Save the Riverwalk

Riverwalk North seawall · Downtown Fort Lauderdale

The City warned that the Riverwalk might collapse. Then part of it did.

In grant applications filed in March 2025 and March 2026, the City of Fort Lauderdale told a state agency that the Riverwalk North catwalk “has lost all its reinforcement due to corrosion” and “may be on the verge of collapse.”[5, 6] In August 2026, CBS News Miami reported that a portion of the walkway had collapsed and that the City had barricaded the stretch from Andrews Avenue west to the train bridge.[7]

Read our asks Download the full report (PDF)

Overhead view of the Riverwalk 9/11 Monument, with displaced pavers and barricades along the edge of its base.
Overhead view of the Riverwalk 9/11 Monument, with displaced pavers and barricades along the edge of its base. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026.

The core facts

  • The failing section is about 510 feet of seawall and walkway on the north bank of the New River, between Andrews Avenue and the FEC Railway bridge.[1]
  • The City’s own records have documented its deterioration since 2013, and in December 2023 staff found that the section “requires immediate replacement.”[1, 2]
  • The design contract has been extended five times and has lapsed twice. It is now worth $1,227,735.74 and is due December 5, 2026, two years later than first planned.[9, 10]
  • The City now expects construction to start in summer 2027 and to cost about $12 million.[13]
  • The adopted capital plan adds no new money for the project until fiscal year 2030.[14]
  • Part of the base of the Riverwalk 9/11 Monument has been removed and stored because of the seawall’s condition.[8]

Six requests from the report

Our asks

Our report makes six requests. The first five are directed to the City Commission and the Acting City Manager. The sixth is also directed to the state and federal delegation.

  1. Assess interim stabilization now

    At its October 20 or November 6, 2026 meeting, the Commission should consider a resolution directing the City Manager to have the engineer of record assess interim stabilization of the failed section within 30 days and, if the assessment supports it, to use emergency procurement under Section 255.20 of the Florida Statutes and the City Code.

    Why: The City told a state agency that the catwalk “may be on the verge of collapse,” part of the walkway collapsed by August 12, 2026, and construction is not expected to begin until summer 2027.[5, 6, 7, 13] State law exempts repairs to public works damaged by a sudden, unexpected event that creates an immediate danger, and the City used emergency purchasing for design work on this same seawall in 2017.[57, 26] Whether the collapse meets the legal test is for the City to determine.

    Who can do it: The City Commission, by resolution, and Acting City Manager Christopher Cooper.

  2. Move the money forward

    The Commission should consider a budget amendment moving the $7,983,841 now programmed for FY 2030 into FY 2027, and staff should bring the $2,967,364 FIND agreement and its match to the Commission no later than December 2, 2026.

    Why: The adopted capital plan shows no new funds in FY 2027 through FY 2029, while a summer 2027 construction start falls in FY 2027 and the two FIND awards require $4,000,000 in local match, more than the project’s unspent balance at the end of May 2026.[14, 15, 16, 23] As of October 6, 2026, no agreement for the second award had appeared on a Commission agenda.[20]

    Who can do it: The City Commission, by budget amendment, and the Acting City Manager and City staff, who place the FIND agreement on the agenda.

  3. No further design extensions

    The City should hold HBC Engineering to the December 5, 2026 completion date, publish a construction schedule, and advertise the construction bid in early 2027.

    Why: The design contract has lapsed twice and been revived twice by retroactive agreement, its value has risen by about 80 percent, and its completion date has moved two years.[10, 33]

    Who can do it: The Acting City Manager, who administers the contract, and the City Commission, which approves any changes to it.

  4. A written plan for the 9/11 Monument

    The City should publish how the removed base is being stored, how the monument will be honored in the meantime, and a target date for putting the base back.

    Why: The City removed and stored part of the monument’s base, and no reinstallation date has been published. Under the current schedule, that work would follow a construction start in summer 2027.[8, 13]

    Who can do it: The Acting City Manager, and the City Commission, which can request the plan.

  5. Publish the record

    The City should publish the inspection reports behind its structural findings, including the 2016 survey and the FDOT Bridge Management Inventory System determination, along with any engineering assessment made after the collapse, the status of the Army Corps of Engineers permit, the basis for the $12 million estimate, and monthly progress updates.

