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Sunrise commissioners press staff to address accessibility and security at new parking garage before carnival
Summary
Commissioners urged staff to ensure the new downtown parking garage is safe and accessible for carnival patrons, asking for signage, trash pickup, staffing and fixes or workarounds for elevators and automatic doors.
Commissioners on the Sunrise City Commission pressed city staff to shore up safety, accessibility and operational plans for the new downtown parking garage before the upcoming All Saints Carnival.
Commissioner Joseph Scudo told staff he supported allowing patrons to use the garage but raised multiple concerns: trash and food waste being left in the structure, patrons mistakenly reaching the second floor while elevators remain out of service, the need for staffing and patrols, and the absence of automatic door openers at the meeting‑room exit that create barriers for people using crutches or mobility devices. "I just don't want it to be a one‑and‑done where they come and whoever does whatever, and then we're not gonna wanna let them use it again," Scudo said, stressing that the city had invested in the garage and expects respectful use.
Assistant City Manager Sean Deneen told the commission staff had coordinated with Police and Leisure Services. He said the city had placed signs at both garage entrances indicating that elevators are out of service and that accessible parking spaces are on the first floor. Deneen said the city would position trash receptacles outside and inside the garage, deploy clean‑up crews over the weekend and have city staff monitor the structure.
Police leadership also confirmed plans for police presence and patrols in and around the garage during the event. Commissioners asked for a follow‑up report to confirm measures and to address outstanding accessibility issues: specifically, near‑term fixes or temporary measures for elevator outages and an assessment of automatic door controls for public egress points so patrons with mobility impairments can exit without assistance.
Commissioners noted additional facility follow‑ups, including requests for updates about street lighting along Oakland Park Boulevard and confirmation that staff will provide a written report on elevator status and remedial steps. No formal vote was required; staff committed to the operational tasks and to returning with follow‑up information as requested by the commission.
