Margate City Center Plans Take Shape After Proposals Unveiled

by David Volz December 6, 2024

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View some of the proposed renderings here

Development of the Margate city center property is moving toward the planning phase.

On December 3, the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) listened to proposals from three developers for the 50-acre property along State Road 7 and the east end of Margate Boulevard.

The CRA members, who are also on the commission, said they want the city center to be a major destination for Broward residents.

Brookfield Properties’s vision includes extensive green space, walkable streets, outdoor dining terraces, playgrounds, and performance areas. The central element would feature well-known retail stores and a main town square.

In the central area, there would be a five-story, 350-unit building with a garage. According to the presentation, three-story buildings will house up to 900 high-quality residential units.

The Michaels Organization proposed building a new city hall with a grand civic plaza to the east, a retail and concert pavilion to the west, and a new street to the south. The project would include 106,000 square feet of retail, of which 64,000 square feet would surround the mixed-use Village Green.

The city hall would be located at the eastern end of the village green at the intersection of Margate Boulevard and State Road 7. According to the presentation, there would also be a three-story public library.

The Related Group proposed a dense mixed-use project built in two phases. At the intersection of Margate Boulevard and State Road 7, a corner would be concentrated with retail and a grand entrance. The first phase site plan would extend Margate Boulevard eastward with ground-floor retail, plazas, and a large public park.

According to the presentation, the street would become a pedestrian-friendly place to host events such as farmer’s markets, holiday events and artist exhibitions.

Mayor Arlene Schwartz said, “This city center should be where people want to go. For too long, we have been a pass-through city.”

Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano is excited about the possibilities of the city center, but he wants fewer apartments. “I would like to see more stores and restaurants, but the developers want more residential units,” he said.

Commissioner Anthony Caggiano is looking forward to learning more about the developers. “All three had decent presentations. Now we have to set up one-on-one meetings with the developers,” he said.

According to the presentation, the second phase would include a civic center, 400 luxury apartments and 65,000 square feet of retail space, including a fitness center and grocery store.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.