BROWARD COUNTY, FL - County Mayor Michael Udine hosted a bond-signing
ceremony on Friday, December 17, 2021, to finalize the funding needed to
complete the highly anticipated Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County
Convention Center expansion. The Tourist Development Tax Revenue Series 2021 Bonds are
being issued with an approximate par value of $487 million, providing the
remaining funds to complete the expansion of the Convention Center. Putting
these signatures to paper signifies the County is ready to accommodate all
future needs of the travel industry here in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
The first phase of the expansion debuted on October 27, 2021,
at the 62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The newly expanded 350,000
square-foot exhibit hall was used to host the indoor portion of the boat show
and was the first event in the center since construction began in December
2019.
"After years of planning and unavoidable delays from COVID-19,
we are excited to be on the path to completion," said County Administrator
Bertha Henry. "We expect the convention center to create more than 1,000 jobs
and boost the local economy by more than $100 million annually."
The remainder of the project is expected to be completed in
2025 with waterfront ballrooms, meeting rooms and kitchen facilities. It will
also include an expansive outdoor waterfront plaza and 800 upscale hotel rooms interconnected
with the convention center (to be financed separately).
"The convention center expansion continues Greater Fort Lauderdale's
transformation to an upscale, cosmopolitan, diverse tourism and meetings
destination," said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale.
"When the project is complete, we will be a top contender in the national
convention landscape."
"We'd like to thank the many government, industry and
community leaders who have worked diligently to make this project a reality,"
said Broward County Mayor Michael Udine. "The convention center symbolizes the
growth of Broward's infrastructure which will bring jobs to residents and
opportunities for visitors. Years of careful planning have brought us here, and
we are celebrating continued progress and success as we pursue the finish line."
The official closing will take place on Tuesday, December 21st.
To learn more about the expansion and the new hotel, visit check out the Visit
Lauderdale website.
December 17, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Greg Meyer, Assistant Director
Office of Public Communications
954-357-8541
gmeyer@broward.org