September 1, 2020
The past year of construction on The Residences at Equality Park has flown by and we are SO excited to see the new paved parking spots and driveway being installed. Our CEO, Robert Boo, and our Facilities Facilities and Technology Manager, Paul Ward, snapped these photos today that show the fantastic progress that is being made every day! 🚧🏗️🚧
This new paved access will give smoother, safer, more welcoming access to visitors, clients and community members when we re-open on-site services at The Pride Center to the public.
August 27, 2020
I am passing along the schedule for the laying of the asphalt work for the Equality Park campus. Please pass this along to the appropriate people:
Monday the crew will be saw cutting and compacting all the drainage trenches in the existing asphalt areas. East of the playground, south of the unwanted metal building, in front of the gym and East retention pond area.
Tuesday the asphalt crew will be milling the old asphalt to the north of your playground from the new building to your dumpster Incloser. Once all the milling and clean up is done they will begin laying down new asphalt in that area mentioned above. Then they will continue asphalt in the drainage trenches working there way to the new drive and parking. If there is any time left in the day they will start on the parking space parallel to the drive that exits to Dixie Highway.
Wednesday they will continue with the parking spaces parallel and on each side of the drive. Once those spaces are all done they will do one lane of the drive at a time. During the last lane they will be working their way with all the equipment towards Dixie Highway and out of the project.
During this entire process the contractor will have 2 flag men posted when needed directing traffic safely around the asphalt crew and in and out of the property. We will also maintain one lane of traffic open to Dixie Highway at all times.
This is the best schedule I can provide at this time. Please note that there will be many moving parts during these three days and things may change due unforeseen circumstances. The work from Monday may bleed into Tuesday, or the work scheduld Tuesday could bleed into Wednesday as well. We will always do our best to be as flexible and unobtrusive as possible to your patrons and business on the property.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate contacting me.
Thanks,
Robert
August 19, 2020
Hi Everyone
Weather permitting, they will start laying down asphalt on Saturday. They plan to start only on the inner drive and parking in front of the Schubert Building and The Residences. If coming onto the campus over the weekend just be on the lookout for large equipment moving around.
Friday I will be sending out an updated timeline for the rest of the campus for next week.
Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.
Robert
August 3, 2020
Image credit: Residences renderings – Behar Font & Partners, P. A.
Portrait of Steven Teller – David Lawrence / @iamdavidlawrence
The Pride Center and ArtServe have selected Fort Lauderdale native and talented artist Steven Teller to create the design for a nearly 3,000-sq.-ft. mural that will enliven the walls of The Pride Center and The Residences at Equality Park in Wilton Manors. As one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ community centers, The Pride Center’s five-and-a-half-acre Equality Park campus will be home to The Residences at Equality Park, Florida’s very first affordable housing community with customized support services for LGBTQ+ seniors. Highly visible from Dixie Highway, a busy urban corridor in the heart of Broward, these murals will transform the Equality Park campus into a vibrant public art destination.
Teller’s application and submission ranked highest among more than 90 artists who competed for selection by the ArtServe-coordinated jury. Criteria included a statement of artistic vision, a demonstration of technical skill, creativity and relevance of design, and overall impression of the artist and their work.
Support for The Murals at Equality Park project has been provided by the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward:
Brogan Family Fund
Frederick W. Jaqua Fund
Helen A. Chadwick Fund
Elizabeth Ryan Fund
Learn more about this exciting project here.
June 8th, 2020
Tomorrow — June 9th — will begin the removal of the existing asphalt on the main parking road and everywhere else that we will be installing new asphalt. As of now the new asphalt is scheduled for June 16th, weather permitting. The main entrance will have one lane of traffic blocked off periodically throughout the day Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. The contractor will have a flag man posted to keep traffic flowing in and out through the open lane as needed.
Please pass along this information to your employees, volunteers and clients.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Robert
February 19th, 2020
Hi everyone,
The paving of the north parking lot and on the east side of the playground has been delayed for two more weeks. Both areas are now open for parking.
I will keep you informed of any further changes.