    Why: None of these documents is in the public record our report reviewed: the 2016 survey report is not attached, the Corps permit was last described as pending in early 2026, and the record does not contain the basis for the $12 million figure.[25, 15, 23, 13]

    Who can do it: The Acting City Manager and City staff, and the City Commission, which can direct that the documents be released.

  6. Ask the state and federal delegation for help

    The City should seek a 2027 state appropriation through the Broward legislative delegation, including Senator Rosalind Osgood and the members elected to House Districts 99 and 100 in November 2026, before the regular session convenes on March 2, 2027, and should raise the project with the member of Congress who will represent the site from January 2027.

    Why: The project has not appeared in any Resilient Florida statewide plan for 2024 through 2027.[17, 18, 19] Representative Chip LaMarca’s House service ends in November 2026 under the eight-year limit, so the request must go to the delegation that will sit in the 2027 session.[55, 71, 75, 76]

    Who can do it: The City Commission and Acting City Manager, who make the request; Senator Osgood and the House District 99 and 100 members elected in November 2026; and the member of Congress for the site from January 2027, whose district our report could not verify.[70, 73, 74]

These six requests are taken from Section 11.2 of our report.

Condition and history

The problem

The City describes the project as the replacement of about 510 linear feet of seawall on the New River between Andrews Avenue and the FEC Railway, together with the pile-supported concrete walkway, which the City calls the catwalk, attached to it.[1] The City’s March 2026 grant application explains that this seawall “retains the subbase for the entire Riverwalk north business area,” so a failure would affect many neighboring businesses.[6] The site lies in City Commission District 4.[10]

The Riverwalk 9/11 Monument, dedicated by the City on September 11, 2020, stands within the project area, and the redesign approved in November 2025 includes raising it to the new grade.[9, 22]

Thirteen years in the City's own records

  • 2013The Commission approved a $77,818 work order, plus $7,800 in engineering fees, to reinforce the seawall and the beams under the Riverwalk slab between Andrews Avenue and Flagler. The memo said areas next to the seawall “have settled and buckled due to erosion and migration of soil into the canal.”[2, 24]
  • 2016The Commission approved up to $9,000 for a condition survey of Riverwalk North between the railway and Andrews Avenue. The survey report itself is not attached to the public record.[25]
  • 2017A sinkhole opened behind the seawall just east of the Andrews Avenue Bridge. Divers found that 100 feet of canal bottom protecting the base of the wall had disappeared, with more than 10 feet of scour under and behind it. The City declared an emergency on March 7, 2017.[3, 26]
  • 2019The Commission rejected both construction bids because each was about twice the engineer’s estimate. The memo said the seawall and catwalk “are structurally deficient” and that the condition “may lead to a systematic failure of the concrete catwalk which could become a public hazard.”[4]
  • 2023In recommending the design contract, staff reported that City inspectors had determined this section “requires immediate replacement.”[1]
  • 2025–2026The City told the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) that the catwalk slab had lost all its reinforcement to corrosion and “may be on the verge of collapse,” and that the seawall had become a public hazard.[5, 6]
  • August 2026CBS News Miami reported that a portion of the walkway had collapsed and that the City had barricaded the section from Andrews Avenue west to the train bridge.[7]
The barricaded walkway, with displaced pavers and standing water behind the seawall cap.
The barricaded Riverwalk North walkway west of Andrews Avenue, showing displaced pavers and standing water behind the seawall cap. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.

In the City's own words

“Only the pile cap is believed to be holding the seawall in place, which the cap was not designed to do structurally.”

City of Fort Lauderdale Public Works memorandum, March 2017[3]

“[The condition] may lead to a systematic failure of the concrete catwalk which could become a public hazard.”

City Commission agenda memo, March 2019[4]

“The section of the seawall on the New River between the FEC Railway and Andrews Avenue requires immediate replacement.”

City Commission agenda memo, December 2023[1]

“[The catwalk ribbed slab] has lost all its reinforcement due to corrosion and can no longer sustain the original design load it was intended to support and may be on the verge of collapse.”

City FIND pre-application, March 2025[5]

“[The catwalk] can no longer carry it's intended load, therefore it is a public safety hazard.”

