Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Coral Springs, FL

Rendering of a pedestrian-bike bridge across the Sawgrass Expressway at Wiles Road for the Everglades Pedestrian Bike Loop project in Coral Springs.Photo Credit: City of Coral Springs

By Zahra Huber

PublishedMarch 10, 2024 at 4:52 PM

CORAL SPRINGS, FL – Some construction has started on the ambitious Everglades Pedestrian Bike Loop project in Coral Springs.

Already, small portions of the 10.2-mile loop along the city’s western edges are being built in the city’s corporate park, including the Amazon property on Sample Road and Foundry Trailer Storage project off Wiles Road, according to city spokesperson Lindsey Steinberg.

Once built, the loop will further connect Coral Springs to the Everglades along a continuous pedestrian and bicycle route stretching from the Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard in the south to Wiles Road in the north and along the city’s western-most roads.

Sign Up for FREE Coral Springs Newsletter

Get local news you can trust in your inbox.

Officials are also planning to build an observation tower, along with restrooms, on Sportsplex Drive, just south of Coral Glades High School.

To round out the loop, plans call for constructing a pedestrian-bicycle bridge across the Sawgrass Expressway at Wiles Road.

City officials have said the goal of the loop is to serve as a regional destination, provide recreation, and create more gathering spaces for local residents to enjoy the outdoors and sunsets to the west.

City officials are now working to refine the project's design and looking for funding opportunities.

“We are still in the design phase,” Steinberg said in an email.

The exact costs of building the Everglades Pedestrian Bike Loop aren’t known yet.

The city is applying for state and federal funding to pay for as much of the project as possible, Steinberg said.

“We do not have the final design, therefore cannot project the city’s contributions at this time, but again the goal is to obtain as much grant funding as possible,” she wrote in an email.

So far, the city has set aside $133,000 in federal pandemic relief funds to pay for the project’s design report, which includes surveys, illustrations, and other technical work.

Based on a financial plan for the project, costs are projected to be about $2.2 million for sidewalk replacements, $3.8 million for a floating dock, and $10.2 million for the pedestrian-bicycle bridge.

Additionally, the city is estimating that it will cost $1.6 million to do the project’s design work and $2.4 million for post-design services, engineering, and inspection.

The cost of maintaining the facilities hasn’t been determined yet.

MORE CORAL SPRINGS NEWS:

MOORE FIRE GRILL is at 6291 Sample Road in Coral Springs.Photo Credit: Jason Perlow

MOORE FIRE GRILL is at 6291 Sample Road in Coral Springs.Photo Credit: Jason Perlow

By Jason Perlow

PublishedMarch 12, 2024 at 11:08 AM

CORAL SPRINGS, FL - Moore Fire Grill is redefining lunch with an updated menu.

This women and Black-owned eatery, spearheaded by married chefs Dayne and Christina Moore, combines gourmet flair with affordability, introducing a range of lunch combos and sandwiches guaranteed to please any palate.

The new lunch combos lead the menu refresh, each offering a mix of taste and quality.

Sign Up for FREE Coral Springs Newsletter

Get local news you can trust in your inbox.

For $16, the 1/4 Rack of Smoked Ribs delivers tender, flavorful perfection.

Seafood enthusiasts will appreciate the Grilled Shrimp Skewers, succulent and grilled just right, with roasted garlic butter, which are available for $17.

The Grilled Chicken Breast provides a lighter option at $13, all accompanied by a side dish and a choice of cornbread or garlic toast.

On the sandwich front, Moore Fire Grill showcases its commitment to excellence and innovation:

MOORE FIRE GRILL is at 6291 Sample Road in Coral Springs.

Moore Fire Grill offers great home-style Cajun & southern comfort foods -- made fresh to order.

The restaurant is cooking up your new cravings!

Location: 6291 West Sample Road in Coral Springs. Phone: 954-281-2272 Order here: orders@moorefiregrill.com Full menu here: MOOREFIREGRILL.COM/MENU

Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 08:45 pm Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 08:45 pm Thursday: 12:00 pm – 08:45 pm Friday: 12:00 pm – 08:45 pm Saturday: 12:00 pm – 08:45 pm Sunday: Closed

The opinions expressed herein are the writer's alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TAPinto.net or anyone who works for TAPinto.net. TAPinto.net is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer. Click here to submit a Column.

By Kevin Deutsch

Some of the construction needed to build the much-anticipated Everglades Greenway Loop in Coral Springs has gotten underway as officials continue to work on the project’s design and seek funds for construction, according to the city.

Portions of the required building for the project have begun at the Amazon property on Sample Road and along the Foundry Trailer Storage project, according to Coral Springs city officials.

The Everglades Loop project will create a 10-mile greenway loop that connects Coral Springs to the Florida Everglades. The loop is expected to include a scenic overlook area for nature lovers, a pedestrian bicycle bridge across the Sawgrass Expressway at Wiles Road, a small restaurant, and a pavilion. The trail will also include restrooms, shade structures, and bike stations along the city’s western border.

“The creation of this greenway loop will serve as a location for nature enthusiasts to experience environmental and wildlife education,” states a funding request document submitted to the state legislature last year. “The path will allow citizens to have an active and healthy lifestyle outdoors” by improving walkability and safe biking.

“The Everglades Greenway loop will open up the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States to nature enthusiasts, providing for greater educational opportunities about the wetlands and its impact on our ecosystem,” the request stated.

According to city design documents, part of the project will take an existing pedestrian-bike loop and connect it to an empty five-acre site on Sportsplex Drive, just south of Coral Glades High School. At that site, the city plans to include a facility for the public to gather and view the sunset over the Everglades.

