In The Press

Dania Beach Soars as Gateway to Broward County Business Opportunities

Friday, October 18, 2019 - 12:00pm

Spirit Airlines is Landing Their New Headquarters in Dania Pointe

Dania Beach, FL (October 18, 2019):  From air to sea and in between, the City of Dania Beach is the gateway to South Florida. As Broward County’s first city to incorporate in 1904, one could say that the city was always in a good place.

On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Spirit Airlines announced that they will be moving their global headquarters, operations center and simulation center to the KIMCO-owned Dania Pointe site, the premier 102-acre, mixed-use development, located within the City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment area. Spirit Airlines expects to move to a new 500,000 square feet, state-of-the-art Dania Beach headquarters in 2022.

Dania Beach is now, more than ever, positioned as the hub of maritime and aeronautical industries. Dania Beach Mayor Lori Lewellen said, “The City of Dania Beach is glad to welcome Spirit’s new corporate headquarters campus to our city. We are thrilled that the company has chosen to grow here, adding 225 high-value jobs. Spirit will become an important cornerstone in our city. We are excited for their growth as we move forward together into the new decade.”

The Spirit Airlines relocation is expected to have a total economic benefit of $14.87 million for Dania Beach and Broward County, according to Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development. Spirit Airlines’ capital investment is estimated at between $173million and $250 million over three years for a new headquarters and operations facility and 225 high-wage jobs that are at 150% of the Broward County average annual wage.

The Dania Beach City Commission supports the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board’s 10% local support incentive of $135,000 for the Spirit Airlinesrelocation through the State of Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program and as a High-Impact Sector Business under the High-Impact Sector Tax Refund Bonus Program with a Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund in addition to $225,000 through a Direct Cash Job Creation Incentive grant. The financial support by the Dania Beach CRA will be provided over a nine-year period beginning with Fiscal Year 2023, which begins October 1, 2022. The Brownfield site has been underused due to environmental concerns. Broward County is also contributing $135,000 in local financial support and matching the CRA’s $225,000 through the Direct Cash Job Creation Incentive program.

Dania Pointe is slated to include almost one million square feet of retail and restaurants in addition to Class A offices, hotels, luxury apartments and public event space. It is conveniently located in between Interstate 95 to the west and Bryan Road to the east and Stirling Road to the south.

Dania Beach's strategic location provides an ideal framework for businesses to relocate to the waterfront city.  Dania Beach is located adjacent to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is partially located within the city’s limits, and Port Everglades. The city is rapidly becoming the prime location for new businesses and business relocations. This past August, JetBlue announced the opening of their JetBlue Travel Products subsidiary in Dania Beach. Dania Beach is also home to Chewy, Inc., Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Florida Atlantic University's Sea Tech, the American Maritime Officers training and research center,along with first-class marinas and many marine-related businesses.

In 2015, the Dania Beach CRA adopted its redevelopment plan which includes the goal of attracting targeted new industries and retaining and expanding core industries. The incentive programs in the plan are designed to directly stimulate and support private investment in new real estate development, property improvements, new businesses, increased business activity, and as a result thereof creation of new jobs. These programs are needed to eliminate and prevent blighting conditions. The CRA is also empowered to financially subsidize commercial, residential and mixed-use private development projects, including but not limited to, direct grants. The Dania Beach CRA also partners with Enterprise Florida, Inc./Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development to provide incentive packages for qualified businesses.

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Spirit Airlines announces new $250 million global headquarters investment in Dania Beach

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 5:00pm

Spirit plans to add 225 more jobs and move 1,000 Miramar-based employees to a new state-of-the-art campus in Dania Beach, Florida, in 2022

MIRAMAR, Fla., Oct. 17, 2019 – Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE), America’s fastest-growing airline, today announced its intention to build a state-of-the-art headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida. The company plans to move into the new campus by mid-2022.

The airline, headquartered in South Florida for more than 20 years, submitted site plans to the City of Dania Beach to build a campus up to 500,000 square feet at Dania Pointe, a premier mixed-use development comprised of nearly one million square feet of retail space, restaurants and housing.