City FIND application, March 2026 (original spelling)[6]

The August 2026 failure

The City’s assistant director of public works told CBS News Miami that the old seawall allows soil beneath the pavers to escape into the river, creating holes and cavities, and that the wall is ranked second in the City’s seawall replacement plan.[7] The sources do not give the exact date of the collapse, so our report dates it to on or before August 12, 2026.[7]

The schedule and the money

Each time the City has filed for a grant, the expected finish has moved later. The projected end of construction went from January 2026 in the 2024 filing, to October 2026 in the 2025 filing, to December 2027 in the 2026 filing. The City’s September 2026 statement that construction will start in summer 2027 and take at least a year implies completion no earlier than summer 2028.[6, 7, 11, 12, 13]

The cost estimate has risen from about $8 million in the 2025 and 2026 filings to $12 million in September 2026.[12, 13, 44] The adopted FY 2027–2031 capital plan shows an unspent balance of $2,937,104, nothing new in FY 2027, FY 2028 or FY 2029, and $7,983,841 in FY 2030.[14] FIND has awarded $1,032,636 and $2,967,364, and each award requires an equal local match.[15, 16]

Documented events, 2013 to 2026

Timeline

This timeline reproduces Table 1 of our report. Dates are those shown in the cited record.

  1. Aug. 20, 2013

    Commission approves Work Order 3 ($77,818 plus $7,800 engineering) to reinforce the seawall; walk had “settled and buckled.”[2]

  2. Oct. 18, 2016

    Commission approves condition survey inspection of Riverwalk North (up to $9,000).[25]

  3. Mar. 7, 2017

    City declares emergency for undermined seawall east of Andrews Avenue; $83,404 emergency design purchase follows.[3, 26]

  4. Nov. 28 – Dec. 7, 2018

    ITB 12208-493 issued; two bids received.[4]

  5. Mar. 19, 2019

    Commission rejects all bids at about twice the estimate; catwalk called “structurally deficient.”[4, 27]

  6. Aug. 11 – Oct. 12, 2022

    RFQ 12716-626 for design consultant issued; six proposals received.[1, 28]

  7. Dec. 5, 2023

    HBC Engineering design agreement approved, $682,534.41; staff say section “requires immediate replacement.”[1, 29]

  8. Mar. 19, 2024

    Commission authorizes $3 million FIND application (total project estimated at $9 million).[11, 30]

  9. Apr. 9, 2024

    Notice to Proceed issued to HBC; completion due Dec. 5, 2024.[9]

  10. Nov. 13, 2024 – Mar. 10, 2025

    Change Orders 2, 3, and 4 add 30, 45, and 120 days; completion moves to Jun. 18, 2025.[9]

  11. Mar. 18, 2025

    Commission authorizes $4 million FIND application.[31]

  12. Jun. 5, 2025

    Marine operators raise floating-dock concerns at the Marine Advisory Board.[32]

  13. Jun. 18, 2025

    HBC agreement expires.[33]

  14. Oct. 2025

    FIND awards $1,032,636 of the $4 million requested, reduced for lack of permits.[15]

  15. Nov. 4, 2025

    First retroactive agreement and Change Order 5 approved (+$545,201.33, 250 days).[34]

  16. Feb. 3, 2026

    Commission authorizes FIND project agreement for $1,032,636.[35, 36]

  17. Mar. 3, 2026

    Commission authorizes $2,967,364 FIND application.[37, 38]

  18. Apr. 9, 2026

    First retroactive agreement expires.[33]

  19. Jun. 2, 2026

    Second retroactive agreement approved (240 days, to Dec. 5, 2026).[39]

  20. Jul. 3, 2026

    Christopher Cooper becomes Acting City Manager.[40, 41]

  21. By Aug. 12, 2026

    Walkway collapse reported; section barricaded.[7]

    Overhead view of the barricaded walkway, sunken and pulled away from the seawall.
    The barricaded section seen from above, with the brick walkway sunken and pulled away from the seawall. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026 (exact date not recorded).

  22. By Aug. 28, 2026

    City removes and stores part of the 9/11 Monument base.[8]

    Overhead view of the 9/11 Monument with displaced pavers at the edge of its base.
    The 9/11 Monument from above, with displaced pavers and barricades along the edge of its base. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026 (exact date not recorded).

