FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — After years of planning, design, and community engagement, the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Huizenga Park Foundation announce the construction commencement of the Huizenga Park Reimagined project. Broward County-based MBR Construction, Inc. and KEITH, with construction, engineering, and inspection services, will deliver an improved Huizenga Park for the Fort Lauderdale community.
"We could not be more excited for renovations to begin on Huizenga Park. This project represents the DDA's longstanding commitment to make Downtown Fort Lauderdale the most desired, livable community in the region," said Jenni Morejon, President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale DDA. "MBR and KEITH's proven track record make them the perfect fit to carry out construction. Their dedication to improving public spaces in South Florida has not gone unnoticed, and they will do a phenomenal job transforming Huizenga Park."
Fort Lauderdale-based MBR Construction, a family-owned firm, has over three decades of experience transforming public spaces in South Florida. The DDA first contracted with MBR over 20 years ago to complete Downtown Fort Lauderdale's first major streetscape improvement project, transforming the SE/SW 2 Street stretch from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to the U.S. 1 Tunnel.
The DDA studied parks in cities across the United States to inform the design vision for the new Huizenga Park. Design firm Perkins&Will spearheaded the park's redesign and introduced a mix of uses to transform Huizenga Park into a highly active community gathering space. The mix of uses is modeled after successful designs seen in major urban centers across the country, including New York City’s Bryant Park, widely regarded as one of the most successful urban park transformations in the world.
Perkins&Will’s Miami studio focused on sustainability and resilience throughout the redesign, creating a park that balances leisure, activity, and community engagement. The new design will revitalize Huizenga Park with a series of outdoor rooms, setting it apart from traditional parks by offering spaces for dining, physical activity, events, meet-ups, and relaxation. Key design features include an updated Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain, an enhanced Riverwalk section, a lush shade canopy, a civic lawn, a dog run, and a waterfront restaurant.
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"Our mission is to create a space that enhances Huizenga Park’s offerings while still paying homage to its existing strengths and location along the New River. We aim to raise the bar for design excellence in public spaces," said James Phillips, Senior Landscape Architect at Perkins&Will. "We recognize the park as a focal point of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale experience, contributing to the tremendous walkability of the area, and we are honored and excited to rejuvenate it to better serve Fort Lauderdale."
Fort Lauderdale-based Sweetwaters, a full-service restaurant to be operated by the same team behind Miami’s Rusty Pelican, will serve as a hub for dining within the park. Designed by Stiles Architectural Group, an in-kind contribution, the park will also feature fully attended public restrooms and a Legacy Wall honoring Huizenga Park's biggest champions.
"We are incredibly honored to partner with the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority on the revitalization of Huizenga Park," said Michael Boss, President of MBR Construction. "As a family-owned business, we deeply connect to the Fort Lauderdale community. Huizenga Park is a beloved destination, and we're excited to transform it into an even more vibrant and welcoming space for the community to enjoy."
Construction is expected to take just over a year, with the park reopening by late 2025. During the construction period, a pedestrian pathway along the Riverwalk will remain accessible to the public.
