Water Damage Restoration in Hollywood, FL

The Hollywood Boulevard corridor is sprawling with development of new apartment buildings, though many will have luxury units that would be out of reach for typical renters in a city where below-market apartments are sorely needed.

There’s the forthcoming Soleste Hollywood Blvd, which will have 324 luxury rental units and businesses on the first floor. Off of Van Buren Street, there will soon be a commercial/residential development, Soleste Hollywood Village, with luxury apartments across from a city parking garage.

Up a few blocks is the redevelopment of the Hollywood Bread Building near Young Circle and U.S. 1, slated to have 361 luxury rental units.

The newer, more expensive rentals have been a concern for residents for some time in a city that is only set to grow as it enters its 100th year. Moreso, the changes pose a question that’s been the crux of the political conversation this election cycle: to build or not to build — and if so, where?

All told, there will about 5,600 residential units in the city’s downtown in the next few years. Prices for the incoming luxury units have not been listed publicly, but one completed luxury apartment complex, 1818 Park, has a one-bedroom apartment listed at $2,704.

The issue of affordability, development and housing was prevalent at a recent mayoral and City Commission candidate forum. Candidates were asked about Hollywood’s future, but much of the conversation focused on the development and affordability and housing strain in the city.

“There’s a huge gap” between residents’ median income and the median sales price of a home in Hollywood, Richard Walker, a candidate for the District 2 commission seat, said at the Sept. 24 forum. The median income for the city is about $62,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, while the median sales price of homes in the city is more than $466,000, according to Zillow.

“That means that there are a lot of people in the city of Hollywood that work relentlessly and will never own a home here cause they’re being priced out.”

The city’s downtown enclave is slowly but surely being built out with more housing units. But as Hollywood increases its housing stock, there is still a matter of addressing affordability.

University Station, a mixed-income development at 421 North 21st St., is one project that will add more affordable housing stock, containing 216 affordable housing units when it opens in 2025. Those units are reserved for people making between 22% and 80% of the area median income, with rents ranging from $374 to $1,634.

But those 216 units won’t make much of a dent in a city where roughly 62.5% of renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, Florida International University’s Metropolitan Center associate director Ned Murray said. By his count, that is 14,575 households in Hollywood that are cost-burdened. And of that number, more than 7,200 of them, are severely cost-burdened, meaning more than 50% of their income goes toward rent, he said.

For Hollywood to accommodate residents, it would need to shore up more units of affordable housing, he said.

“If it’s not a mixed income [development], they’re lost opportunities,” said Murray, who helped craft Broward County’s affordable housing plan. “There really has to be a certain percentage of units allocated for affordable housing.”

Mayor Josh Levy, who is running for his third term, said the city has taken steps to approve more affordable and workforce housing projects, including seven that are under construction and two more in the planning phases.

“Addressing affordability is the top issue,” he said at the recent candidates’ forum.

District 6 commission candidate Jamil Richards said he’d like for millennials such as himself to be able to stay in the city, and part of that means being able to afford to live in it.

“I would love to remain in the city, and I say that where I live, there’s a lot of millennials moving into our community, which is an amazing thing to see,” he said. “However, as often as they move in, as much as I speak to them, cost of living is a concern.”

Mayoral candidate Catherine Uden, who has said she’s against large-scale development, said she understands the city needs to grow but would rather see construction further west and along the U.S. 441 corridor, not on the barrier islands.

District 6 Commissioner Idelma Quintana, echoed her sentiments: “We need to be wise about new development on the beach,” she said.

A recent plan to build an 18-story mixed-used development by Condra Property Group has been met with ire. The development would bring retail and workforce housing with 40% units priced to be affordable for people making under 120% of the area median income, or under $105,120. The development would include a separate building with a three-story beach club with a rooftop pool.

Developers are seeking to have it built under Florida’s Live Local Act. If approved, the tower would be the second tallest building north of Hollywood Boulevard, after Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.

Candidates who spoke at the forum said they aren’t opposed to growth, but some would like to see it spread throughout the city.

District 2 commission candidate Peter Hernandez said he would like to see more development further west, along 21st Avenue, Pines Boulevard and Sheridan Street. Still, he raised the concern of overdevelopment of high-rises in areas of primarily single-family homes that were once accustomed to a certain level of privacy.

“I am tired of four-story buildings in neighborhoods that overlook my property and don’t have privacy,” he said. “We need to look at the current zoning and make it work for [both] current and younger residents.”

As Hurricane Milton has disrupted daily life in several communities, residents are facing significant interruptions, prompting local authorities and businesses to adapt and respond accordingly. According to the City of Hollywood's official website, several community institutions, including city administrative offices and public schools, have closed for the day in the wake of the storm. All park activities and the Orangebook Golf Course are also closed today.

Despite the disruption caused by Hurricane Milton, garbage and recycling services remain on schedule. Meanwhile, transit services such as the Holly-Go Community Shuttle and Sun Shuttle resumed to a delayed start at 10:00 a.m. today. For drivers using city-operated parking garages, the fee waiver implemented during the hurricane will terminate at strict 7:00 p.m., as per the city's announcements.

The educational sector are impacted by Hurricane Milton, with the Broward County Public Schools dismissing class for the day, as stated on the city alerts page. This cancellation extends to all after-school programs, with the planned Magnet Program Expo set to be rescheduled. Parents and students can expect a return to the standard schedule tomorrow, unless there are unforeseen circumstances.

