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The report

The Riverwalk North Seawall: Findings, Timeline, and Recommendations

Version 2.0 · October 2026 · Prepared by Save the Riverwalk · 21 pages, 76 numbered sources.

Download the full report (PDF, 1.9 MB)

About the report

Our report 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 is intended for residents, members of the City Commission, City staff, and other public officials. Every factual statement is supported by one of 76 numbered sources, listed below.

This edition was rebuilt in October 2026 after the working files of the earlier edition were lost. Every factual statement was checked against a primary source where one was available. Quotations are reproduced as they appear in the source, including original spelling.

The review has limits. Legistar records do not include vote tallies in the data reviewed, and some motions show no seconder. The review of 2026 meetings covered agenda titles, not public comment or video. The City’s inspection reports, the HBC design documents, and the Corps of Engineers permit file were not available. District assignments for state and federal offices were not independently re-verified with official address lookups.

The report was prepared by Save the Riverwalk, a community campaign, and it reflects that perspective in its recommendations. The findings themselves are limited to what the cited records show. Corrections are welcome at riva@savetheriverwalk.org. Riva is an AI spokesperson for Save the Riverwalk.

Findings

  1. The City has documented progressive deterioration of this seawall and catwalk since at least 2013, including a structural-deficiency finding in 2019 and a determination in December 2023 that the section required immediate replacement.[1, 2, 4]
  2. In March 2025 and again in March 2026, the City represented to a state grant agency that the catwalk had lost all its reinforcement and might be on the verge of collapse. A portion of the walkway collapsed and was barricaded by August 12, 2026.[5, 6, 7]
  3. The design contract has lapsed twice and been revived twice by retroactive agreement. Its value has risen by about 80 percent, to $1,227,735.74, and its completion date has moved two years, to December 5, 2026.[10, 33]
  4. The projected end of construction has moved from January 2026 to December 2027 in the City’s own filings, and the most recent statement implies completion no earlier than summer 2028. The cost estimate has risen from about $8 million to $12 million.[6, 11, 12, 13]
  5. The adopted capital plan provides no new funds for the project until FY 2030, while the City’s stated construction start falls in FY 2027 and the two FIND awards require $4 million in local match.[14, 16]
  6. The project has not appeared in any Resilient Florida statewide plan for 2024 through 2027.[17, 18, 19]
  7. City records describe the new wall’s alignment inconsistently, as waterward in three memos and landward in one.[1, 15]
  8. Part of the base of the 9/11 Monument has been removed and stored, and no reinstallation date has been published.[8]
  9. No Commission agenda item addressed the seawall between August 18 and October 6, 2026, apart from adoption of the capital plan.[20]

Recommendations

  1. Assess interim stabilization within 30 days, at the October 20 or November 6 meeting, with emergency procurement if the assessment supports it.
  2. Move the money forward. Shift the $7,983,841 programmed for FY 2030 into FY 2027, and bring the $2,967,364 FIND agreement and its match to the Commission by December 2, 2026.
  3. No further design extensions. Hold the December 5, 2026 completion date, publish a construction schedule, and advertise the construction bid in early 2027.
  4. Publish a written plan for the 9/11 Monument, covering storage, how the monument will be honored in the meantime, and a target date for reinstalling the base.
  5. Publish the record: the inspection reports, any post-collapse assessment, the Army Corps permit status, the basis for the $12 million estimate, and monthly updates.
  6. Seek state and federal help. Request a 2027 state appropriation before the session convenes on March 2, 2027, and raise the project with the member of Congress who represents the site from January 2027.

Read each recommendation with its evidence.

