Spotlight On: Dean Trantalis, Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
April 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Mayor Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale discussed key city developments, including the impact of public-private partnerships, balancing urban growth with neighborhood preservation, upcoming infrastructure projects, and his administration’s efforts to foster global investment and entrepreneurship.
How have public-private partnerships shaped Fort Lauderdale’s recent development?
I became mayor almost seven years ago, and since then, Fort Lauderdale has seen significant private investment — not just in private enterprise but also in public projects. The city has engaged in public-private partnerships. As a result, we’ve leveraged city assets and matched them with private investment to create some of the most impressive sporting facilities in the country.
In 2020, we built a $170 million soccer stadium to replace two condemned, disused stadiums. These dilapidated facilities had lost their spring training teams, a missed opportunity for local kids to see their favorite baseball players. Now, soccer favorites like Lionel Messi play here, and the stadium is packed every time, becoming a centerpiece for a vision years in the making.
In addition to the soccer stadium, Inter Miami built a high school football stadium for two schools that never had one and established a soccer academy. This has been a tremendous investment.
This past year, the Florida Panthers opened the Iceplex in Fort Lauderdale, a training facility with a public ice skating rink. Since its opening, hundreds of kids and their parents have come to play hockey and skate, with almost 30 adult teams playing there weekly, a great addition.
The War Memorial Auditorium has undergone a complete transformation. Over $100 million was invested in improving both entertainment and sporting facilities, providing more opportunities for families to enjoy Fort Lauderdale. This December, we’ll open a new pickleball center with 44 courts. Built on reclaimed land, this will make Fort Lauderdale a major pickleball hub, with world tournaments soon to be held. Again, this is more private investment in the public realm, and we’re very excited about it.
Our Aquatic Center has also been redeveloped using public and private funds. We now host national and international swimming and diving competitions and have the tallest dive tower in the world at 27 meters. These developments attract investment in Fort Lauderdale, creating an unmatched quality of life. This has made Fort Lauderdale a highly desirable place to live, as reflected in our real estate market. We have a housing shortage because demand is so high, even though we’re constantly building.
These projects draw investors in real estate and other industries. For example, tech companies are investing heavily here. Google AI recently announced a partnership with Infinite Reality, which is building a new movie studio in our city. This collaboration will generate content for films, videos, and commercials. We’re thrilled about this partnership and the excitement it’s generating for an industry that captures so many imaginations.
How is Fort Lauderdale balancing urban growth with preserving residential neighborhoods?
When we saw housing demand continuing to rise, we realized we needed areas to accommodate this growth. The community identified Flagler Village in downtown Fort Lauderdale, once considered a slum and blighted area, and part of a CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) since the late 1980s. Since then, we’ve established building guidelines, and now you can see numerous high-rises downtown.
We try to avoid expanding into single-family home neighborhoods, aiming to keep them intact and protect them from development. That’s why we focus on smart growth, which isn’t just about constructing buildings — it’s about building infrastructure to sustain that growth. We’ve invested over $500 million in Fortified Lauderdale, to develop stormwater systems to prevent flooding and maintain quality of life.
We’re also investing almost $700 million in a new water treatment plant to accommodate growth and replace outdated facilities. These smart investments ensure urban lovers can enjoy it, while quieter, single-family neighborhoods remain unaffected. This allows residents to enjoy a vibrant downtown and a peaceful home environment.
What are some projects the city has in place that will impact traffic and mobility in the coming years?
As you know, the county is primarily responsible for transportation, including managing and funding bus routes. However, we’ve been discussing an enhanced rail program alongside Brightline. This would involve commuter trains running from Miami to West Palm Beach, and we hope to get that off the ground soon.
One of the challenges in Fort Lauderdale is the river that runs through our city. The marine industry, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry here, would be impacted by the increased number of trains crossing the bridge over the river. If we see 40, 50, or 80 new trains passing daily, that bridge would be down most of the day, which would hurt the marine industry. We don’t want to see them leave, so we’re working with the county to propose a 1.1-mile tunnel that would take the trains under the river. This would reconnect communities long divided by the railroad system and allow open access across the city.
Locally, the city has also been working with Circuit, a company offering golf cart-like transportation. Residents can use an app to call for rides within a certain area, often at little to no cost. It’s safe, convenient, and part of our broader efforts to make living in Fort Lauderdale more accessible and enjoyable.
How is your office fostering an environment that encourages global investment and entrepreneurship?
When investors consider cities for location or investment, they evaluate the ecosystem that meets their needs — affordable housing for workers, entertainment, and sports to enhance quality of life. We also have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state for a city our size. Just this morning, I read that a neighboring city has a tax rate twice that of Fort Lauderdale, making us an attractive place to invest.
Of course, Florida’s lack of state income tax is another big plus. But beyond that, it’s about quality of life. I recently met with local school principals to discuss improving public schools and making families feel confident in sending their children there. Public safety and after-school programs play a big role, and although the county manages the school system, the city contributes. We were the first to establish a Chief Education Officer as a liaison with the school board.
These efforts create an ecosystem that attracts investment. Recently, we met with financial services companies already establishing themselves here. Interestingly, several Irish companies are choosing Fort Lauderdale as a base, and we’re excited to support their growth. We believe Fort Lauderdale is an easier place to invest, live, and enjoy life.
What are your top priorities for Fort Lauderdale over the next few years
I’m running for re-election for what will be my final term. The priorities for the next term are as exciting as those from my first two. A key focus will be continuing the initiatives we’ve started, ensuring they come to fruition. For example, we’re building a new City Hall with community input, and we’re ready to create a building that truly serves the people.
We also want to complete infrastructure projects that keep our neighborhoods safe and ensure a reliable water supply — essential for a resilient city. Another priority is bringing high-end retail back to Fort Lauderdale, as we’ve lost much of it to neighboring cities. I’m often asked why we don’t have a decent mall, and high-end retail is part of the complete experience of living here.
Public safety remains a top priority, with a significant portion of our budget dedicated to it. We’re about to pass ordinances to address homelessness, camping, and panhandling, not only to protect the community but also to ensure the safety of those involved. Many individuals, including those with mental health issues, need help, and this Commission is committed to addressing these challenges immediately.
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