  23. Sep. 11, 2026

    25th-anniversary Never Forget event held in the Flow Breezeway rather than at the monument.[22, 42]

    The barricaded walkway along the river on September 11, 2026.
    The barricaded walkway on the day of the anniversary. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
    The Never Forget event under way in the Flow Breezeway.
    The Never Forget event in the Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.

  24. Sep. 14, 2026

    FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan adopted.[21]

  25. Sep. 24, 2026

    FIND lists $2,967,364 award for “Riverwalk North Replacement Part 2.”[16]

  26. Sep. 28, 2026

    City tells Local 10 the fix will cost $12 million; construction expected summer 2027.[13]

  27. Dec. 5, 2026

    Current design completion date under the second retroactive agreement.[33]

The seawall, and the 25th anniversary

Photos

Nathan Stevenson took all of these photographs in 2026. The aerial views are undated within the year. The ground-level photos were taken on September 11, 2026, the day of the 25th-anniversary Never Forget event, which the Thank You First Responder Organization moved to the Flow Breezeway, next to the monument, because organizers considered the grounds too unsafe.[8, 22, 42]

Overhead view of the sunken brick walkway pulled away from the seawall.
The sunken brick walkway, pulled away from the seawall. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026.
Overhead view of the 9/11 Monument with the collapse reaching the edge of its base.
The collapse reaches the edge of the 9/11 Monument. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026.
Overhead view of the barricaded section of Riverwalk North.
The barricaded section of Riverwalk North from above. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, 2026.
Barricades along the damaged walkway beside the river.
Barricades along the damaged walkway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
Damaged brick pavers behind the barricade at the river's edge.
Damaged pavers behind the barricade. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
Close-up of displaced pavers and standing water behind the seawall cap.
Displaced pavers and standing water behind the seawall cap. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A color guard and attendees gathering at the Never Forget event.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the podium, with a panel seated behind.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the podium in front of flags.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker addressing the audience from the podium.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
Uniformed and civilian guests seated on stage as a speaker talks.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
The stage, panel and audience at the Never Forget event.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the Never Forget podium.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the podium beside the American flag.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the podium during the program.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.
A speaker at the Never Forget podium beside the American flag.
Thank You First Responder “Never Forget” event, Flow Breezeway. Photo: Nathan Stevenson, September 11, 2026.

Select any photo to open a larger version.

Press coverage

In the news

These are the news articles cited in our report. Each headline links to the original article.

Related coverage cited in the report

These articles concern the legal, political and calendar context described in our report.

The decision record

Who decided

This section lists the formal Commission actions on this seawall and directly related matters, as recorded in the City’s Legistar system. It reproduces Table 5 of our report.

Commission actions of record [21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 37, 39, 49, 50, 51]
DateFileActionResultMoved bySeconded by
Aug. 20, 201313-1042Work Order 3, seawall reinforcement, $77,818ApprovedRobertsDuBose
Oct. 18, 201616-0974Condition survey inspection, up to $9,000ApprovedTrantalisMcKinzie
Oct. 17, 201717-1016Report of $83,404 emergency design purchaseInformational; no vote——
Mar. 19, 201919-0070Reject all bids, ITB 12208-493ApprovedMcKinzieSorensen
Dec. 5, 202323-0852HBC design agreement, $682,534.41ApprovedSturmanGlassman
Jan. 9, 202424-0038Waive competitive solicitation, Las Olas Marina seawall, $2,872,583 (Res. 24-13)AdoptedBeasley-Pittmannot recorded
Mar. 19, 202424-0284FIND application, $3,000,000 (Res. 24-61)AdoptedGlassmannot recorded
Mar. 18, 202525-0345FIND application, $4,000,000 (Res. 25-47)AdoptedBeasley-PittmanGlassman
Apr. 1, 202525-0438Walk-on resolution, FIND application, $4,000,000AdoptedGlassmannot recorded
Nov. 4, 202525-0772First retroactive agreement and CO 5, $545,201.33ApprovedSorensenGlassman
Feb. 3, 202626-0029FIND project agreement, $1,032,636 (Res. 26-26)AdoptedSorensennot recorded
Mar. 3, 202626-0225FIND application, $2,967,364 (Res. 26-39)AdoptedSorensennot recorded
Jun. 2, 202626-0540Second retroactive agreement, 240 daysApprovedSorensenGlassman
Sep. 14, 202626-0670FY 2027-2031 CIP (Res. 26-183)AdoptedGlassmannot recorded

This table reproduces Table 5 of our report. Movers and seconders are as recorded in the City’s Legistar system; “not recorded” means Legistar shows no seconder. Vote tallies are not recorded in the Legistar data reviewed and are not reported here.[21]

Officials relevant to the site

This table reproduces Table 6 of our report.

