Hollywood Beach Theater - - And Park
Ever since I was a kid, I've been going to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk - - and enjoying its community and sense of place.
Remarkable job on the new HB . . .
Strummin my six-string . . .
Doing public good by being green . . .
As you can see, much effort has been made to improve the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, updating it with parks and plantings so that there are places along the way to enjoy native Florida.
A New Park Revealed?
So when I saw this sign (below), I thought there would be more green space coming, as a Hollywood Beach Theater Park.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Some Background
In December 2007, the Hollywood Beach CRA Master Plan provided principles to guide future development, so as to preserve the character and scale of Hollywood Beach. According to this Master Plan, "The public promenade and beach-side restaurants, hotels and shops have established the unique atmosphere of Hollywood beach."
ALSO keep in mind that, "the existing Historic Preservation Board and the City Commission currently review and approve development applications, and that by June 2007, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk was designated an Historic Overlay District.
AND NOW . . .
The City of Hollywood is working on a mega giant amusement center for Johnson Street.
"This will change the whole idea of Hollywood Beach is. Nobody is buying anything, anyway. The buildings are empty. And there's not enough parking as it is," commented local resident of the beach for more than thirty years.
According to a land use specialist, "The developers are putting up this idea as an image for you to believe in. Hollywood Beach Boardwalk is already a destination place. The big resort is coming in to make money, and will only give a token back in return. These mega giants will out compete and undercut existing retail, forcing them to sell out, and runaway rampant development will continue."
"Don't be misled, it's a full service resort and entertainment center. It's not for the public good. It's a giveaway to big business interests."
Proposed - Planet Hollywood (From RFP)
proposed Margaritaville - Building Plan
But What If Green Dreams Could Come True?
What if the City of Hollywood turned the parcel into a state parkland and thus set aside more open space for conservation? It's municipal land, zoned GU, which means for government use, for the benefit good of the people, right? Or should government be in the business with private corporations?
What's Next
Monday, March 15, 2010 beginning at 6:00pm, City Hall Room 219 a Community Forum for Developers to share Proposals with the community, allowing for questions and answers.
A Question To Ask
Has the Historic Preservation Board reviewed and approved the development application?
Mar 4, 2010 Print Article 
Reader Comments (5)
Great concept, but it will never fly on Hollywood Beach. Here it is always all about money, tourism, employment. Yes, they do have a lot of nice "green space" already set aside, but it is slowly being gobble up a little bit at a time as the greedy find legal loopholes to pave over the green space. The question in truth is not about building or not building, the question is Planet Hollywood or Maggyritaville, and the answer is who puts enough money under the table to the right people... Sad, and I hope I am wrong, but I know the "leadership" here all too well, and the good guys and gals are a shrinking minority if not the proverbial dying breed. We locals only hope that they go with laid back down to earth Maggyville and not the glitzy ritzy Planet Howood - anyone with any common sense would, but the leadership here also seems to be becoming decreasingly devoid of that also... So, just relax, enjoy, check out the URL to the "Lifes a Coas"t website if you would like to see hundreds of videos of Hollywood Beach...
By the way, that bottom picture has sparked some controversy by locals. Most think it is from South Beach in Miami, and one is certain that it is the Green Street Cafe in Coconut Grove, no one recognizes it as Hollywood Beach. Are we somehow mistaken???
I grew up in South Florida, and have always loved Hollywood Beach. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
wow nice place..
Nice paradise!