The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve plans for the new Las Olas Marina, which is being developed by Suntex Marinas.
Located just north of the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, the marina will have 68 boat slips, a shop, offices, two restaurants, a rooftop gym and a swimming pool for marina users. Suntex has entered into a 50-year lease with the city to develop and operate the facility.
According to the Sun Sentinel newspaper, Suntex agreed to work with the city to decrease traffic congestion and said it would improve a roadway that will change from a one-way to a two-way street.
Opponents of the plan said that it could put the marina in violation of the Endangered Species Act for manatees and of a Florida statute that requires 90 percent of public marinas be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Suntex representatives said the marina will be available to the public and that the company will work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to make sure the facility is compliant with the ESA.