Officials relevant to the site
OfficeOfficeholderVerification note (from the report)Official contact
City Commission District 4Vice Mayor Ben SorensenCity records place the project in District 4.[10, 66, 67]Official page[66]
BSorensen@fortlauderdale.gov · Office 954-828-5028 (from the City’s website, not in the report[W3])
Acting City ManagerChristopher Cooper (since Jul. 3, 2026)Appointed Jul. 2, 2026.[40, 68]city.manager@fortlauderdale.gov (from the City’s website, not in the report[W4])
Broward County Commission District 8Vice Mayor Robert McKinzieOfficeholder verified; county page describes district as including part of downtown.[69]Official page[69]
Florida Senate District 32Sen. Rosalind OsgoodOfficeholder verified; the site’s district assignment was not independently re-verified.[70]Official page[70]
Florida House District 100Rep. Chip LaMarcaFirst elected 2018; under the eight-year limit his House service ends in November 2026. Site assignment not re-verified.[55, 71]Official page[55]
Florida House District 99Rep. Daryl CampbellOfficeholder verified; the earlier edition placed the site near the HD 99 / HD 100 boundary, which was not re-verified.[72]Official page[72]
U.S. HouseUnverifiedA new congressional map signed in May 2026 redrew Broward districts, and Rep. Moskowitz is running in the new District 25. The district containing the site after January 2027 was not verified.[73, 74]Not listed in the report

The November 2025 and June 2026 project memos were issued by City Manager Rickelle Williams, whose separation took effect on July 3, 2026.[10, 41]

Mark your calendar

Upcoming dates

  • City Commission regular meetingThe first meeting named in our first ask.[52]
  • City Commission regular meeting (rescheduled)Rescheduled by resolution on September 2, 2026.[52, 53]
  • City Commission regular meeting[52]
  • City Commission regular meeting (rescheduled)Rescheduled by resolution on September 2, 2026. Our second ask is that the $2,967,364 FIND agreement come to the Commission no later than this date.[52, 53]
  • Design completion deadlineThe current completion date for HBC Engineering’s design under the second retroactive agreement.[33]
  • City Commission regular meeting[52]
  • Florida Legislature's 2027 regular session convenesOur sixth ask is that the City seek a state appropriation before this date.[75, 76]

Meeting dates can change. Agendas are normally published the Thursday evening before each meeting, so please check the City’s meeting calendar before you go.[54, 52] Open the City’s meeting calendar.

What you can do

Take action

A short, polite email from a resident makes a difference. Each button below opens your email app with a letter already written. Please add your name and neighborhood, change anything you like, and send it yourself.

Email Vice Mayor Sorensen

Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen, who represents District 4, where the site is located.[10, 66]

To: BSorensen@fortlauderdale.gov

Open a pre-written email

Read the letter first
Subject: Please act on the Riverwalk North seawall

Dear Vice Mayor Sorensen,

I am writing as a member of the community about the failing Riverwalk North seawall in District 4.

In 2025 and 2026 the City told a state agency that the catwalk may be on the verge of collapse. In August 2026 part of the walkway collapsed and was barricaded, and part of the 9/11 Monument base was removed. Construction is not expected until summer 2027, and the capital plan adds no new money until FY 2030.

I respectfully ask the City to:

1. Assess interim stabilization within 30 days, with emergency procurement if warranted.
2. Move the FY 2030 funds into FY 2027 and bring the $2,967,364 FIND agreement forward by Dec. 2.
3. Allow no further design extensions past Dec. 5, 2026.
4. Publish a written plan for the 9/11 Monument.
5. Publish the inspection reports, permit status, cost basis and monthly updates.
6. Seek 2027 state funding before the session opens on March 2, 2027.