Thank you,
Robert
February 18th, 2020
Hi everyone,
Starting tomorrow morning the north parking lot will be closed off to all vehicle and foot traffic. The parking spots along the east side of the playground will also be closed off. One way vehicular traffic will still be able to go all the way around Building B in the current counter clockwise direction. The big trash container will be moved to the same temporary location as before by the “No Parking” sign in front of SoFIA. Temporary handicap parking will be designated with signage since the current parking in the north parking lot will be closed off.
The contractor’s plan is to be able to open back up these affected areas sometime over the weekend after the new asphalt has been laid down and cured.
Please pass along this information to your employees, volunteers and clients.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you
Robert
February 13th, 2020
Hi everyone,
On Wednesday, February 19, the parking lot on the north side of the Schubert Building and the parking spots between the playground and Building B will be closed. The subcontractor will be laying down asphalt in both locations. They project to be able to lay the asphalt on Wednesday but it will take several days to cure thus requiring both locations to remain closed for the rest of the week.
We will be relocating the handicap parking spots which exist in the north parking lot to a temporary location. Signage will be provided to designate the temporary handicap parking spots. Our trash container will also be relocated to a temporary location.
Please pass along this information to your staff, volunteers and clients.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you
Robert
October 25th, 2019 – Reminder about Important construction update impacting Equality Park Campus on Saturday, October 26
Hi everyone,
I am sending out this reminder about the entrance closure of the Equality Park campus to automobiles on Saturday, October 26th. Pedestrian access will remain. Parking will be allowed at Poverello next door.
Because we appreciate everything that Poverello does with The Pride Center and for the community, please stop in their Resale Shop and support them by making a purchase. They have a food bank and provide desperately needed services to our community.
Thank you
Robert
October 23rd, 2019
Hi everyone,
This Saturday, October 26th, the entrance to the Equality Park Campus will be closed to automobile traffic. The General Contractor has to complete work in the middle of the driveway as you enter the campus. Therefore, all cars are being directed to park at Poverello. They have graciously agreed to open up their back parking lot at 8:00 AM. We will have signs directing traffic towards Poverello. You can then walk onto our campus via the pedestrian gates that are located on the north side of the Schubert Building. To ensure that there are no cars parked past the entrance we will be closing our driveway Friday night after Congregation Etz Chaim completes their service. Any cars on the campus when construction starts will have to remain until the entrance is opened back up!!
There will be a pedestrian access from Dixie Highway along the south side of the entrance going around the work being completed. Orange safety cones and yellow tape will be set up by the General Contractor allowing foot traffic in and out of the campus and to ensure you are walking in a safe location.
Work is expected to last all day Saturday and at this time we do NOT expect it to impact traffic on Sunday. If for whatever reason that changes, I will be sending out an update Saturday afternoon. I have attached to this email a diagram of the campus showing the three pedestrian access points.
I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Please inform your employees, volunteers and clients so that Saturday can go as smoothly as possible.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Robert
October 17th, 2019
Hi everyone,
The trenching work in the courtyard started today (as everyone in Building B realized when the water was interrupted today) and will continue through next Wednesday. Currently the work is being completed behind the fencing around the grassy section of the courtyard. But Monday, the trenching will require us to close the walkway from the Schubert entrance leading south to the drive. That means pedestrian access into the Schubert Building will be directed into the back door or the paver walkway that goes along the entire south wall of the Schubert Building in front of the pavilion.
I have attached a photo and highlighted the pedestrian access in red.
Please share this with your staff, volunteers and clients as anyone parking in the surface parking along the drive will have to walk around the cell tower fence to access the Schubert Building during these three days. Of course if anything changes during the trenching work I will keep you informed. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you
Robert
October 9th, 2019
Hi everyone,
Due to the weather there have been several changes to the schedule that is impacting the trenching work on the campus:
1. Planning/schedule shifted this week due to weather. Trenching and water drain replacement plan is: Finish #11 which is located by the cell tower fence…then shifting to #18 (close to river)…then #12 and #13 (near gym).
2. Will be spreading more gravel trying to help with muddy area/grass today
3. MOT-reroute–Traffic issue—crosswalk issue near Poverello. Visibility issue for cars coming out of Poverello and can’t see. Shell contractor put flagger today. As long as scaffolding is there…need flagman.
