Sailboat Bend Historic District Interpretive Signs and Walking Tour

Visit the Sailboat Bend Historic District to Step Into History and learn more about this unique neighborhood by going on a walking tour following the stops marked on the map.  Click below to view the walking tour application that provides additional information for each stop.

Sailboat Bend Vision Plan

In November 2023, the Historic Preservation Board sent a Communication to the City Commission to consider a revitalization plan to bridge Sailboat Bend, one of Fort Lauderdale’s historic neighborhoods, and the Himmarshee (H-1) Historic District, including a request to provide initial funding. This communication was discussed at the January 2024, City Commission Conference meeting and the Sailboat Bend Vision Plan was added as a new City Commission Action Item.   

In January 2024, Commissioner Glassman met with the newly formed Sailboat Bend Master Plan Committee and staff to review the committee’s request to fund a master plan initiative for the Sailboat Bend Historic District. In April 2024, a budget amendment was approved to provide $25,000 to complete a Vision Plan that would inform a future Master Plan initiative and a request for proposals was sent out to qualified consultants to obtain bids to complete the Vision Plan. A qualified consultant was selected, a contract was finalized, and an initial kick-off meeting with staff and the consultant was held in August 2024. 

The consultant, in collaboration with city staff, completed the Sailboat Bend Vision Plan, which addresses the following elements:  

• Key neighborhood improvements. 
• Opportunities to activate the public realm and improve streetscape design. 
• Improved access to important historic sites and structures within the area. 
• Stronger connections between Sailboat Bend and nearby neighborhoods and attractions to build a more integrated community experience.
• Activating local parks while carefully preserving the area’s unique historic character. 
• Balancing new construction and infrastructure improvements with respect for the neighborhood’s cultural heritage.

On October 22, 2024, an open house was held at the New River Inn and Fort Lauderdale History Museum to present the scope of the project and gain stakeholder input. As a follow-up to the open house event, an online survey was conducted to gain additional feedback for those who were not able to attend the open house and to assist the consultant in prioritizing elements within the vision plan.

Within the Sailboat Bend Vision Plan Summary Report (pages 46-48) is an outline of the next steps with recommended initiatives and timelines for implementation. This implementation framework is intended as a tool to assist the City Commission with prioritizing potential projects and associated funding to help implement the Sailboat Bend Vision Plan recommendations. 

View the draft Sailboat Bend Vision Plan Report here.

Sailboat Bend Architectural Resource Survey

On July 10, 2018, the City Commission asked for recommendations regarding potential amendments to the City’s historic preservation ordinance. In response, staff outlined a three-phased approach to amend the historic preservation ordinance and identify potential incentives to enhance historic preservation efforts.

As part of Phase Three of the above effort, an updated Architectural Resource Survey of the Sailboat Bend Historic District (SBHD) was conducted by subject matter experts whom meet the Secretary of the Interior’s qualifications for professionals in historic preservation to identify any changes that have occurred within the district since the previous survey was performed in 2009. The SBHD was designated as a Historic District by the City Commission in 1992 under Ordinance No. C-92-49. In approving the SBHD, the City Commission found that the application and documentation submitted, which included the SBHD Study, met the criteria for its designation as a historic district.

As part of this survey, a total of 458 properties were surveyed with 178 identified as contributing, 279 identified as non-contributing, and 51 that are either vacant lots, parking lots, or park. It is typical to reassess historic districts periodically, usually every ten years, to maintain an inventory of designated historic resources. That reassessment is a requirement through the designation of the City as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the State of Florida.

To implement the findings of this resurvey, the following objectives were set forth:

• Assign a “Contributing” or “Non-Contributing” status to all structures within the SBHD; and
• Amend Section 47-17, SBHD, of the ULDR so that it is consistent with the changes to the “Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness” review process set forth in Section 47-24.11, of the ULDR; and
• To update the “Material and design guidelines” in Section 47-17, SBHD, of the ULDR.

The Historic Preservation Board reviewed the proposed resolution to adopt the Sailboat Bend Historic District Architectural Resource Survey Update and the assignment of Contributing and Non-Contributing status on April 5, 2021 and a motion to recommend adoption of the resolution by the City Commission was approved by a vote of 6-1. 

On the May 18, 2021, City Commission Regular Agenda, a resolution to adopt of the findings in the updated architectural resource survey as well as assignment of “Contributing” and “Non-Contributing” status to all properties within the district was approved under Resolution 21-97.

Consideration of the proposed ordinance amendments will be considered at a later date.

For more information on the updates to the Sailboat Bend Historic District please contact Trisha Logan, Historic Preservation Planner at tlogan@fortlauderdale.gov or at 954.828.7101

Si necesita ayuda en español por favor contacte a Trisha Logan por correo electronico a tlogan@fortlauderdale.gov o por teléfono al 954.828.7101