The full report with sources: https://savetheriverwalk.org/save-the-riverwalk-report.pdf

Thank you for your service to our city.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your neighborhood]

Email the whole City Commission

Mayor Dean J. Trantalis and Commissioners John C. Herbst, Steven Glassman, Pamela Beasley-Pittman and Ben Sorensen.

To: dtrantalis@fortlauderdale.gov, JHerbst@fortlauderdale.gov, SGlassman@fortlauderdale.gov, pbeasleypittman@fortlauderdale.gov, BSorensen@fortlauderdale.gov

Open a pre-written email

Read the letter first
Subject: Please act on the Riverwalk North seawall

Dear Mayor Trantalis and Commissioners,

I am writing as a member of the community about the failing Riverwalk North seawall.

In 2025 and 2026 the City told a state agency that the catwalk may be on the verge of collapse. In August 2026 part of the walkway collapsed and was barricaded, and part of the 9/11 Monument base was removed. Construction is not expected until summer 2027, and the capital plan adds no new money until FY 2030.

I respectfully ask the City to:

1. Assess interim stabilization within 30 days, with emergency procurement if warranted.
2. Move the FY 2030 funds into FY 2027 and bring the $2,967,364 FIND agreement forward by Dec. 2.
3. Allow no further design extensions past Dec. 5, 2026.
4. Publish a written plan for the 9/11 Monument.
5. Publish the inspection reports, permit status, cost basis and monthly updates.
6. Seek 2027 state funding before the session opens on March 2, 2027.

The full report with sources: https://savetheriverwalk.org/save-the-riverwalk-report.pdf

Thank you for your service to our city.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your neighborhood]

Email the City Manager's Office

Acting City Manager Christopher Cooper, through the City Manager’s Office.[40]

To: city.manager@fortlauderdale.gov

Open a pre-written email

Read the letter first
Subject: Riverwalk North seawall: request for interim action and public updates

Dear Acting City Manager Cooper,

I am writing as a member of the community about the failing Riverwalk North seawall.

In 2025 and 2026 the City told a state agency that the catwalk may be on the verge of collapse. In August 2026 part of the walkway collapsed and was barricaded, and part of the 9/11 Monument base was removed. Construction is not expected until summer 2027, and the capital plan adds no new money until FY 2030.

I respectfully ask the City to:

1. Assess interim stabilization within 30 days, with emergency procurement if warranted.
2. Move the FY 2030 funds into FY 2027 and bring the $2,967,364 FIND agreement forward by Dec. 2.
3. Allow no further design extensions past Dec. 5, 2026.
4. Publish a written plan for the 9/11 Monument.
5. Publish the inspection reports, permit status, cost basis and monthly updates.
6. Seek 2027 state funding before the session opens on March 2, 2027.

The full report with sources: https://savetheriverwalk.org/save-the-riverwalk-report.pdf

Thank you for your service to our city.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your neighborhood]

The email addresses above are the officials’ official addresses as listed on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s website, checked October 11, 2026. They are not in our report.[W3, W4]

Speak at a Commission meeting

From the City’s website, not from our report

  • Online comment: the City’s eComment link for each conference and regular meeting opens on the City’s website the Thursday evening before the meeting and closes 48 hours before it starts.[W1]
  • In person: anyone who wishes to address the Commission signs up with City Clerk staff at the meeting. When the Mayor recognizes you, go to the podium, name the agenda item, say whether you support it, oppose it or are neutral, and then briefly state your position.[W2]
  • Neighbor Presentations: Fort Lauderdale residents may apply for a three-minute presentation at the first Commission meeting of each month. Applications are due by noon six days before the meeting, by email to dsoloman@fortlauderdale.gov or in person at the City Clerk’s Office, 1 East Broward Blvd., Suite 444. Each speaker may present once per quarter.[W1]
  • Meeting locations have varied, so check the published agenda for the location.[W1]

Read the City’s meeting rules

Contact the campaign

Questions, corrections or photos to share? Write to us at savenewriverwall@mail.grokbot.com. We welcome corrections to the report.

The full record

Download the report

Our report, The Riverwalk North Seawall: Findings, Timeline, and Recommendations (Version 2.0, October 2026), sets out what the public record shows about the seawall’s condition, the City’s decisions, the schedule and budget, and the options that remain. It runs 21 pages, and every factual statement is supported by one of 76 numbered sources.

