Broadwalk Makeover Ahead of Schedule

The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk renovation has reached the halfway point and is ahead of schedule. The multimillion-dollar makeover, part of an ongoing redevelopment effort taking place in the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agencies’ Beach District, is completed along a 24-block area, from New Mexico Street to Indiana Street.

The success of the project to date can be attributed to "the efficiency of the staff and the accuracy of the plans," according to Marc Kleisley, project manager for the contractor, Burkhardt Construction. He praised the commitment of those involved with the project, "from the City all the way through the ranks to the laborers."

Components of the project’s second phase, which started Nov. 1, 2005, include customized pavers in the pedestrian area, a crushed-shell jogging path, tabby concrete bike path, historical-themed lighting fixtures and an 18-inch-high decorative wall separating the Broadwalk from the sand.

Phase III started in June and consists of water and sewer line replacement along Surf Road. Kleisley said it’s a three-year project, "but we put two crews on it to speed things up."

Beginning Nov. 1, workers will start on a second 24-block area of the Broadwalk, from Indiana Street south to Georgia Street. "It all starts over again, the whole process," Kleisley said.

The Broadwalk makeover is scheduled for completion in June 2007. "We’re getting there," he said.

During construction, public access to the beach will remain open at every street end, with periodic closures.

Other projects in the Hollywood Beach Redevelopment Plan are a comprehensive streetscape design and the underground conversion of utility lines from State Road A1A to the Broadwalk, the complete redesign of Charnow Park, and construction of a recreational activity center and parking garage overlooking the historic Garfield Street paddleball courts.

Plans for street-end improvements along the Broadwalk currently are in the design stage. Construction on a six-block pilot program, between Grant and Cleveland streets, will start in about six months, said Moe Anuar, senior project manager for Hollywood’s Department of Design & Construction Management. Proposed improvements include decorative pavers on streets and sidewalks, and the creation of gateways, landscaped plazas and vista points incorporating water features, sculptures and/or central focal points.

Anuar said work on the streetscape project will go "hand-in-hand" with the underground conversion of FPL, BellSouth and Comcast utility lines along a 52-block area, set to begin within the next six months.

Construction on the Garfield Street Parking and Community Center, a 13-month project, will begin at the end of this year. The five-story, 400-space parking facility will feature a second-story observation deck and a small rooftop viewing area for sunset-watching. The adjacent two-story community center will have a paddleball pro shop; a large kitchen; an 1,800-square-foot space for holding meetings, weddings and other events; and a balcony offering a beautiful ocean view.

The Charnow Park renovation will commence a few months after the Garfield Street facilities, with the two projects finishing at the same time. New features will include three picnic pavilions, one large group facility and an entertainment pavilion with a stage, as well as a large open entertainment plaza featuring colorful pavers, tiered seating and an interactive water feature. The park also will have two playgrounds for tots and older children. A palm tree-lined walkway will lead from the beach through the park and to the Garfield Street complex.