The forecast this week is continued afternoon rains. Will keep you updated as we go along. Please let me know if you have any questions as we work through these opportunities.
Thank you
Robert
October 3rd, 2019
We had our construction meeting this week but this news is just in!!!
1. On Friday, October 4th the drainage structure installation will occur at the south end of the telecommunications antenna. This is located at the corner of the fence and where we have a STOP sign located.
2. Additionally tomorrow the drainage structure close to the river will also be dug up and replaced.
3. On Saturday, October 5th the drainage structure in front of Challenge Fitness will be dug up and replaced. Parking will be restricted so please let your members know ahead of time if possible.
Notice for next week’s work:
1. On Thursday, October 10th, the drainage structure at the entrance of Equality Park will finally be replaced. Traffic coming into and out of the campus will be redirected into the grassy area south of the entrance. Flaggers will be there to help direct traffic.
2. The sidewalk along Dixie Highway in front of the Equality Park campus will be closed for approximately the next 3 months. Foot traffic will be redirected across the street. People going back and forth between The Pride Center and Poverello can still use the pedestrian gate located near our storage garage and across from Poverello’s Administrative office entrance.
Please pass this information on to your staff, volunteers and clients.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.
Robert
September 27th, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Hi everyone,
So the work on the storm drain at the entrance to Equality Park (see below) did not occur this week as the GC had hoped. The huge drain did not arrive. The new target date is Monday, provided they receive the drain this afternoon or over the weekend. We will have to play this by ear. If the part arrives on Monday they know they can’t do the install on Tuesday due to the heavy traffic of Coffee & Conversation.
I also realize that Monday is Rosh Hashanah so hopefully the impact will be minimal should they start work on Monday.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding. This is the construction world that we are in and we are at the mercy of the many moving parts and pieces.
September 25, 2019
Hi everyone,First, thank you to everyone for your cooperation and patience over the past week or two with the closing down of the north parking lot between the Schubert Building and Poverello and during the trenching between the playground and Building B. I know it required many of your staff, clients and volunteers to maneuver around the campus in some challenging ways.
So after our meeting yesterday here are some additional impacts that you will see:
1. The general contractor is targeting to start work Thursday morning at 8:00 AM on the storm drain that is located at the entrance of the Equality Park campus. This work is expected to last all day and will require traffic flow to be redirected into the grassy area on the south side (Middle River) of the campus. The GC will be providing flaggers to help direct traffic and ensure cars entering and exiting the campus are doing so safely. The GC is waiting to receive confirmation of delivery of the new storm water drain. If the delivery does not occur today then this work will be pushed back onto Friday. I will send out a notice if the work is moved to Friday.
2. The north parking lot (between Schubert Building and Poverello) is targeted to open back up by the end of business on Friday which will open back up the handicap parking spots that are located in that lot.
3. We apologize for the inconvenience over the past several days when the water to Building B was disrupted. As they dig they continue to find water and electrical lines that were not clearly identified on the old plans. Thank you for all of your patience. In the future we will continue to communicate and give you any alerts.
4. I would also like to remind everyone that on Saturday, October 19 is our Active Aging Health Expo. Aside from all of the vendors, we expect to have over 600 people pass through the doors for this annual event. We have communicated this date to the GC so that their staff and subcontractors can park either at Hagen Park or inside the construction zone. I give this reminder to all of you so that you are fully aware of the activity going on that day. The Expo is open to the public from 10:00 – 2:00. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
It is amazing to see the progress of The Residences and you can actually see the shell of the building taking shape.
Please let me know if you have any questions and again, thank you for working together on this desperately needed resource to our community.
Robert
September 17th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
We learned this afternoon that trenching between the Schubert Building and Building B will begin this Thursday. This is the Section 2 that Robert Boo previously referenced in email to you. Because this will require shutting down vehicular traffic-flow between the buildings, we will have to shut off parking and vehicular traffic around the back (East) side and the North side of Building B beginning Thursday morning. Jaxi will place a temporary fence blocking off vehicular traffic to the back of the building first thing Thursday morning.Their intent (at this point) is to re-open vehicular traffic on Friday (barring any unforeseen circumstances or bad weather.)