Download the full report (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Appendix A of the report

Sources

Numbered citations on this page refer to the endnotes of our report, listed here in the same order. All URLs were accessed on October 11, 2026.

  1. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #23-0852 (Dec. 5, 2023). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/fba07b35-e33b-4659-a2ac-acf6238fbe61.docx
  2. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #13-1042 (Aug. 20, 2013). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/4bb711a4-b864-443d-b954-30bd4d2261c1.doc
  3. City of Fort Lauderdale Public Works, Memorandum, 'Emergency Repair to Riverwalk Seawall east of Andrews Avenue' (Mar. 14, 2017), CAM 17-1016 Exhibit 1. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/f91756af-148a-4db2-bf49-d17ccd0103c3.pdf
  4. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #19-0070 (Mar. 19, 2019). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/42b39d52-eea5-4079-9b88-09cd14a7e27c.docx
  5. City of Fort Lauderdale, Grant Pre-Application Form, FIND Waterway Assistance Program FY2025, CAM 25-0345 Exhibit 1. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/4417eb0e-1137-4090-a11b-b805031b50bc.pdf
  6. City of Fort Lauderdale, FIND Waterways Assistance Program FY2026 Application Form, CAM 26-0225 Exhibit 2. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/19e2c260-814c-4ecf-936f-a5df9014beb4.pdf
  7. Ted Scouten, 'Fort Lauderdale's collapsed Riverwalk section barricaded as seawall repairs won't start until 2027,' CBS News Miami, Aug. 12, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/fort-lauderdales-collapsed-riverwalk-section-barricaded-as-seawall-repairs-wont-start-until-2027/
  8. Bri Buckley, 'Fort Lauderdale removed part of its 9/11 memorial base to protect it from seawall damage, weeks before 25th anniversary,' CBS News Miami, Aug. 28, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/fort-lauderdale-911-memorial-seawall-erosion-2026/
  9. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #25-0772 (Nov. 4, 2025). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/0f8b7dfb-9fe7-4221-b16b-6061181c2140.docx
  10. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #26-0540 (Jun. 2, 2026). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/cff74fbf-249b-472d-8f2c-ebf6ec0b8b9a.docx
  11. City of Fort Lauderdale, FIND Waterways Assistance Program FY 2024 Application, Part 2, CAM 24-0284 Exhibit 3. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/8b6d9492-a095-438d-9af3-a48fb981eb63.pdf
  12. City of Fort Lauderdale, FIND Waterways Assistance Program FY2025 Application Form (Project Timeline, Attachment E-4), CAM 25-0345 Exhibit 2. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/abb9c63d-a749-4b45-8519-5af2fc80d908.pdf
  13. Magdala Louissaint, 'Fort Lauderdale plans $12 million fix for Riverwalk woes,' WPLG Local 10, Sep. 28, 2026. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/09/28/fort-lauderdale-plans-12-million-fix-for-riverwalk-woes/
  14. City of Fort Lauderdale, Final FY 2027 - FY 2031 Capital Improvement Plan, CAM 26-0670 Exhibit 1 (P11722 at p. 2). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/71c1e49d-79ff-4990-b205-dbe2aea26e84.pdf
  15. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #26-0029 (Feb. 3, 2026). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/5ce09ed7-c547-47bf-a1c2-d45a05a1c31f.docx
  16. Florida Inland Navigation District, '2026-2027 Assistance Program Applications by County as of 9/24/2026' (awards announcement). https://webgen1files1.revize.com/floridainlandnavdistfl/2026%20WAP%20By%20County%209.24.26%20Awards%20Announcement.pdf
  17. Florida DEP, 2024-2025 Statewide Resilience Plan (Dec. 2023). https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/2024-2025%20Statewide%20Resilience%20Plan-FINAL.pdf
  18. Florida DEP, 2025-2026 Resilient Florida Annual Plan. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/25-26%20Resilient%20Florida%20Annual%20Plan_1.pdf
  19. Florida DEP, Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan, Fiscal Year 2026-27. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/2026-2027%20Statewide%20Flooding%20and%20Sea%20Level%20Rise%20Resilience%20Plan_FINAL.pdf
  20. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar public web API, meeting and agenda-item records, Aug. 1 - Oct. 10, 2026. https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/fortlauderdale/events?$filter=EventDate+ge+datetime'2026-08-01'
  21. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0670, Resolution Adopting the Final FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (adopted Sep. 14, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21660&GUID=4845EC83-722F-4295-AB85-CD8B5CBAD0CE