Spirit has entered into an agreement with Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM), the owner and principal developer of Dania Pointe, to secure the land. Gensler will be the lead architectural firm, and Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) was selected as the project advisor. Spirit estimates the total capital outlay for the project will be approximately $250 million over the next 36 months. The new campus will be located in the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) District, and the Dania Beach CRA also supported the project.

In 2022, approximately 1,000 employees are planned to move from the company’s current facilities in Miramar to the new Dania Pointe site just minutes away from Spirit’s largest operating base, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The project will make way for the future growth of the airline while improving operational efficiency by consolidating Spirit’s real estate footprint. The development will include corporate offices and a new crew training facility with flight simulators for more streamlined workflow and quick access to the airport.

Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ted Christie stated, “It was two decades ago when Spirit moved to South Florida and temporarily headquartered in a building of less than 1,000 square feet. Today’s announcement shows just how far we’ve come. This new home will keep us connected to the South Florida community while improving our team’s efficiency and ability to support what is an ever-expanding international operation. We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with the City of Miramar, an outstanding location for headquarters and businesses of all sizes. We look forward to creating more jobs and driving future economic development as South Florida’s Hometown Airline.”

Governor Ron DeSantis stated, “I would like to congratulate Spirit Airlines on expanding your footprint in Florida and giving Floridians more access to quality air service. This new state-of-the-art headquarters will provide South Florida families with job opportunities and greatly contribute to the strong economic foundation of the area. Spirit’s investment also reinforces Florida’s position as a leader in the aviation industry and important hub for international travelers and commerce.”

Enterprise Florida President & CEO Jamal Sowell stated, “Enterprise Florida is pleased to work with Spirit Airlines and we look forward to their continued growth and success in our state. The real winners are the Floridians and their families who will find work because of this new investment.”

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson stated, “Congratulations to Spirit Airlines, the fastest growing airline in the U.S. We are grateful that the company employs 4,000 people in Broward County.”

Broward County Mayor Mark D. Bogen stated, “We thank one of the pillars of our business community, Spirit Airlines, for continuing to invest in our vibrant Broward County and creating 225 new, high-quality positions over the next five years. Having fast-growing companies like Spirit Airlines headquartered here is pivotal to our economic growth strategy, and we are excited to have such high value flight options for our residents and tourists traveling in and out of Broward County for years to come.”

City of Dania Beach Mayor Lori Lewellen stated, “The City of Dania Beach is glad to welcome Spirit’s new corporate headquarters campus to our city. We are thrilled that the company has chosen to grow here, adding 225 high-value jobs. Spirit will become an important cornerstone in our city. We are excited for their growth as we move forward together into the new decade.”

Mark Gale, Chief Executive Officer/Director of Aviation, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport stated, “Having an international airline headquarters close to Broward County’s FLL puts us in good company with a handful of other major airports across the country. We thank Spirit Airlines for the long-term commitment to our community. This new investment will help bring more guests through FLL and help grow our position as an international gateway to Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.”

Bob Swindell, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance stated, “The Alliance is incredibly proud to witness this game-changing new chapter for Spirit Airlines. We are excited that Spirit is growing in Broward County and that employees from throughout the U.S. and beyond will be trained in Dania Beach.”

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7th Annual Dania Beach Arts & Seafood Celebration Brings Home 7 Awards

Thursday, August 29, 2019 - 12:21pm

Dania Beach, Fla.–The 7th annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration won seven (7) SUNsational awards at the Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) 25th Annual Conference on August 21, 2019. FFEA is a not-for-profit association dedicated to supporting and promoting more than 4,500 festivals, events, and fairs in the state of Florida through education, networking, and dissemination of information and the cultivation of high standards.

This year there was a record number of more than 500 submissions for the Sunsational Awards. FFEA honored over 40 organizations and individuals representing 140 events.

Nominations were accepted in nine categories, including Printed Materials; Outdoor Advertisement; PR / Media Campaign; Photo; Promotional Item; T-shirt; Broadcast Media; Multimedia Marketing and Programming. Each category included three budget levels.

“The Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration event has been consistent with its creative marketing messaging as it pursues its goal to showcase the City of Dania Beach to residents and visitors alike”, said CRA Executive Director Rickelle Williams.

