Ben Sorensen - Fort Lauderdale

Public Meeting at ArtServe 6/11/2026

The City of Fort Lauderdale is considering a proposed ordinance related to e-bikes and micromobility devices. The proposed ordinance would address where these devices may operate within parks and shared pedestrian areas to improve safety.

Visit this link for additional details and to REGISTER to attend VIRTUALLY:
https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Explore-FTL/Event-Calendar/Public-Meeting-Proposed-E-Bike-Rules

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and the City of Fort Lauderdale is proud to recognize it. Many men remain reluctant to seek help due to stigma and societal pressures, often delaying treatment and support during times of need. This month serves as an important reminder for the men in our community to prioritize their mental health and know that reaching out for help is not a weakness but is in fact a sign of strength. That's why I was happy to present this proclamation. Thank you to local advocate Dustin Giannelli and Mazlanovich Joseph from the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI Broward County for joining me and for the work you do to create spaces where men feel safe to seek support. Remember that all it takes is that first step of reaching out to seek help.

This place is so cool! Tonight, we celebrated the official Grand Opening of The Ave, a phenomenal new restaurant right here in District 4. The Ave is a wonderful new addition to Fort Lauderdale, bringing an easygoing energy and a welcoming atmosphere for friends and family to gather. It was a fantastic time celebrating their launch, with great company, food, and an impressive selection of drinks. I was so grateful to be apart of their opening day. Please come out this weekend and check out the beautiful space for yourself!

Where are your transportation surtax dollars going?

As Fort Lauderdale’s Vice Mayor and a member of the Broward MPO Board, I work with local, county, and regional leaders to help prioritize transportation investments that improve safety, mobility, and quality of life throughout our city.

More than $164 million in transportation improvements have been completed, are underway, or are planned in Fort Lauderdale through 2030.

Some of these investments include:

✅ South Ocean Drive Bridge Improvements

✅ Andrews Avenue resurfacing and bike lane improvements

✅ Cypress Creek Road resurfacing, bike lanes, sidewalks, and fiber optic network upgrades

✅ NE 62nd Street resurfacing, bike lanes, and intersection improvements

✅ Citywide sidewalk construction and maintenance projects

✅ Adaptive traffic signal improvements along Commercial Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, Broward Boulevard, SE 17th Street Causeway, and other major corridors

✅ School safety improvements near Bayview Elementary, Stranahan High School, and other schools

✅ Drainage improvements throughout the city, including Andrews Avenue, McNab Road, NW 21st Avenue, and NE 56th Street

✅ Community shuttle service funding

Looking ahead, additional investments are planned for the NE 26th Street Mobility Project, SW 14th Avenue and Middle Street improvements, multiple bridge replacements and upgrades, roadway resurfacing projects, bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, school safety projects, and drainage improvements throughout Fort Lauderdale.

These projects aren’t just about transportation. They’re about improving safety, reducing congestion, enhancing drainage, creating better bicycle and pedestrian connections, supporting economic development, and investing in the long-term future of Fort Lauderdale.

I will continue working to ensure taxpayer dollars are invested wisely and that Fort Lauderdale receives its fair share of regional transportation funding.

Fort Lauderdale’s waterways are one of our greatest treasures, and improving their health and resilience has been one of my top priorities on the City Commission.

I’m pleased to share several important updates:

✅ Construction is underway on the City’s new sewer pumpout vessel, which will help reduce pollution and improve water quality throughout our waterways.

✅ The City has launched the Living Seawall Permit Fee Assistance Program, providing funding to help property owners install living seawalls that enhance marine habitat, improve shoreline resilience, and support cleaner waterways. I was proud to champion the Living Seawall initiative and help move this innovative program forward.

✅ More than 57 tons of debris were removed from our canals and waterways during the first four months of 2026, helping keep our waterways cleaner and safer for residents, boaters, and wildlife.

✅ The new Adopt-a-Shoreline Program is now connecting volunteers and community organizations with opportunities to protect and beautify our waterways for future generations. This was started by Anna Finneran - a high school student who brought this idea to me and we (mostly she!) made it happen!

In addition, I successfully advocated for expanded water quality testing throughout the city, giving us better data to identify problem areas, track trends, and make informed decisions. While there is still work to do, all of these efforts represent meaningful progress toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient Fort Lauderdale.

Thank you to City staff, residents, environmental partners, and volunteers who continue to support these important initiatives. Together, we are making a real difference for our waterways and our community.

Fort Lauderdale residents affected by the April 2023 Flood:

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s application portal is now open for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) assistance programs. These federal funds may help eligible residents with home rehabilitation, reconstruction, and elevation projects related to flood recovery.

The City has secured more than $88 million in disaster recovery funding, and staff are hosting community meetings and application assistance sessions to help residents navigate the process.

Learn more and apply here:
https://fortlauderdale.gov/cdbg-dr

If you or someone you know is still recovering from the historic flooding, I encourage you to explore these available resources.

| City of Fort Lauderdale, FL Did you type the address? You might have typed the address incorrectly. Make sure you’ve got the exact right spelling and try again.

You are invited to attend a community meeting regarding the Art Lighting System project at the E. Clay Shaw Jr. Bridge. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the project’s design details, ask questions, and share concerns.

Register Now: https://fortlauderdale.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_eVemU11YSSWor0yvu3zY8g