  22. Marc Gave, 'Remembering September 11th,' The New Pelican, Sep. 7, 2026. https://www.newpelican.com/articles/remembering-september-11th/
  23. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #26-0225 (Mar. 3, 2026). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/623c5f60-0c33-423a-8ceb-e7988cc2a518.docx
  24. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 13-1042, Work Order 3, Riverwalk North Repairs (approved Aug. 20, 2013). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3223&GUID=31D6AB3C-D892-4752-AD83-58DF59AD2EC0
  25. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 16-0974, Condition Survey Inspection of Riverwalk North, Calvin, Giordano & Associates (approved Oct. 18, 2016). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8152&GUID=53628D7C-852E-48F2-A0BA-5B41130BD35C
  26. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #17-1016 (Oct. 17, 2017). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/b9699cd1-b6e8-4086-8532-826c3a791ec9.docx
  27. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 19-0070, Motion to Reject All Bids for Riverwalk Seawall Replacement Northside (approved Mar. 19, 2019). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=11736&GUID=8B6A7AB4-D583-4B76-B732-305A9A5F0878
  28. City of Fort Lauderdale, RFQ 12716-626, Riverwalk North Seawall Replacement Consultant Services (solicitation record), CAM 23-0852 Exhibit 1. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/9b7a3a78-474c-4ef8-8c5a-4688b6b1921b.pdf
  29. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 23-0852, Agreement for Riverwalk North Seawall Replacement Consultant Services, HBC Engineering Company, $682,534.41 (approved Dec. 5, 2023). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=18197&GUID=416CC7A3-6BA3-4C4A-8A53-5E025B0363E4
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  31. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 25-0345, Resolution to Submit FIND Waterway Assistance Program Application, $4,000,000 (adopted Mar. 18, 2025). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=20105&GUID=9D1BB4E3-8C29-4A79-AE06-EFCBA57FFBD9
  32. 'Riverwalk north-side seawall replacement draws concerns from marine industry about floating-dock design and navigation,' Citizen Portal, Jun. 6, 2025. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6211672/florida/broward-county/fort-lauderdale/riverwalk-north-side-seawall-replacement-draws-concerns-from-marine-industry-about-floating-dock-design-and-navigation
  33. City of Fort Lauderdale and HBC Engineering Company, executed Second Retroactive Agreement, CAM 26-0540 attachment. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/76b6e726-cc84-46a2-bdc5-14adfa8eb8d0.pdf
  34. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 25-0772, Retroactive Agreement and Change Order No. 5, HBC Engineering Company, 250-Day Extension and $545,201.33 (approved Nov. 4, 2025). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=20515&GUID=7436211B-4E2A-451A-B2DB-6F70A8437771
  35. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0029, Resolution to Execute FIND Project Agreement BR-FL-25-172, up to $1,032,636 (adopted Feb. 3, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21013&GUID=93F147A5-1A70-48D7-8C1A-AC141E08B38C
  36. David Volz, 'Fort Lauderdale Commission approves various agreements,' South Florida Tribune, Feb. 6, 2026. https://southfloridatribune.com/fort-lauderdale-commission-approves-various-agreements/
  37. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0225, Resolution to Submit FIND Grant Application, up to $2,967,364 (adopted Mar. 3, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21209&GUID=390B5E09-B396-436D-A5F4-6ACF70E29DF9
  38. 'Fort Lauderdale Commission approves major contracts,' South Florida Tribune, Mar. 7, 2026. https://southfloridatribune.com/fort-lauderdale-commission-approves-major-contracts-2/
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  41. 'Fort Lauderdale commission accepts resignation of city manager,' South Florida Tribune, July 2026. https://southfloridatribune.com/fort-lauderdale-commission-accepts-resignation-of-city-manager/
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  44. City of Fort Lauderdale, Resolution, CAM 25-0438 Exhibit 3 (Total Estimated Cost $8,000,000). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/1ee88aad-4895-4d65-9895-9894ab556ecf.pdf
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Additional sources used on this website (not in the report)

These pages were used only for official contact details and public comment rules, and are cited as W1 to W4.