Appendix A of the report

Sources

Numbered citations on this site 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://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
  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
  30. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 24-0284, Resolution to Submit FIND Waterways Assistance Program Application, $3,000,000 (adopted Mar. 19, 2024). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=18854&GUID=A0840E21-4695-4791-805F-BB5AC945B818
  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/
  39. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0540, Second Retroactive Agreement, HBC Engineering Company, 240-Day Extension (approved Jun. 2, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21530&GUID=36E132DE-06DE-4A22-9FCC-FFF90FF4CDD2
  40. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0700, Resolution Appointing Christopher 'Chris' Cooper as Acting City Manager (adopted Jul. 2, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=6A74CDC4-F34E-4E42-BAE3-82E6622FCC24&ID=8127637
  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/
  42. Thank You First Responder Organization, press release, '25th Anniversary 9/11 Never Forget Event' (Sep. 2, 2026). https://thankyoufirstresponder.org/updates/press-release/thank-you-first-responder-hosts-community-for-25th-anniversary-9-11-event/
  43. City of Fort Lauderdale, P11722 Change Order Summary (Nos. 1-4), CAM 25-0772 Exhibit 3. https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/227f667b-08bc-4653-be84-558cf7b6d793.pdf
  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
  45. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0205, FIND Check Presentation, Riverwalk Upland North Project, $1,032,636 (presented Feb. 17, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21189&GUID=2169D6F2-8B78-433A-87AA-B89DEA08CF4F
  46. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 'Resilient Florida Program Applicants' (last modified Sep. 15, 2026). https://floridadep.gov/rcp/resilient-florida-program/content/resilient-florida-program-applicants
  47. FEMA, 'Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities' program page (FY 2024-25 NOFO deadline July 23, 2026). https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities
  48. Broward County, 'Resilient Broward Grant Program'. https://www.resilientbroward.com/resilient-broward-grant-program
  49. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 17-1016, Emergency Purchase, Riverwalk Seawall Emergency Design, $83,404. https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=9776&GUID=621DBD46-3581-4DB9-971E-001DDB19A637
  50. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 24-0038, Resolution Waiving Competitive Solicitation, Seawall Improvements, Las Olas Marina Project, $2,872,583 (adopted Jan. 9, 2024). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=18608&GUID=4B84C68B-2363-4106-86B1-9FA25CDA569E
  51. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 25-0438, Walk-On Resolution, FIND Grant Application, $4,000,000 (adopted Apr. 1, 2025). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=20198&GUID=F0BB28A8-8C4E-4A78-99EC-ED324C2E17F8
  52. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar, City Commission Regular Meeting calendar. https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?GUID=B1228CB4-7E41-4342-B89D-43DC4C48AC96&ID=18719
  53. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 26-0834, Resolution Rescheduling the November 3 and December 1, 2026 Meetings (adopted Sep. 2, 2026). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=B837CC4C-3332-4594-AEA0-038E302E7834&ID=8193794
  54. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Meeting Agenda Information. https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Government/City-Commission-Meetings/Commission-Meeting-Agenda-Information
  55. Florida House of Representatives, 'Chip LaMarca' member profile (District 100). https://flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4722
  56. City of Fort Lauderdale, Legistar File 25-0406, Outdoor Event Agreement with Thank You First Responder, Inc., 911 Never Forget Event, Sep. 11, 2025, at the Riverwalk 911 Memorial (approved Jun. 3, 2025). https://fortlauderdale.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=20166&GUID=051C9A8B-6A2D-489C-BBFB-A50FEE442709
  57. Florida Statutes, Section 255.20 (2026), Local bids and contracts for public construction works. https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/255.20
  58. City of Fort Lauderdale, Commission Agenda Memo #24-0038 (Jan. 9, 2024). https://legistar.granicus.com/FortLauderdale/attachments/5c17576b-6aca-4ade-b940-b21e9299feb3.docx
  59. City of Miami, Bayfront Park Management Trust, notice of public hearing for Oct. 14, 2026 (emergency finding under ss. 287.055(3)(a)1. and 255.20(1)(c)1., F.S.). https://floridapublicnotices.com/notices/11702771
  60. City of Miami Procurement, RFQ 25-26-010, 'Emergency Procurement for the Replacement of Unsafe Waterfront Structures' (Bayfront Park), BidNet Direct. https://www.bidnetdirect.com/florida/cityofmiami/solicitations/Emergency-Procurement-for-the-Replacement-of-Unsafe-Waterfront-Structures/0000402685
  61. City of Miami Beach, Resolution certifying a valid public emergency and waiving competitive bidding, Indian Creek Drive/SR A1A Flooding Mitigation Project (April 2017). https://miamibeach.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/AttachmentViewer.ashx?AttachmentID=8468&ItemID=3487
  62. Joey Flechas, 'Report details mistakes in Miami Beach flood-control project,' Miami Herald. https://web.archive.org/web/20221116163041/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article268202532.html
  63. Jim Ash, 'Governor vetoes sovereign immunity overhaul, cites litigation concerns,' The Florida Bar News, Jul. 2, 2026. https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/governor-vetoes-sovereign-immunity-overhaul-cites-litigation-concerns/
  64. Florida Senate, House Bill 145 (2026), Claims Against the Government, bill history. https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/145
  65. City of St. Petersburg v. Collom, 419 So. 2d 1082 (Fla. 1982). https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1982/61016-0.html
  66. City of Fort Lauderdale, 'Commissioner Ben Sorensen - District 4'. https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/government/city-commission/commissioner-ben-sorensen
  67. City of Fort Lauderdale, 'Vice Mayor/Commissioner Sorensen's Newsletters'. https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/government/city-commission/commissioner-ben-sorensen/connect-with-district-4
  68. Carlton Gillespie, 'Fort Lauderdale city manager steps down after 15 months on the job,' WLRN, Jul. 8, 2026. https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-07-08/fort-lauderdale-city-manager-rickelle-williams
  69. Broward County, 'District 8 - Vice Mayor Robert McKinzie'. https://www.broward.org/district8
  70. The Florida Senate, 'Senator Osgood' (District 32). https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s32
  71. Constitution of the State of Florida, Article VI, Section 4 (term limits). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution#A6S04
  72. Florida House of Representatives, 'Daryl Campbell' member profile (District 99). https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/custom/details.aspx?MemberId=4843
  73. Gray Rohrer and Ana Goñi-Lessan, 'Breaking down the changes in Florida's new Congressional districts,' News Service of Florida via NBC 6, May 5, 2026. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/breaking-down-the-changes-in-floridas-new-congressional-districts/3805417/
  74. Carlton Gillespie, 'Congressman Moskowitz pivots to FL-25 seat after DeSantis shuffles redistricting map,' WLRN, May 6, 2026. https://www.wlrn.org/light/government-politics/2026-05-06/congressman-moskowitz-pivots-to-fl-25-seat-after-desantis-shuffles-redistricting-map
  75. 'Florida Lawmakers Set the 2027 Session Calendar With Committee Weeks Starting in November,' The Florida Press, Aug. 31, 2026. https://www.thefloridapress.com/news/florida-lawmakers-set-the-2027-session-calendar-with-committee-weeks-starting-in
  76. Stateside Associates, '2027 State Legislative Session Dates'. https://www.stateside.com/sites/default/files/2026-09/session-dates-2027-letter-landscape.pdf

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.

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