Progress in Pompano Project Called Out by Concerned Citizens, Again
By Kristen Hernandez
The traffic on Atlantic Blvd. is a nightmare, residents say. Frustrated residents spoke up during the January 24 Pompano Beach city commission meeting, opposing the city’s beautification project for the Atlantic Blvd. and Dixie Hwy intersection. It doesn’t matter that voters helped to pass the Progress in Pompano project in 2018 to create a walkable and bicycle-friendly downtown; traffic congestion is testing many residents’ patience.
“The whole Atlantic/Dixie process was flawed,” said commissioner Alison Fournier. “We may have asked the wrong questions of the engineers who tried to solve it. They were trying to solve where to add biking lanes on Atlantic when the question should have been, is this the right section of Atlantic Blvd for walking and biking lanes.”
Although voters overwhelmingly approved the city’s plan, most residents have not followed the project’s progression and weren’t aware of the changes, which include reducing the three east-west bound Atlantic Blvd. lanes and merging them into a two-lane thoroughfare. Pompano Beach Vice Mayor Andrea McGee attempted to clear up any “confusion and misinformation.”
“Yes, there was a new meeting where everyone was upset [over traffic congestion], so we passed a motion for Plan B. We spent months with engineers and contractors redesigning the entire plan. We went from an eight-lane reduction to a one-lane reduction,” said McGee.
In 2019, Atlantic Blvd traffic saw over 4,000 cars daily. The constant traffic back-up has increased wait times around the Dixie/I-95 area, causing much concern and intense frustration. Emotions ran high during the meeting, with dozens of residents yelling that they felt “lied to” and “duped.” One resident yelled out that this was “the worst gentrification project in America.”
First responder Chauntel Fitzgerald voiced concerns over emergency response times. “As a 19-year career firefighter and citizen of this awesome city, I worry for my neighbors over response time for police officers and first responders coming into my area to save my loved ones. I hope that was also a concern for you with shutting down this lane,” said Fitzgerald.
One resident yelled out to the commission panel that pictures of the redevelopment project “look very nice,” but mentioned the “killer train” and how it’s “not the place to stop traffic and take a walk.”
Former city commissioner Cyndy Floyd spoke directly to residents. “In helping to pass the unanimous decision of moving this project forward, I must ask the people of Pompano Beach to forgive me. If I’d known then what I know now, my vote would have been different.”
Fournier went on to request a special referendum, or request to let voters decide by petition to demand the reconsideration and repeal of any legislative action. However, that motion was denied 3-2 with commissioners Fournier and Beverly Perkins voting in favor.
The scene in the commission chamber echoed a similar meeting almost a decade ago when the city passed the Pompano Beach parking garage and beach revitalization plan. “Thank goodness the commission kept course,” said McGee. “Because people were just as angry then as they are now. And look how incredible Pompano Beach is.” The rebuilt Fisher Family Pier and Pompano Beach Fishing Village has become an essential beach destination for locals looking for a more relaxed alternative to Deerfield Beach or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
Vice Mayor McGee spoke to the Villij news about her vision for Pompano. “The project will realign Atlantic Blvd., creating a signature entrance to the heart of our city and set the foundation for our new downtown,” McGee said. “When I ran for office I wanted change, and this is what change looks like. We are listening to the people. We are asking people to listen to the facts. Once the project is complete, I’m certain residents will also see the value in what we’re doing,” she said.
The project has already begun and is expected to be implemented in segments. Segment one includes improvements on Dixie Hwy. from McNab Rd. to SW 3rd St. Segment two is expected to take around three months and will include improvements from SW 3rd St. to NE 10th St. on Dixie Hwy., and west of NW 6th Ave. to east of Cypress Road on Atlantic. The entire project is expected to wrap up in 2025.
Both sides of the Progress in Pompano Project agree on one thing: this project will determine the future of the city of Pompano Beach. To stay informed about project updates, check out the Progress in Pompano website https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/residents/atlantic-dixie-streetscape-improvements.
