DATE: June 10, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Ric Barrick, Assistant Director
Office of Public Communications
PHONE: 954-357-8541
EMAIL: rbarrick@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - At a public meeting today, a panel of nationally renowned land use, real estate development, design and urban planning professionals from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) released their recommendations for the potential development of parcels of land on the County owned BB&T Center property. ULI is a nonprofit multi-disciplinary research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and the creation of thriving communities.
The advisory panel has been in the County for the past week to engage community leaders and discover the best uses for available parcels of land on the BB&T Center campus. Representatives from Broward County, the cities of Sunrise and Plantation, the Florida Panthers and BB&T Center management, among other community stakeholders, participated in interviews and panel discussions.
Headline options recommended by ULI include a phased development of residential units, a boutique and executive hotel, and a subsequent 1,250,000 square feet of office space, along with a large family-oriented resort. The panel also included a potential resort with gaming to round out the development by the year 2025. Key to the success of this new community, dubbed Downtown West Broward, would be the establishment of a vibrant civic plaza that would host local entertainment and shopping.
"I appreciate the Urban Land Institute putting their time and efforts into offering a fresh approach to our public space where our professional sports arena is located. Their ideas to improve and redevelop the 140 acres of county owned land holds endless choices for entertainment, economic development as well as opportunities to relocate your business to Broward County," said Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca.
The panel emphasized improved mobility and walkability with walking paths and wider access to the Sawgrass Mills Mall and a solid connection to the planned Metropica development. Additionally, a strong focus on environmental measures that best preserve water resources and limit the carbon footprint was emphasized in the recommendations.
The ULI panel called upon leaders from the public and private sectors, to manage the process and focus on site development, along with extensive public participation throughout the process.
"Our goal was to create a comprehensive development vision for transforming the site into a dynamic destination that is complementary to the existing sports and entertainment facility, surrounding neighborhoods, businesses, and developments that are both planned and underway. Development of the site should generate positive economic returns to the cities and the County," said Richard Gollis, ULI's Panel Chair.
A full report from the panel will be released by ULI in the next few months as County planners meet with stakeholders to best establish a development plan that benefits the residents of Sunrise and the economy of Broward County.
The public is encouraged to participate by taking a brief survey that will aid planners as the process moves forward.
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 38,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information, please visit uli.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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