Physical pedestrian entrances for the building should remain open during this time.
Clients, customers, parishioners, staff and volunteers will need to park in other parts of campus on Thursday and until traffic is reopened on Friday.
We’re sorry for the inconveniences this may cause. We truly appreciate your ongoing flexibility and patience.
Some good news: they let us know today that once they reopen traffic, they should be able to reopen the parking on the North side of the Schubert Building. So we have a couple days of pain…and then the return of needed parking. Hoorah!
September 10th, 2019 at 5:29PM
August 28, 2019 at 11:21AM
- Concrete trucks will be getting into the construction site through the North gate, starting at 11:30AM today. We are expecting no more than 6 trucks.
Robert
August 9, 2019 at 1:16PM
- Today and tomorrow, they are digging up the sewer line which exists under a portion of the main drive leading from Dixie Highway back to all buildings behind the Schubert Building. The location of the digging is directly in front of the construction entrance to The Residences on our driveway. Traffic flow is being redirected around the digging that is going on.
- The temporary entrance to the Schubert Building which is located on the south side of the building will be blocked off Saturday, Sunday, Monday and POSSIBLY Tuesday. All foot traffic will be redirected to the ADA entrance at the back of the Schubert Building. We ask people to not cut across the playground to get to this entrance. In fact, the gate on the south side of the playground will be padlocked. Foot traffic will be redirected outside of the playground fence on the pavement to the gate located on the north side (Poverello side) of the playground. The reason that we are redirecting foot traffic outside of the playground is because the mulch in the playground is soft and not optimal for high heels, people with canes or walkers, etc.
- Vibro replacement will start on Monday, August 12th and will continue through Saturday, 17th and then again on Monday – Saturday, August 19 – 24. What this means is there will be periods of time when the ground will be vibrating. The closer you are located to the construction site the more vibration you will feel. This is very common when digging and installing the foundation pilings.
Upcoming activity in the timeline:
- Trenching will occur all around the Schubert Building. It is estimated to start on August 19th and the first location is the north side of the Schubert Building which will require us to close off that portion of the parking lot. More information to come as we get closer. The second section will be the drive between the playground and Building B and the last section will be in the Courtyard.
- The official groundbreaking ceremony will occur on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:00 AM. Invitations will be sent out with more details but hold that date and time in your calendars.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we work through all of the logistics of creating this desperately needed service to our community.
Robert
July 30, 2019 at 10:57AM
See sketch showing an area of the Campus usually used as a parking space, we will be blocking that area tomorrow, July 31st 2019 since very early in the morning (6:45AM). Due a tree relocation that we need to do to clear the footprint of the building. Please advise, yellow tape and cones will be used to mark and block that area maybe starting today afternoon.
Robert
June 27, 2019 at 3:45PM
- We will lose access to the front parking lot in front of the Schubert Building after this Sunday, June 30.
- The handicap parking spots have been relocated to the north side of the Schubert Building by the new ADA entrance located within the playground.
- The new temporary entrance to the front lobby of the Schubert Building will be located on the south side of the building located at the west end of the courtyard. We are replacing the solid metal door with a door that has impact resistant window. This entrance will start to be used on Monday, July 1.
Thank you for passing this information along to your staff, volunteers and clients. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Robert
June 26, 2019 at 10:57AM
As you can see, the construction fencing started going up this morning. We will have access to the front parking for a limited number of days until this gate will only be used by JAXI construction. Temporary fencing is also going up along the campus that will be moved around as they start the trenching process for the storm water system modifications. This will affect many of the parking spots that you may be used to using. This trenching process will take 4 – 6 weeks. After our weekly meeting tomorrow morning I will forward along any news to you. The south entrance to the Schubert Building will be readied to be the temporary entrance into the front of the Schubert Building. A new walkway will be installed going directly south along the construction fencing. The pavers in the now closed ADA walkway from Dixie Highway to the Schubert Building will be re-purposed for the temporary entrance.
My expectation is that each of you will be responsible for passing along these updates to your staff, boards, volunteers and clients.As always, please feel free to reach out to me as we move along this journey.Thank you
Robert