Since its inception in 2013, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has applied for and won over 29 FFEA awards for the Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration.

This year, the event won in the following categories:

  • 1st Place Commemorative Poster
  • 1st Place Promotional Mailer
  • 1st Place Program
  • 2nd Place Tickets
  • 2nd Place Website
  • 3rd Place Radio Ad
  • 3rd Place Kids T-shirt

Nominations were judged by a blue ribbon panel representing media outlets, printing companies, website designers, photographers, promotional marketing professionals and social media experts. With assistance from the Creative Arts Council Advisory Board, the CRA selected Ms. Gina Santamaria as the commemorative poster artist through a formal call-to-artists.

“The SUNsational Awards have recognized and celebrated the talents of our members for more than two decades,” said Suzanne Neve, Executive Director of the FFEA.  “We’re proud of our members and their events – and excited to recognize them in this way each year.”

Mark your calendar for the 8th annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration taking place Saturday, March 28, 2020 and Sunday, March 29, 2020.

For more information visit www.DaniaBeachArtsandSeafoodCelebration.com

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The City of Dania Beach Community Development Block Grant 45th Year Application Public Hearing Notice

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 2:34pm
Join us Monday, July 29th, 2019 at 5:30 PM for a community meeting to learn about and share ideas on new directional signs within the CRA Boundaries. Make suggestions for best possible sites, attractions, and locations. 
 
Dania Beach Commission Chamber
100 W. Dania Beach Blvd
Dania Beach, FL
For more information contact: 954-924-6801
 
Hosted by the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
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Dania Beach is Creating Community through Quality of Life Initiatives

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 2:33pm

-- Kick Off of At Home Dania Beach & Neighborhood Beautification --

City of Dania Beach, FL: Dania Beach’s history and unique charm is not lost in the city’s renaissance. The City of Dania Beach is reinventing itself through several quality of life initiatives that are transforming existing neighborhoods, while providing business and home ownership opportunities.

On Saturday, May 25, 2019, the City of Dania Beach and the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) hosted an event that showcases programs that will revitalize neighborhoods in the community redevelopment area.

The activities include the groundbreaking of empty infill lots for six new affordable homes that will be built in the Sun Garden/NW Byrd Point neighborhood, while close to 100 volunteers paint and landscape existing homes on the street through a grant-funded neighborhood revitalization project in conjunction with Rebuilding Together Broward County and The Home Depot.

“The program gives residents an opportunity to feel at home in their neighborhood and community, while fostering a greater sense of pride,” said Dania Beach City Commissioner Tamara James.

Last year, the Community Redevelopment Agency Board approved the At Home Dania Beach program, which is a comprehensive approach to transforming the residential housing landscape within the CRA district by reducing slum and blight, growing the tax base and improving

neighborhood aesthetics. The At Home Dania Beach program encompasses a simultaneous and multi-dimensional policy to enhance the residential housing environment through five strategies: beautification, acquisition and disposition, development, homeownership and trust fund. These strategies represent sub-programs that together serve to improve the overall residential housing market via simultaneous implementation.

Colynn Mae Jones, Dania Beach resident, said, “Thanks to the Dania Beach CRA for improving our street. I am happy for the work being done, our neighborhood is becoming anew with homes being developed and existing homes in our block being painted.”

As the gateway to air, sea and rail travel, the City of Dania Beach is positioned to be a premiere location for new residents and visitors. In the first quarter of 2019, there was a 46.67% increase in new businesses citywide as compared to the same period last year. Several new hotels, businesses and residential properties have opened in the last year and others are under construction.

“We are very excited about the momentum of the city’s revitalization and want everyone to have an opportunity to explore the renaissance of Dania Beach,” said Mayor Lori Lewellen, City of Dania Beach.

From performances at The Casino Dania Beach and unique art, furnishings and antiques in the Arts District to the renovated marina, beach and pier and its downtown hotels, restaurants and new residential developments, Dania Beach is a premiere location for new residents and visitors.

Dania Beach: Sea it. Live it. Love it.

Available upon request:

  • Renderings of the new At Home Dania Beach homes

  • Photos and video of kick-off event

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