Jenni Morejon, President & CEO, Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority

May 2026 — Invest: spoke with Jenni Morejon, president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, about downtown’s public-space strategy, including the Huizenga Park transformation. “We like to describe Huizenga Park as everyone’s outdoor living room, dining room, and backyard all in one,” Morejon said.

How would you describe the pace and nature of investment in downtown Fort Lauderdale?

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is one of the top 18-hour cities in the country, with activity and energy that extend well beyond the traditional workday. That momentum is reflected in its rapid population growth, which has more than doubled over the past decade — from roughly 13,000 to about 27,000 residents in a compact two square mile downtown.

What’s particularly notable is how that growth is evolving. Since 2018, there has been an 83% increase in families choosing to call downtown home, alongside a 50% increase in young professionals building careers in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. This diversification signals a maturing urban core — one that is not only vibrant, but increasingly livable across different stages of life.

As the residential base has expanded, investment has kept pace with more than $12 billion in total investment tied to the urban core. That scale of development is a major reason the city’s trajectory feels so visible today, reinforcing downtown Fort Lauderdale as one of one Florida’s most dynamic cities, which has reinforced the city’s growth into Broward’s top economic engine with a $43 billion annual economic impact. 

The DDA launched the Fort Lauderdale Fueled by Water campaign to better quantify and tell the story of how our waterways shape both identity and economic opportunity. As a global yachting hub, Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront has long been a defining asset, and today it continues to position the city for sustained growth.

That influence can be seen across multiple sectors. Investment is flowing into key tourism drivers, including Port Everglades, as well as hotel and convention-related development. At the same time, we are seeing continued momentum in waterfront redevelopment, along with meaningful investment in parks, public spaces, and residential projects, including a growing number of branded residences entering the market.

These trends are not happening by chance. They reflect a foundation that has been built over many years through strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and a clear focus on leveraging the city’s unique coastal assets. Now, those efforts are translating into visible results, with strong momentum today and a clear expectation that this trajectory will continue in the years ahead.

How is the DDA helping downtown remain competitive as a destination?

The DDA led the $ 15 million transformation of Huizenga Park into Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature gathering space, creating an iconic park for the downtown community. 

Since celebrating its grand reopening in January, Huizenga Park has quickly become one of Fort Lauderdale’s most popular destinations and is on pace to host over 250,000 guests during its inaugural year. Huizenga Park has become everyone’s outdoor living room, dining room, and backyard all in one. With the support of our programming sponsors and partners, Huizenga Park is hosting more than 250 free events across the pillars of arts &culture, health &wellness, and dogs & pets this year. The goal is to create a welcoming, consistent gathering place that elevates Fort Lauderdale’s livability and quality of life. 

Huizenga Park was made possible by an unprecedented public-private philanthropic partnership that helped raise nearly $8 million from over 100 private donors. The enthusiastic support from so many community leaders makes it possible for this special public space to have an elevated level of service that includes 24/7 security, a dedicated park groundskeeper, and cleaning team to ensure that Huizenga Park is always safe, comfortable, and welcoming. 

This approach can serve as a model inspiring other public space improvements throughout Downtown Fort Lauderdale, creating a world-class network of public spaces for generations to come. For more information visit www.huizengapark.org.