design and development of a recommended plan for the Downtown properties. The City held a virtual Community Meeting on March 31, 2021, to gain community input on the redevelopment of the City-owned properties in the Downtown.

On August 2, 2021, the City of Oakland Park released an RFQ seeking qualified developers to transform the City-owned property in Downtown Oakland Park as part of a two-phase approach. Phase One RFQ submissions were due on September 14, 2021, and twelve (12) responses were received. On November 3, 2021, the City Commission approved the RFQ submissions selected by the Selection Committee. These five qualified firms were invited to submit a detailed development proposal. Three proposals were submitted and presented to the Evaluation Committee on February 10, 2022 with an oral presentation on February 17, 2022.  The Evaluation Committee completed its review and ranked a proposal from Kaufman Lynn Falcone Group highest among the three (3) responses. Ranked second was Terra, Comras Group, and Zyscovich, with Merrimac Ventures ranked third. On March 2, 2022, the Commission approved the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation to award the Downtown Properties RFP to the highest ranked proposer, the Kaufman Lynn Falcone Group. On July 20, 2022, the Commission approved the purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the Downtown Properties by Horizon on first reading. On August 3, 2022, the City Commission approved on second reading the purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the Downtown Properties by Horizon and the development agreement for the Downtown Properties located on the east side of main street between NE 36th Street and Park Lane East with Horizon.

Through this redevelopment project, the City will develop a mixed-use hub that includes high-quality residential, innovative commercial, a commuter train stop, living streets, urban green-space, and public parking. Adjacent to the existing Development opportunity, Oakland Park has been recommended by the FDOT technical Analysis team as the next commuter rail stop north of Fort Lauderdale.

Summary

Voters approved a bond measure that will deliver major improvements to the City of Oakland Park. The $40 million general obligation bond must be spent in Oakland Park to benefit the community and fund improvements for critical public facilities. On July 22, 2020, city staff unveiled the designs for four new buildings.

For more information:
Building Our 2^nd Century

Summary

Oakland Park’s Downtown Development District (OP3D), is a proposed rezoning plan that will expand the downtown to create new and exciting areas to explore and invest. The OP3D Land Development Code Text Amendment and Rezoning Ordinances were approved during the June 15, 2022, City Commission Meeting.  This will enable expansion of the Downtown boundaries to approximately 235 acres from 148 acres.  Below are the current descriptions for each proposed sub-area:

Mixed-Use Downtown – West/East: The Mixed-Use Downtown Core East and West District Sub-areas are designated as the epicenter of the Oakland Park Downtown District. It is intended to be the image of Oakland Park and its main destination with high quality building design and a mix of uses to appeal both locals and visitors.

The east consists of mixed-uses building with uses including residential, office, galleries, and neighborhood retail. The west consists of primary high-density residential district with commercial uses and wide tree-lined sidewalks along N. Dixie Highway.

Intown Neighborhoods – The Intown Neighborhoods Sub-areas shall have residential focus wit some neighborhood serving businesses. Low intensity offices and commercial uses with residential will also be encouraged.

Warehouse Flex: The Warehouse Flex District Sub-area is envisioned as an artistic enclave with workspaces and studios in both new structures and converted storage and warehouses. The uses shall predominately consist of light industrial uses, commercial uses and related services, such as arts, research and development, office, and retail accessory.

Middle River District – The Middle River District Sub-area is envisioned as a mixed-use neighborhood to include commercial, retail and residential uses oriented towards Middle River with buildings front bike/pedestrian trails for public access and connecting the area to the downtown.

Summary

The Sky Building is an exciting public-private partnership, between the City and NR Investments. The Sky Building is an innovative mixed-use, public/private partnership between the City of Oakland Park and developer NR Investments and represents $48 million in private investment to the City.

Designed by Zyscovich Architects, the project encompasses two buildings connected by a skybridge, which will include 136 residential units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.  One hundred and nineteen units are residential and 17 are “live/work” spaces. There will be 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and more than 300 total parking spaces. Sky Building is a catalytic development that will revitalize the downtown physically and financially.

Summary

BLYS (formally known the RAM Development Company Project) continues their ongoing construction for a transformative development project located on the former Kmart Shopping Center property which sat on the southeast corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and NE 6^th Avenue.

The project recently celebrated the Sprouts Farmer’s Market grand opening on January 14th. The commercial portion of the project is complete, but residential continues to move forward with construction.

The development will include 280 garden style apartments, 12 town homes, a Sprouts Farmer’s Market, and  7,500 square feet of commercial space. In keeping with the City’s commitment to quality design and activated public spaces, this amenity rich development will also include a publicly accessible Riverfront Promenade and walking trail that will provide access from Oakland Park Boulevard south to the Promenade.

Summary

A study is underway to explore commuter rail service on the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway, from Aventura in Miami-Dade County to Deerfield Beach in Broward County.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) technical team has analyzed potential commuter rail stop locations along the FEC corridor and recommends a station in downtown Oakland Park, between 36th – 38th Streets, on NE 12th Avenue (Main Street). Read the BCR Preliminary Station Report Screening Summary.

Oakland Park has pursued the goal of a rail platform in its downtown for more than a decade. A potential platform along Dixie Highway could support development and spur economic growth throughout the area. A rail stop could also see downtown properties appreciate approximately 20 to 30 percent within three to five years. The City Commission passed a resolution of support for a train stop in 2010 and 2019. In a recent citywide survey, 77% of residents support the idea of a stop in Oakland Park.

Click here to sign a letter of support for the commuter rail project.

For more information on the commuter line or to register for the upcoming meetings visit www.browardcommuterrailstudy.com.