The 34 yo Broward County Convention Center has expanded, adding 1.2 million square feet (111,000 m²) to its surface, for a budget of more than one billion dollars. This project is strategic for the county, which is counting on economic benefits, as the new expansion of the center will increase the exhibition halls’ capacity by 348,000 square feet (32,300 m²). It also includes five new reception rooms, including the Atlantic Ballroom of 65,000 square feet on the waterfront (6,040 m²), and luxurious, ultra-modern facilities.
Thanks to the new bypass inaugurated at the end of October, which drives over Port Everglades, direct access is now possible from US 1 to the Broward County Convention Center. In 2026, improved access to water taxis will be implemented, accompanied by the upcoming opening of a waterfront commercial promenade accessible to the public, designed like a park. An additional 525,000 square feet (48,800 m²) of new meeting spaces will also be added, including a landmark waterfront restaurant.
To facilitate accommodation for visitors and exhibitors, the opening of the neighboring Omni Fort Lauderdale hotel is planned soon, with its 29 floors and more than 800 rooms. According to Visit Lauderdale, the expansion of the Broward Center and the overall project will create 3,000 jobs for Broward County.
At the beginning of November, the Hollywood Art and Culture Center celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, as well as the opening of the new Hollywood Arts Hub extension. This new wing of the building was financed by the 2019 General Obligation Bond (public funds following a citizen vote). It includes a 110-seat auditorium and a Digital Media Lab.
In April 2025, the Broward County Commission voted in favor of the Broward County Rail (BCR) North project, a train that will connect Fort Lauderdale to Deerfield Beach. With its 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), the BCR North service will run along the current Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway line, connecting the communities of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach, with dedicated stops. This project is expected to generate economic growth through increased property values and the attraction of commercial investments. It also offers expanded access to opportunities for residents and an improvement in quality of life, by reducing congestion and enhancing environmental benefits. It will help mitigate the impacts linked to Broward’s population growth. But patience: the project is still only in the planning phase, and at best, it would be operational in 2036.
News from the I-395 Signature Bridge in Miami
The construction of the bridge, impossible to miss when arriving by car in Miami from I-95, is progressing. Also nicknamed the Fountain Bridge, this bridge is already emblematic of the city. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, for a total cost of 866 million dollars. Designed by the architectural firm Donald McDonald, the bridge is 1,025 feet wide (312 m), and the tallest arch will reach 325 feet high (99 m). The project should improve traffic flow at the I-395 / McArthur Causeway interchange between Miami and Miami Beach.
