'Yachting Center of America' proposed for Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s Bradford Marine has visions for a landmark that will showcase the area's strengths as yachting hub of the world. The Yachting Center of America will be Fort Lauderdale’s answer to the Sydney Opera House, says Vice President, Gene Douglas who argues it will also boost the economy and improve yacht services.…
A ‘landmark centerpiece’ for Fort Lauderdale's yachting and marine industry has been proposed under plans drawn up by local shipyard, Bradford Marine.
Bradford Marine President, Paul Engle and Vice President, Gene Douglas passionately believe in the need for a space that would contribute to the local economy as well as showcase the area’s role as yachting hub of the world. The structure - to include conference centre, educational facilities, concierge, restaurants and an ‘aesthetic’ multi-level car park - goes under the working title of ‘Yachting Center of America.’
“Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, more yachts per capita than anywhere else in the world – why not showcase it, make a statement?” explained Douglas.
Douglas likened it to other cities that are able to hang their hat on a specific trade or tourist industry because of their landmarks: “I call [our idea] the Fort Lauderdale Sydney Opera House.”
Yachting and tourist facilities mooted for the Center would bring benefits to the economy, state the plans now submitted for consideration to the City council. Fort Lauderdale City Council was originally mapping out a simple extension for the Las Olas marina, but Bradford Marine saw this as a “golden opportunity” to suggest more could be done:
“We’re saying, we believe if the facility is made a multi-use, multi-faceted facility, it could very well justify a much larger investment, than just a marina per se,” said Douglas.
Specifically, the Center would encourage the growth of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show, “a significant contributor to the local economy.” The multi-level carpark would provide much needed parking for the beach area and be flanked with “aesthetically pleasing” shops, boating themed restaurants and marine industry-related offices, say plans. These all come under the plans' banner of positive revenue generators.
There is also a need to unify the diverse industries in Fort Lauderdale says Douglas, which the Center would fulfill:
“Fort Lauderdale has a high concentration of companies – very diverse, the complex will be a good unifying project [in the building as well as the running of it].”
Finally, Douglas believes there is a need to perfect the yacht services Fort Lauderdale is already renowned for. The Center's US Customs and Immigration facilities, first class dockage and hospitality facilities, health care, banking and currency exchange would meet a need:
“If superyachts come here, they currently have to take a car and go to US Customs in Port Everglades. You should make it [more] convenient for them to come here.”
The Yachting Center of America has the support of Fort Lauderdale's Marina Mile Association. Bradford Marine has also presented to the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. It now needs backing of the Council and Douglas suggests a private investor would have to inject the funding to make it work.
But Douglas believes the incentive is there:
“This may be a golden opportunity to do something really good for the city, it could be a win win win, good for industry and city, good for everybody.”
Bradford Marine President, Paul Engle and Vice President, Gene Douglas passionately believe in the need for a space that would contribute to the local economy as well as showcase the area’s role as yachting hub of the world. The structure - to include conference centre, educational facilities, concierge, restaurants and an ‘aesthetic’ multi-level car park - goes under the working title of ‘Yachting Center of America.’
“Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, more yachts per capita than anywhere else in the world – why not showcase it, make a statement?” explained Douglas.
Douglas likened it to other cities that are able to hang their hat on a specific trade or tourist industry because of their landmarks: “I call [our idea] the Fort Lauderdale Sydney Opera House.”
Yachting and tourist facilities mooted for the Center would bring benefits to the economy, state the plans now submitted for consideration to the City council. Fort Lauderdale City Council was originally mapping out a simple extension for the Las Olas marina, but Bradford Marine saw this as a “golden opportunity” to suggest more could be done:
“We’re saying, we believe if the facility is made a multi-use, multi-faceted facility, it could very well justify a much larger investment, than just a marina per se,” said Douglas.
The Yachting Center of America will be a yachting landmark. Designs by EDSA
Specifically, the Center would encourage the growth of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show, “a significant contributor to the local economy.” The multi-level carpark would provide much needed parking for the beach area and be flanked with “aesthetically pleasing” shops, boating themed restaurants and marine industry-related offices, say plans. These all come under the plans' banner of positive revenue generators.
There is also a need to unify the diverse industries in Fort Lauderdale says Douglas, which the Center would fulfill:
“Fort Lauderdale has a high concentration of companies – very diverse, the complex will be a good unifying project [in the building as well as the running of it].”
Park and exhibition space is seen in foreground of what would be the primary marina
Finally, Douglas believes there is a need to perfect the yacht services Fort Lauderdale is already renowned for. The Center's US Customs and Immigration facilities, first class dockage and hospitality facilities, health care, banking and currency exchange would meet a need:
“If superyachts come here, they currently have to take a car and go to US Customs in Port Everglades. You should make it [more] convenient for them to come here.”
The Yachting Center of America has the support of Fort Lauderdale's Marina Mile Association. Bradford Marine has also presented to the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. It now needs backing of the Council and Douglas suggests a private investor would have to inject the funding to make it work.
But Douglas believes the incentive is there:
“This may be a golden opportunity to do something really good for the city, it could be a win win win, good for industry and city, good for everybody.”
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