Message from Executive Director Greg Stuart | |
 |  | Professional transportation planners take the best solutions from around the world and apply them to their jobs. Our schooling trains us to research and experience other places dynamically. Inherently, this trait can never be turned off. Recently, I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Spain to celebrate a milestone. The goal was to not take work with me, but as a career planner that was not going to happen. I’d like to share my observations and which aspects excite me to bring home. In the 15 years since my last trip to Spain, the transportation infrastructure has significantly changed. It has been reshaped into user-friendly multimodal spaces: from bike lanes being retroactively fitted into cities that are hundreds of years old to dedicated lanes for buses, taxis, and rideshare options. Redoing these old-world streets must have been a massive undertaking to keep up with the continuous progression of transportation modes. We often think of European roads as being narrow, but that is not always the case even in older cities. Some are quite wide with up to eight lanes plus turning lanes to service the large volume of cars. Yet, the difference is they are designed for pedestrians to coexist with the capacity of the street, including bike lanes and buffers.
Outside of transportation, I found myself fascinated with the fabric and landscape of the cities and the public investment in these spaces. Cultural facilities, bridges, public plazas, and the very landscape are all part of their story. As these cities are older and historic, spaces have been re-envisioned to better maximize space. I was amazed at the public plazas being expanded into multi-purpose spaces with parking garages built below or adjacent to them, while still retaining the classic use as places for people to congregate. Utilizing our public spaces to maximize usage builds better communities. Spain is embracing a coexistence of multimodal transportation to thrive within their communities. This has me thinking about our approach. We have long thought about reducing the volume of cars on the road in Broward County, but we know that is a big ask of our residents. We have to ask ourselves how do we reclaim space without sacrificing cars. I believe we can create a safe co-existence with all modes of transportation as viable options in a way that works best for Broward County. While we may have differences, my colleagues in Spain reminded me all projects are controversial and that they face similar issues and challenges. Every project is a learning experience with negative and positive feedback. They must address public comments, knowing they will not make everyone happy. Ultimately, we come together in one very important aspect: our want to leave our communities better than we found them.
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Broward County Gets Green Light on Quiet Zones | |
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approved the “Broward County Quiet Zone Plan,” allowing the quiet zone on the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to continue to be active. While the Broward MPO must be vigilant and complete the safety improvements, we committed to in the FRA grant award, Broward County will continue to have the longest quiet zone in the United States. Throughout 2022, the FRA stated that our quiet zone was in jeopardy of being removed due to the number of crashes along the rail corridor unless we could show evidence of our collective investments in safety. The Broward MPO responded with a report explaining our capital invests, law enforcement initiatives, and “Don’t Risk It” educational outreach campaign. The approval of our quiet zones is a shining example of how our region can work together to accomplish great things. | |
Broward MPO Shines Spotlight on the Restrepo Brothers in Honor of National Twin Day | |
It’s National Twin Day and in celebration, we're spotlighting the dynamic twin duo of Benjamin and Christopher Restrepo. They are not only twins, but exceptional professionals in the fields of transportation and urban planning. Benjamin Restrepo is an accomplished Traffic Engineer and Senior Project Manager in the City of Fort Lauderdale Development Services Department. His role is pivotal in managing and providing high-level technical analysis to create well-connected, accessible, and safe roadways. His brother, Christopher Restrepo, works for the Broward MPO as a Principal Planner. He plays a critical role in the agency’s Route To 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). His visionary leadership shapes transportation policies, investment decisions, and long-range planning for the benefit of our community. Though the Restrepo brothers serve different agencies, their bond as twins translates professionally, leading them to collaborate on projects. Currently, they are at the forefront of the SW/SE 17th Street Mobility Hub Project. This joint effort has Christopher at the helm as the Project Manager, while Benjamin contributes his technical acumen by providing in-depth traffic analysis support. On this special day, we applaud the synergy between these incredible twins. Benjamin and Christopher are a shining example of sibling camaraderie and professional collaboration. Their work proves that together, they are not only shaping Fort Lauderdale's transportation system but also setting new benchmarks in urban planning and development and enriching our community through their expertise. They are truly special, unique, and bring double the joy, talent, and creativity to communities throughout Broward County. Happy National Twin Day! | |
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Honoring Rufus James:
A Champion in the Aviation Industry
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 | For today’s State of the Region Award Honoree Spotlight, we’re highlighting Rufus James, the Airport Manager for the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, as a State of the Region Award honoree. An influential leader and tireless advocate in the aviation industry, Mr. James is slated to receive the prestigious Champion Award, honoring his many contributions and impactful leadership. Embarking on his journey at the airport back in 1999, Mr. James began as an Airport Operations Aide. Over the years, his resilience and dedication have driven him to scale new heights in his career. He assumed the role of Airport Manager in 2015 and since then, Mr. James has navigated and overseen an expansive operation. Mr. James holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and a bachelor's in aviation management from the University of New Haven. He is actively involved himself in several boards including the Florida Airport Council Board of Directors, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Board of Directors, and is the Chair of the Alliance’s Aviation Sub-Committee. Mr. James is an ardent mentor for the up-and-coming professionals in the aviation industry. A familiar face at career day events, he also introduced the Avionics Technician Training Program in 2019, a critical step towards fostering local talent. Mr. James has set the bar sky-high for exemplary leadership and selfless contribution to the aviation industry and the community. The Champion Award not only honors his past efforts but is a testament to his continuing commitment and zeal towards aviation and the larger community. His consistent and purpose-driven journey to uplift and transform Fort Lauderdale's Executive Airport continues to inspire future champions in the industry. On behalf of the Broward MPO, we offer him our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for his unmatched dedication and service! Learn more about the 2024 State of the Region Awards here. | Celebrate Baby’s First New Year at MODS | Babies are born scientists, constantly discovering the world around them. The Baby’s First New Year event at the Museum of Discovery and Science on December 31 will immerse early learners and their caregivers in playful learning and exploration. Get ready for themed stories, experiments and hands-on STEM activities that will create cherished memories. Click here to learn more! | Experience a Winter Wonderland at Las Olas Oceanside Park | Fort Lauderdale Beach just got cooler with the opening of The RINK, a 4,000-square-foot eco-friendly and technological marvel at Las Olas Oceanside Park. Skaters can enjoy the thrill of ice skating under blue skies and palm trees on a smooth surface made of self-moisturizing, seamless tongue-and-groove panels. This wintertime experience is perfect for all ages, whether you're a novice or a pro. Click here to learn more. | Experience the Holidays at the Plantation Historical Museum | The Plantation Historical Museum is hosting a free Winter Wonderland exhibit, showcasing an array of beautifully decorated trees along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa displays. Visitors can revel in the vibrant holiday spirit within the comforts of an indoor exhibition featuring a quaint train village and a bustling gift shop. Adding more holiday cheer, the museum occasionally stages other festive events including Santa Claus appearances and live entertainment. In 2023, the Winter Wonderland exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, until December 30. There are some holiday exceptions, please check the schedule. Admission to this winter festive extravaganza is free. However, the museum accepts donations. Click here to learn more. | | | | |
