Spotlight On: Nick Sortal, Mayor, City of Plantation
October 2024 – In an interview with Invest:, Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal said the city attracts companies with class-A office space, incentives, and stable decision-making. He also talked about addressing homelessness and affordable housing as priority issues, and how the city is balancing growth while maintaining its small-town feel.
What have been the main highlights and key milestones for the city of Plantation in the last 12 months?
The No. 1 highlight has been the results of our recent survey, which showed that people love living in Plantation. They believe it is clean and safe, and that customer service is consistently high. In terms of development, we have made significant progress in the eastern part of town. Publix is coming to that area, which is being redeveloped along State Road 7. This corridor in Broward County could always use some improvement, and having Publix will raise the overall quality of the area. Additionally, Jazwares, a major toy company known for products like Squishmallows, has moved into the western part of Plantation. Jazwares is the third-largest toymaker in the world, and it is partially owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Its headquarters are now located here, joining other notable companies like Magic Leap, a technology-focused company, and Chewy, which is a pet food company.
What makes the city a great place to live, work and travel to?
People enjoy living here because it feels like a larger version of the fictional town of Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show. The town is characterized by a strong sense of community, with friendly interactions and a high level of respect among residents. We have 42 parks, and our events are always well attended, reflecting the community spirit. Despite approaching a population of 100,000, Plantation still feels like a small town to many of our residents. Geographically, we are centrally located in Broward County, which means people can access other areas quickly and conveniently. This is a significant advantage.
What are some of the main industries and sectors showing the biggest opportunities for economic growth and investment?
Plantation performs well in class-A office space, attracting companies that wish to establish their offices here. We work to provide incentives for companies to stay and invest in the area. Many local businesses with a long history of family ownership choose Plantation as a second base for their operations.
How is Plantation benefiting from population growth, corporate relocations and overall business growth?
We have benefited from these trends by making thoughtful decisions that balance growth with maintaining the character of the city. Unlike Fort Lauderdale, which has experienced congestion due to rapid development, Plantation has managed steady, controlled growth. We ensure that the growth does not overwhelm our infrastructure, allowing for a more manageable expansion.
In Plantation Acres, we have eliminated the use of “flex” units to protect the unique rural character of the area. This approach not only helps preserve the character of the area but has also allowed the conversation for the use of flex units in Midtown, where they belong, to move forward.
Our city leadership, including the mayor and city council members, is both passionate and fair. We strive for rational and levelheaded decision-making, which is appealing to businesses seeking stability and predictability.
How does the city support businesses that are already established or those looking to move here?
We prioritize providing certainty to businesses. They want to know the rules and regulations, including development density and other factors. We encourage open communication, advising businesses to engage with us early to avoid surprises. Businesses dislike unexpected obstacles, so we aim for transparency and predictability. We primarily offer financial incentives at the back end. For example, if a business meets its employment commitments, they might receive a financial break. We avoid offering incentives upfront to prevent potential issues if the business does not fulfill its promises.
In terms of projects, what new developments or infrastructure projects would you highlight?
The Broward Mall, which is at the centerpiece of our city, located at Broward Boulevard and University Drive, is undergoing significant changes. The mall had sold a portion of its property to Sears, and due to bankruptcy issues, the redevelopment has been stalled for about six years. We are finally moving forward with plans to revamp the mall. We hope to introduce high-end restaurants and further enhance our dining options, as people greatly value new dining experiences. The property has looked dilapidated for some time, but we are optimistic that we are turning the corner with a potential buyer whose plan we greatly appreciate.
The Plantation Walk area is also continuing to grow, with more restaurants opening and the development of a live-work-play environment. This area, near the Broward Mall, could potentially become a new downtown district. We envision it integrating with Broward Mall and having residents who can utilize micro-transit options like Freebee and Lyft. Freebee, for instance, provides EV transportation and offers discounts at local businesses, such as TacoCraft. This type of microtransit is designed for short trips within a defined area, and we are excited about its potential.
What are the main challenges for the city, and how are local authorities planning to address these challenges?
One of the significant challenges we face is a growing homeless population. We are committed to addressing homelessness with compassion. Our approach involves treating homelessness as a psychological and life management problem rather than merely a legal issue. A new state law coming into effect in October will make public sleeping illegal. This will require us to address situations where individuals are breaking the law, but we face the challenge of finding appropriate places for them to go. Broward County is looking at potential solutions, and while we are happy to contribute, it will take a collaborative effort from all involved. Moreover, homeless individuals often move across city boundaries, so addressing the issue requires a regional approach.
What are the main plans and priorities for the city of Plantation over the next two to three years?
Our focus will be on developing the Gateway area along State Road 7. This part of the city has seen significant investment, including the addition of a Publix store and the closure of a less desirable hotel. We anticipate that this area will develop into a major medical hub, with HCA Healthcare planning to expand its facilities. While affordable housing is a challenge, particularly near the mall where real estate is expensive, we aim to explore opportunities for affordable housing in more cost-effective areas like State Road 7. Our biggest challenge will be communicating with businesses and exploring all possibilities to address these issues effectively.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.plantation.org/