The design documents estimate construction costs for the loop project at around $16 million, plus another $4 million for design, engineering, inspection, and related costs. The construction costs would include an estimated $3.8 million for a floating dock, $2.2 million for sidewalk replacement, and around $10 million for the pedestrian-bicycle bridge.

The city is applying for various state and federal funding sources to pay for as much of the project as possible, according to city spokesperson Lindsey Steinberg.

“We do not have the final design; therefore cannot project the city’s contributions at this time, but again the goal is to obtain as much grant funding as possible,” Steinberg said.

The city received $133,000 in pandemic rescue funds that paid for a detailed project design report. In December 2023, the city submitted a grant application through the state’s SunTrail program for approximately $9.1 million to construct the pedestrian-bicycle bridge.

Coral Springs Commissioner Joshua Simmons said the loop project aims to create “a destination attraction” that would serve as “one of the only immersive pathways connecting South Florida with the majestic Everglades.”

“We look forward to keeping the community ‘in the loop’ on this exciting community project and can’t wait to unveil it once complete,” Simmons said.

It is not clear what year the project might be completed.

“We are still in the design phase; therefore, we do not have a specific timeline,” Steinberg said.

Send Your News to Coral Springs #1 Award-Winning News Site Here. Don’t miss reading Parkland Talk, Tamarac Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.

Last UpdatedMarch 5, 2024 at 2:13 PM

CORAL SPRINGS, FL – Coral Springs is considering hiring Coastal Waste and Recycling of Florida to be the city’s trash hauler.

City officials are proposing to start working with Coastal Waste and Recycling in October and continue through Sept. 30, 2031 -- paying the hauler $5 million annually for single-family residential and low-density, multi-family services, according to a city memo.

Waste Pro is the city’s current collector of trash and recycling. The current contract with Waste Pro will expire on Sept. 30.

Sign Up for FREE Coral Springs Newsletter

Get local news you can trust in your inbox.

According to the memo, the current agreement, awarded in 2013, had a total contract length of 11 years.

“All contract renewals have been exercised and, as is our process in these circumstances, city staff prepared a procurement action to establish a new contract,” the memo said.

Coral Springs commissioners are scheduled to discuss the Coastal Waste and Recycling agreement on Wednesday.

Asked specifically why the city is considering hiring Coastal Waste and Recycling, a city spokeswoman said, if commissioners approve the new agreement, a news release will be distributed with details, including a statement from the city’s public works director.

Like other trash haulers across the nation, Waste Pro had many challenges during the pandemic with picking up trash on time, as many drivers were sick and trucks were out of service.

The company, at one point, put out a statement in 2021 asking residents for “patience” if trash collectors missed their homes during pickups.

“Once again, we are navigating through unprecedented times with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is affecting our workforce. While we work to complete all of our residential and commercial routes, we ask for your patience for later than usual or missed solid waste and/or recycling collection,” the company said in a statement. Read more here.

According to the city memo, here are other highlights about Coastal Waste and Recycling, and its proposed agreement with Coral Springs:

- “The management team for Coastal has significant recent experience in the Broward County market with transitions from other service providers to their company. The municipalities recently experiencing this transition with Coastal are the Town of Davie, North Miami Beach, and the City of Oldsmar.”

- “The cost proposal submitted by Coastal represents the lowest cost of services, when taking into consideration all three areas of service provision, single family residential, low-density multi-family, and commercial.”

- “Coastal offered additional value adds such as replacing all of the trash and recycle containers at no cost to the City and portable comfort stations that will be provided at City sponsored Special Events. The new trash containers are a value add worth approximately $3,000.000.”

MORE CORAL SPRINGS NEWS:

EDUCATION: Date Set for Tearing Down Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s 1200 Building, Site of 2018 Mass Shooting

By Agrippina Fadel

A new episode of the popular HGTV show House Hunters will feature a couple buying a property in the Coral Springs area.

Meirav Susi, a Coral Springs resident for over 20 years and a Realtor since 2005, was chosen out of 27 applicants to guide the buyers through the process.

Running for 24 years and 243 seasons, House Hunters captures the journey of home buying without financial assistance, focusing on real house searches, according to the show.

Susi, employed at Re/Max Direct in Coconut Creek, applied to HGTV after learning they sought a local agent. She was selected for her outgoing personality and teamwork and undertook a week of filming, lasting 8-9 hours daily. The episode, taking 4-6 months to produce, required her license verification.

The buyers, an engaged couple familiar to Susi, were previously mentored by her. She revealed they had a budget of up to $600K and chose one of three showcased houses. Susi’s husband, Brian, assisted with their mortgage.

The episode “House Then Wedding In Florida” highlights their journey, including a dining scene at Incontro Italian Cuisine and Steakhouse in Coral Springs.

Susi reflected on the intensive filming process involving multiple camera angles and a large crew. She adapted to being constantly mic’d, even forgetting it during restroom visits.

The episode also explores South Florida’s challenging real estate market, marked by high demand and multiple offers.

Susi selected properties based on long-term suitability, emphasizing the importance of location and affordability over immediate appeal. The episode features homes that “need a little love,” aligning with the couple’s budget and vision.

The show portrays the couple’s differing preferences, with her leaning towards a condo near the ocean and him desiring a backyard house. Influenced by open-mindedness and family needs, their decision-making process forms the episode’s core.

Despite enjoying the experience and bonding with the crew, Susi doesn’t aspire to a reality TV career.

“It was the most exciting experience I have ever been through, but it also made me realize that show business is not for me,” she laughed.

The episode airs on HGTV on Monday, January 8, at 10 p.m. and Tuesday, January 9, at 1 a.m.

Send Your News to Coral Springs #1 Award-Winning News Site Here. Don’t miss reading Parkland Talk, Tamarac Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.