Representing the YMCA of South Florida, Shutts & Bowen attorneys negotiated a 50-year lease for 2.5 acres of vacant land located at the entrance to Holiday Park, along Federal Highway south of Sunrise Boulevard, for its new state-of-the-art recreation and community facility.
On October 18, the City of Fort Lauderdale Commission voted unanimously in favor of the agreement. The $1 per year lease has been executed by the YMCA and the City of Fort Lauderdale. The future YMCA will provide an array of community programming for children and adults with an emphasis on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Shutts & Bowen's negotiating team was led by Brendan Aloysius Barry and Jereme Geller.
“Our pro bono representation of the YMCA for the lease agreement negotiations started more than a year ago and took many twists and turns,” said Jacqueline Howe, incoming YMCA Board Chair and a Partner at Shutts. “We are very pleased with the outcome. The YMCA will provide tremendous benefits to the local community. It’s been almost 20 years since there has been a YMCA in the downtown area, and this project will continue the redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Fort Lauderdale.”
Shutts held the first YMCA of Miami board meeting at the firm’s Miami law library in April of 1916. The firm’s founder, Frank Shutts, served on the YMCA’s first fundraising committee in 1918 and was the organization’s treasurer for many years.
“Shutts has a long tradition of offering pro bono services to community groups and associations,” said Barry. “We have a 100-year history with the Y and we are happy to help out again.”
The proposed YMCA facility will be a multi-level, contemporary facility with a gymnasium, wellness center, teen center, youth center, community rooms, and a fitness studio. It will offer day camps and Pre-K readiness programs for children. After school programs will include basketball clinics and leagues, adult and youth volleyball, yoga and other aerobics classes. Senior citizens can look forward to a variety of health and fitness programs and seminars. The facility will also serve as a venue for community and special events. The new facility will be located next to the Parker Playhouse, which the YMCA plans on partnering with on a variety of activities and services.