The Hallandale Beach City Commission on an evening vote approved a resolution to rename Foster Park as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Park, Foster Park Community Center as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, and Foster Park Plaza as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Plaza, and waived the city's renaming policy.

Supporters told the commission the change is meant to correct an historical wrong and to anchor economic and cultural revitalization in the city's northwest neighborhood. "We want to do away with Foster," organizer Reverend Dr. Sanders said, explaining the move was prompted by research showing Foster's segregationist past. "Tonight is just the renaming," Sanders added, saying logistical details would be addressed at a community meeting scheduled for Monday.

The vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Adams, Mayor Mary Cooper, Commissioner Butler and Vice Mayor Lazaro voting yes; Commissioner Lee Matau was absent. The motion and second were recorded but the transcript does not identify who made them. City staff said a community meeting will follow and organizers plan a short unity walk to the new MLK site.

Why it matters: speakers urged the commission to use the renaming as the start of broader neighborhood renewal. Community leader Quinnia Gordon framed the proposal in economic terms, saying a Dream Center and plaza could become a destination for visitors and help showcase local culture. "This can be a drawing card for many African Americans when they come to South Florida," Gordon said.

Public comment was strongly represented. Cheryl Robinson, who initially opposed the renaming, said she worried the change could be "a cover up" for shortcomings around the city's Martin Luther King Day event, and urged organizers to improve programming so vendors, families and elders can take part. Robert Green recounted a personal battle with cancer and urged unity. Gary Johnson, representing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and King Clergy, asked commissioners to pair the renaming with economic steps for the west side of Hallandale Beach.

Mayor Mary Cooper said she supported a commemorative event regardless of the parade's status and called the commission's action a step toward a "completely new day" for the northwest neighborhood. "It was never gonna be an option for me not to have some commemorative event," Cooper said, and endorsed using Dr. King’s legacy as a foundation for revitalization.

Procedural details: the resolution as presented on the agenda (Item 12b) authorized the three renamings and included a waiver of the city’s renaming policy. City manager and staff said the approval tonight covers the name changes; logistics for events and the proposed unity walk will be worked out at a community meeting next Monday. Commissioners and speakers repeatedly emphasized volunteerism and ongoing community involvement as critical to follow-through.

What remains: organizers and city staff said further planning meetings and a short unity walk (described in public remarks as running "from Johnson to the new MLK Center") will be scheduled and placed on the commission calendar. The commission did not set implementation dates in the recorded discussion, and details such as signage, funding, and program staffing were described as to be determined at the community meeting.

Votes at a glance: Resolution to rename Foster Park, Foster Park Community Center and Foster Park Plaza for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; motion passed 4-0 (Commissioner Adams: yes; Mayor Mary Cooper: yes; Commissioner Butler: yes; Vice Mayor Lazaro: yes; Commissioner Lee Matau: absent).