Himmarshee SED decertification

DDA representative urged immediate decertification, saying the district has operated illegally for years and promises to self-correct failed.

Warned the district's violence damages tourism and the city's image near the museum and performing arts center.

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society board member cited steep declines in weddings, field trips and membership, urging decertification.

DDA board member and developer said the painful step of decertification can make the area a jewel alongside Brightline and the museums.

Broward Center president/CEO asked the commission to decertify and reimagine the district.

Bar operator (Fat Cats) warned decertification will hurt good actors, could expand 18-and-up bars, and asked for a path to extended-hours permits.

Performing Arts Center board member said guns, drugs and underage teenagers make the area wrong and businesses should change their model.

Riverwalk Center representative urged decertification be paired with the extended-hours permit path so compliant businesses aren't punished.

DDA general counsel said the district was meant for a common-control mixed-use project, not a bar district, and should be decertified tonight.

Said the issue is public safety and underage drinking; compared it to the spring break crackdown the city survived and thrived after.

Restaurant investor said acquaintances won't come downtown after 9 p.m.; asked the commission to decertify and make the area safe.

PACA chairman said the district was meant to be restaurant-based, has become a red-light district, and urged decertifying tomorrow without 180 days.

Museum of Discovery and Science CEO cited 526,000 visitors and $37 million economic impact, saying safety is fundamental and urging decertification.

Attorney for Dicey Riley's opposed both ordinances, saying decertification and the last-call rules must be handled together with a transition for the original bars.

Former city manager said, like ending spring break 40 years ago, the commission must rip the band-aid off and decertify tonight.

Read Tim Petrillo's statement supporting decertification, restoring citywide standards, rejecting the extended-hours ordinance and keeping the public safety task force.

Argued the district no longer meets its ordinance purposes and has been out of compliance for six years; urged striking the 180-day extension.

Representing History Fort Lauderdale's board, stated support for decertification.

Attorney for Sway and Fat Cats said crime is down, blamed parking lots and outside actors, and asked the commission to give the new enforcement surge time.

DDA chair and mother of a teenager described the district as an attractive nuisance luring minors and asked for immediate decertification.

Poor House owner said pop-up bars in a parking lot cause outside drinking, and if hours revert, the cultural institutions should pay for police detail.

Defended bar owners, saying ATF raids found no violations inside the bars and the problem is outside containers, not the businesses.

Long-time Revolution Live operator said he's abided by the law for 25 years, acknowledged bad actors, and urged targeting them rather than the whole district.

Munchies operator angrily denied the 60 underage-drinking removals, said police won't enforce against loiterers, and blamed city enforcement failures.

Council of Civic Associations president urged the commission to stop delaying, citing repeated broken promises and taxpayer costs of police and fire overtime.

Owner speaking for Bandaleros Tacos and LT's Cafe asked how earlier hours would stop underage drinking and warned late-night revenue keeps his restaurants alive.