In a positive development for beachgoers, public facilities on Hollywood Beach are resuming operations, with bathrooms along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk reopening at noon. But beyond the immediacy of municipal services, the storm's impact lingers, compelling FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team to initiate a survey for local businesses to report the extent of their physical and economic losses. This data collection effort, integral for accelerating recovery, invites business owners to document Hurricane Milton's impact, with guidance available via phone and email daily from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The transportation network is adjusting to the ongoing situation; Broward County Fixed-Route Bus service is operating on schedule. However, those relying on the Tri-Rail will have to make alternative plans as the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has advised its services until today. They recommend passengers stay connected for updates through traditional and digital channels. Brightline train service between West Palm Beach and Orlando is paused, yet the service continues amid South Florida stations. They urge passengers to informed through their website and social media platforms, with full operations expected to resume once track conditions are confirmed safe.

FORT LAUDERDALE — As South Florida is seeing periods of heavy rain and Hurricane Milton strengthens, some areas are already seeing flooding and taking the necessary precautions to prepare.

Hallandale Beach announced Monday that due to ongoing heavy rains and expected flooding in the City Hall parking lot, all administrative offices are closed and the staff is working remotely.

On Sunday, Miami-Dade County declared a local state of emergency. Cities across South Florida also declared states of emergency due to heavy rain and Hurricane Milton.

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is activating its Emergency Weather Procedures. Homeless shelters are making overflow inventory like surplus space, hallways and other common areas, available so individuals experiencing homelessness can come in from the elements during the duration of the storm.

Local states of emergency

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez declared a state of emergency for the city due to the potential effects of Milton. Sweetwater Mayor Jose "Pepe" Diaz also declared a state of emergency in his city/

The City of Hollywood declared a state of emergency as its residents brace for severe weather.

Hollywood also announced that parking fees will be waived in city-operated parking garages starting at 8 a.m. Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis. These are the following garages open to assist residents:

There will also be a free sandbag distribution event for Hollywood residents on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations:

The City of Miami Gardens has also declared a state of emergency and announced a sandbag distribution event at City Hall for Sunday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. while supplies last.

The City of Hallandale Beach was the third municipality to declare a state of emergency on Saturday evening, urging its residents and businesses to take "immediate precautions."

On Sunday the Coral Gables and Homestead declared states of emergency ahead of Milton's landfall. Homestead said it would have a sandbag distribution event on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and another on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a limit of five sandbags per vehicle and will take place at the following locations:

North Lauderdale held a DIY sandbag giveaway event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for all of its residents that were free of charge. There is a six-bag limit per person and they can be obtained at Pompano Park at 4001 Bailey Rd.

Fort Lauderdale announced sandbag distribution events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday at three locations:

North Miami Beach had a sandbag distribution event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 1965 NE 151st., limiting four per household.

The City of North Miami will have a sandbag distribution event on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following location:

North Miami is only allowing residents six bags per household.

The City of South Miami is distributing sandbags for Hurricane Milton from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Public Works Yard at 4795 SW 75th Ave.

Oakland Park held a sandbag distribution event on Sunday until 4 p.m. at the Public Works Facility at 3801 NE 5th Ave.

Miami Beach has not yet declared a state of emergency but shared on X that residents and local business employees can park in most public garages at no cost starting 11 a.m. Sunday until tentatively 8 a.m. Thursday.

The City of Miami Beach will also hold two free sandbag distribution events from 8 a.m. to 2 p.,m. at the following locations:

Pembroke Pines has sandbag distribution events from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at 8300 W. Cypress Dr., limiting to five bags per household.

Opa-Locka will also distribute sandbags between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at the Public Works and Utilities Department at 12950 NW 42nd Ave. while supplies last.

Miami-Dade County will also host several sandbag distribution sites starting at 7 a.m. on Monday and will remain open until supplies last. Residents can receive up to four bags per household.

Residents prepare for the worst

Residents are worried about the coming days.

"I already got all my stuff ready to go," added Michael Sloan. "I got sandbags in a little wagon ready — waiting to be pulled in the place. I got my wall units already, [and] screws put in place. So, all I got to do is put them up and I'm sealed."

Police urged drivers to slow down while in heavy rain, stay focused and increase the distance between themselves and the car in front of them.

CBS Miami Team

The CBS Miami team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSMiami.com.

Twitter Facebook Instagram

BROWARD COUNTY: Hollywood opened two city garages Sunday morning for residents in low-lying areas to store their cars during Hurricane Milton.

Dante Bishop has already moved his car. He knows how dangerous it is living close to the ocean.

"I've seen water up to my ankles. Calf, shin. I've seen the water and you can feel the breeze so it's coming," Bishop said.

In Fort Lauderdale, the Edgewood neighborhood is prone to flooding. So the city's installed a pump there to keep the drains clean, and prevent them from clogging or getting backed up.

That pump is in front of Mark Rigdon's house. He said sandbags can only do so much.

"Any amount of rain then things back up. At least now they're trying something," Rigdon said.

He's taking down anything that could be blown away.

Across the street, Marion Howard was tuning up his car. He said it's better to do it now than in a storm.

"You wanna make sure when you need to leave. You have no problems with your car," Howard said.

A city official said the pump was put there because the neighborhood is vulnerable. The city also just finished construction on a neighborhood-wide stormwater improvement project for Edgewood.

As for the pump, Rigdon and Howard are leery of the effectiveness.

"When it works then I'll believe it did its job. Until then, we will see," Howard said.

Steve Maugeri

Steve Maugeri joined the CBS News Miami team in April 2024. Steve has always loved the beach and is excited to live this close to the ocean within a major city as well!