Fort Lauderdale outlines seawall, Ocean Rescue headquarters work at International Swimming Hall of Fame

Ben Rogers, acting assistant city manager, told the Fort Lauderdale City Commission on Jan. 7 that phase 1 of the International Swimming Hall of Fame renovation will focus on a new seawall, demolition of the east building and construction of an Ocean Rescue headquarters, and that later phases will cover additional buildings and docks.

Rogers described the seawall work as “approximately 1,400 linear feet” with an estimated cost of about $10,000,000 and said seawall construction is expected to start in early April and take roughly one year, with the Ocean Rescue building finishing several months later in summer 2026. He said demolition and enabling work are expected over the next four to six months and that the project team has adjusted the schedule to avoid peak-season conflicts and major events.

The Ocean Rescue headquarters was presented as having rooftop spectator space and storage and was described in the meeting as roughly 30 feet above the pool deck. Rogers said the design team has submitted drawings for Development Review Committee administrative review, which would not require a separate city-commission approval.

Residential neighbors and the project team both spoke at the meeting. John Burns, president of the Venetian Condominium at 1 La Sola Circle, said his building — representing 237 owners — is “directly across the waterway from this site” and raised concerns about pile-driving vibration and potential building damage. Burns asked that the developer use pre- and post-construction inspections and on-site seismic monitoring similar to measures used on previous projects.

Greg Jennings, project manager with Tinsall Phelps Construction, said vibration monitoring is contractually required during pile installation. “We will conduct vibration monitoring,” Jennings said, and estimated that installing piles for about 1,400 linear feet would take “several months,” beginning in the spring (mid to late March) and proceeding from the west tip of the peninsula toward the north and south.

Rogers and other city staff described expected construction hours (typically five days a week, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no noise-generating work before 8 a.m.), planned coordination with the Central Beach Alliance and water taxi operators, and the project team’s pledge to coordinate around spring break and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Mario Caprini, a member of the project team, said staff will “consult with our subcontractor” and work with concerned neighbors.

The commission did not take a formal vote on Phase 1 at the conference meeting; Rogers said staff will return with further updates on later phases in March or April.

Ending

City staff and the construction team committed to ongoing coordination with neighborhood groups and to vibration monitoring during sheet-pile installation. Residents seeking more detail were told city and project staff will meet with building representatives to discuss pre-construction inspections and monitoring plans.