Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said a bridge would “crush” redevelopment of the Sistrunk community and is not desired by residents.
If approved, a proposed $450 million bridge would cut through a historic Black community in Florida and possibly undermine its redevelopment. The two-mile long bridge is one of several plans under consideration by the Florida Department of Transportation. However, the potential for harm to the historic Sistrunk community has residents worried.
According to the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency, Sistrunk is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest Black community, one comprised of working families, mom-and-pop small businesses, historic churches and landmarks. The neighborhood is in the midst of ongoing redevelopment.