Take action
The Riverwalk belongs to all of us. Help bring it back.
Part of the Riverwalk North walkway has collapsed and is fenced off, and part of the 9/11 Monument’s base is in storage. Repairs aren’t expected to start until summer 2027. Here are four ways you can help move that date closer.
The stretch of Riverwalk between Andrews Avenue and the train bridge is part of daily life downtown. People walk it, run it, and stop there to remember on September 11. It’s also more than a path. In its March 2026 grant application, the City wrote that this seawall “retains the subbase for the entire Riverwalk north business area,” so if the wall fails, neighboring businesses are affected too.[6]
The City has documented the wall’s decline in its own records for more than a decade.[1] In 2025 and again in 2026, it told a state agency that the catwalk “may be on the verge of collapse.”[5, 6] By August 12, 2026, part of the walkway had collapsed.[7] For the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Thank You First Responder Organization moved its Never Forget event off the monument grounds and into the Flow Breezeway next door, because organizers considered the grounds too unsafe.[8, 42]
We aren’t asking anyone to take our word for it. Our report cites a public record for every finding. What we’re asking is that the City act on what its own records already say.
Action 1
Add your name.
The petition “Real Change for the Riverwalk” asks the City to act on the six recommendations in our report. It takes about a minute. Your comment, if you choose to leave one, helps show leaders why this stretch of the river matters to you.
Action 2
Be in the room when decisions are made.
The City Commission decides the budget, the contracts and the schedule for this project. Our first ask names the October 20 and November 6 meetings, and our second asks that the $2,967,364 FIND agreement come before the Commission no later than December 2.[52, 53] You can speak in person, comment online, or simply attend, which also counts.
Later regular meetings: Friday, November 6 (rescheduled); Tuesday, November 17; Wednesday, December 2 (rescheduled); and Tuesday, December 15, 2026.[52, 53] Meetings typically start at 6:00 PM, and locations are set on the City calendar, so check before you go.
All dates and how to take part · Add all five meetings to your calendar
Action 3
Email the City.
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
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]
No email app? Copy the text and use the official page: Vice Mayor Sorensen’s page.
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
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]
No email app? Copy the text and use the City Commission page.[W3]
Email the City Manager's Office
Acting City Manager Christopher Cooper, through the City Manager’s Office.[40]
To: city.manager@fortlauderdale.gov
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]
No email app? Copy the text and use the City Manager’s Office page.[W4]
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]
And more
Lend a hand.
This campaign is run by neighbors, and there’s room for more. If you can help, email riva@savetheriverwalk.org and tell us a little about yourself.
Have you seen a change at the site, or found something in our report that needs fixing? We welcome corrections and photos at the same address.
Want to speak at a meeting? See how public comment works.
Messages to riva@savetheriverwalk.org are answered by Riva. Riva is an AI spokesperson for Save the Riverwalk.