We have a lot on the plate in this edition of our newsletter, including an overview of several new restaurants, but the main course is our City’s future and we are going to dig right in!

Thank you to everyone who contacted the City asking for the facts about the current road construction and #ProgressinPompano.  Unfortunately, local social media sites are filled with misinformation and half-truths. To bring clarity, we have created a FAQ sheet based upon your questions, and we will continue to update this information.

The most common question is related to lane reductions. The FACT is:  NO lanes will be removed on Dixie Highway and only ONE westbound lane on Atlantic Boulevard will be removed, ONLY from Cypress to 6th, in order to optimize traffic flow and safety for everyone.  (A more detailed response is furnished in the FAQ's.)
During construction, there will be temporary lane closures to accommodate the work. But this does not reflect the final vision.

If you’ve ever remodeled anything in your home, you know construction is never easy and to accommodate the work, you must make adjustments. As a City, we are creating a safer roadway and a signature entranceway to our new Downtown. This will take time, but the results will bring decades of positive economic impact to our community.

We appreciate your patience and sharing these facts with your family and friends.

FAQ Page

The City of Pompano Beach believes in empowering its residents so they can become more engaged in creating our future. True empowerment comes from a complete understanding of the facts, so we are thrilled to announce that famed urban planner Joe Minicozzi will be hosting two important presentations.

Minicozzi is nationally known for his lectures which incorporate storytelling, humor, and presenting complex data in an easy-to-understand format. His belief is everyone in the community, from a 6th grader to a PhD in Economics should understand their city’s economic health.

The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is proud to welcome Minicozzi to town for two free presentations.   Join us Tuesday, February 21st at 1:00 p.m. at City Hall or at 6:00 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. There will be snacks and a cash bar open beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The presentation at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center will feature a panel of leading experts including Dennis Bedley, Broward County Market President, SeaCoast Bank; Former Chairman and CEO of Legacy Bank; Barbara Blake Boy, Executive Director Broward County Planning Council; Dave Coddington, Sr. Vice President Business Development at The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance; Paul Lambert, President Lambert Advisory; Jean McIntyre, President and CEO Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Kona Gray, Principal EDSA. The panel will be moderated by Tommy DiGiorgio, Chair of the Economic Development Council and Kim Briesemeister, Principal RMA.

“Known for simple visual presentations, and ‘do the math’ data, Joe also understands the dynamic growth happening in South Florida,” said Nguyen Tran, CRA Director. “We are looking forward to sharing the results of his study on Pompano Beach and hearing his evaluation about the economic value of the new Downtown.”

Minicozzi’s award-winning analytical tools have garnered national attention in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Planetizen, Planning, New Urban News and more. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and a Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. In 2017, he was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time.

Press Release

We have the dish on three incredible new restaurants in Pompano Beach. These culinary options are going to tantalize your taste buds and make you proud to support local residents who are investing in our community!

Recently opened, Flamingo Seafood took over the former Marathon gas station located just west of the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge. While the façade still resembles its past life, the atmosphere inside will amaze you. No expense was spared in transforming this venue into a vibrant raw bar, with a full liquor license, along with a retail division that sells the freshest catch from local fishermen.

“I grew up in Pompano Beach, and I felt there was a longtime void in the market for a great raw bar,” said Will Parker, President. “I see what’s happening here-- the incredible development along the Atlantic Boulevard corridor, and I wanted to create a venue, in my backyard, that would feature super high-quality fish.”

Parker is a "Florida first" guy who has long-term relationships with local commercial fishermen. He always stocks the local catch and then fans out to other waters, ensuring the best variety. He personally is a self-professed raw oyster guy and promises an abundance of choices.

Speaking of the menu, Parker and his team have carefully curated dishes that offer an explosion of flavor offering raw bar selections, small plates, desserts and more.  Patrons are already raving about the spectacular dining experience and inviting atmosphere. Flamingo Seafood is located at 2798 E. Atlantic Boulevard.

The Bite Eatery will bring the first food hall concept to Pompano Beach. Located in Harbour Village, which underwent a major renovation. The soon-to-open venue will feature a variety of dining concepts including a full liquor bar. Participating restaurants include Deli Shack, Taco Vibez, Papa’s Pizzeria, Lobstar, Beef Boyz, Ceviche Time, Abuelita’s Cuban Bistro, Moop Gelato, and The Bite Bar, which will serve drinks to all the establishments.

Gollel Family Properties is behind the delicious concept and Principal Jessica Gollel spoke to us about this venue, which was influenced by the markets in Florence, Italy and her family dinners growing up.

“I loved the market concepts in Italy where there are so many different options under one roof,” said Gollel. “And growing up in a huge family--I have six siblings-- I loved our big weekly family dinners. So, I wanted to create a venue, where friends and family can all eat together, but enjoy a variety of tastes.”

Understanding the group dining dynamic, The Bite Eatery’s system will be structured so orders can be placed from tables via phones, and the wait staff will deliver the items from all the restaurants to the one table.

For Gollel, she is creating the type of place she feels will fit the growing demographic of the City. “Pompano Beach is an amazing place,” she said. “The development has been incredible, and now the City is attracting young families, like mine, who want to be here.”

The Bite Eatery will be located at 2715 E Atlantic Boulevard. Look for opening news on their social media pages.

The final stop on our culinary sojourn brings us to our emerging downtown where South Bar & Kitchen is anticipated to open in April. The restaurant will offer a contemporary Southern American concept with a heavy Louisiana influence. Created by Mike Linder and his team, who garnered critical acclaim with his other restaurants Jet Runway Café, YOT Bar & Kitchen and Canyon, this new concept will infuse Cajun flavors in a tantalizing way.

For Linder, who lives in Fort Lauderdale but grew up in Pompano Beach, his decision to invest in the emerging downtown was based on the tremendous redevelopment the CRA has been spearheading in the area.

“I found the location for South Bar & Kitchen six years ago, which was an old general store in the 1900s,” says Linder. “I chose to open a concept in Pompano Beach because it is home to me. I grew up here and wanted to have a place in the growing downtown area where my neighbors and friends could gather and enjoy a meal together. It is great to see how much the CRA has implemented so many wonderful incentives to attract business owners. I'm confident we will see the area flourish over time as the City of Pompano Beach is evolving now more than ever.”

Linder also really liked the design concept of The Backyard, the soon-to-be-completed public plaza that his restaurant patio will open out to. Here, South Bar & Kitchen will feature an outdoor community patio with the centerpiece of an iconic tree embellished with sparkling lights and an outdoor smoker that will warm the food and introduce a smoky scent that imparts flavors to the fare being prepared. 

South Bar & Kitchen will be located at 165 NE 1st Avenue. Look for opening news on their social media pages.

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