For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Judy Erickson
(954) 924-2980, (954) 214-2456

The makeover of the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has had to contend with Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, but the multimillion-dollar project remains on track, part of an ongoing redevelopment effort in the Beach District that will include the development of prime oceanfront and Intracoastal property.

“The Broadwalk project’s moving forward,” said Mark Kleisly, operations manager of Burkhardt Construction, who gave a presentation on Phase 2 of the Broadwalk makeover at a meeting of the Hollywood Beach Business Association Nov. 10 at the Hollywood Beach Marriott. Vice Mayor Cathleen Anderson, who represents the Beach District, also participated in the presentation.

Gil Martinez, Executive Director of the Hollywood Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, said the transformation of Hollywood Beach as evidenced by the Broadwalk makeover will be further enhanced by upcoming major development projects – most importantly, the redevelopment of the 6-acre Johnson Street site.

Phase 2 of the Broadwalk project began Nov. 1 with the start of construction of an 18-inch-high decorative wall separating the Broadwalk from the sand. When turtle-hatching season begins March 1, “We’ll switch gears and continue with the physical improvements to the Broadwalk itself,” Kleisly said.

These project components include the addition of a tabby concrete bike path, crushed-shell jogging path and customized pavers in the pedestrian area.

The presentation by Burkhardt Construction was well attended by Hollywood Beach business owners, who have been excitedly awaiting the Broadwalk makeover.

Debra Case, president of the Hollywood Beach Business Association, said beach business owners’ concerns about the possible interruption of public access to the Broadwalk, beach and local businesses during construction were allayed at the meeting.

“We’re working really closely with the Beach CRA and Burkhardt Construction,” Case said. “They’re being very sensitive to the businesses’ needs. They’re going to be very interactive with us.”

Case said the improvements make this an exciting time for Hollywood Beach. “This is starting to be real,” she said.

Improvements to the 30-foot-wide, 2.5-mile Broadwalk also include historical-themed lighting fixtures, palm tree clusters and plazas at every street end. Other projects in the Hollywood Beach Redevelopment Plan are construction of a recreational activity center and parking garage overlooking the historic Garfield Street paddleball courts, the redesign of Charnow Park, and the undergrounding of all utility lines.

In addition, the Beach CRA and the City of Hollywood currently are working with developer Ocean Properties on the upcoming development of the Johnson Street property, 6 acres on the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, into an entertainment, conference, retail, restaurant and hotel complex. Those familiar with the project have praised the vision of the Hollywood City Commission in selecting Ocean Properties Ltd., Hotels and Resorts, a developer that has managed more than 100 hotels and is an expert in the restoration of historic properties.

“They have a strong reputation for working very well with the community,” Martinez said. “The Beach CRA is really looking forward to the upcoming groundbreaking for the exciting, four-star Johnson Street complex.”

For more information on beach improvements, call the Hollywood Beach CRA at (954) 924-2980 or visit www.HollywoodBeachCRA.org.