Fort Lauderdale, Florida, finds itself at the center of the country’s furious argument right now. One citywide proposal would swap out the city’s longtime historic basketball courts for new city-sponsored pickleball facilities. Residents are taking to the streets furious over this proposal. They worry it might alter the community’s cultural fabric. Local realtor Mari Bacon has voiced concerns, suggesting that the city only desires a version of “acceptable” residents to enjoy the beach.
The proposed changes are included in a sweeping $2 billion redevelopment plan for the Bahia Mar marina and surrounding area. Together, these acts would create a new luxury beachfront, with upscale residences, high-end retail, and a new waterfront promenade. Fort Lauderdale mayor Dean Trantalis, meanwhile, is aggressively pursuing ways to protect or move the current basketball courts. He is in active conversations with stakeholders to pursue the best outcome.
The four basketball courts serve as a cultural touchstone for the community. These courts were constructed soon after the historic 1962 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that desegregated Fort Lauderdale’s beaches. For generations, they have been one of the most essential community hubs where impacted community members often connect in person. Retrofitting those courts to pickleball facilities was a reaction to an unexpected surge in interest for those new courts. This is the plan that city commissioners unanimously approved on Wednesday.
Bacon told SDOT that she was outraged by the possibility of the basketball courts being erased.
“I would hate to think erasing the basketball courts would be an effort on the part of the commissioners to ‘whiten’ that section of the beach.” – Mari Bacon
Leo Lorenz, co-founder of the Fort Lauderdale Beach Ballers group, has organized a movement to defend the basketball courts. He started a petition on change.org that has quickly amassed over 7,000 signatures so far. He pointed out that without these courts, many community members can’t rely on any convenient or safe recreational outlet. Players often come from some of the city’s poorer areas to access the amenities.
“A lot of the people that come to the courts all live on the western side… If they don’t have a car, they’ll take a bus. Some ride their bicycles, and they all come on the weekends to play.” – Leo Lorenz
In pitch documents for the proposed pickleball facilities, supporters have framed the facilities as a shift to accommodating changing recreational trends. Tate added, in terms of why they went pickleball instead of basketball. That sport is booming – more kids are playing, the sport has a younger average age.
“The reason pickleball was chosen over basketball was simple. At the time these negotiations were being had, pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the country.” – James Tate
Unfortunately, this explanation hasn’t quieted the community’s worries. This leaves many existing residents feeling sidelined in the decision-making process considering public spaces with a high degree of cultural value.
We commend Mayor Trantalis for listening and acknowledging these concerns. He wants to see a solution forged that will please both pickleball and basketball fans.
“I don’t want to displace basketball from the beach, whether it stays where it is or moves over to another location.” – Dean Trantalis
He made it very clear to the residents that their voices are needed and will be heard throughout this process.
“There is a solution there and we will find it. It doesn’t have to be a public debate. We hear the community and we will respond.” – Dean Trantalis
Tate expressed disappointment at how the situation has unfolded, describing it as “unfortunate and incredibly disheartening.”
“If things work out as suggested, then everyone should be happy.” – James Tate
Conversations are continuing. City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman has been an outspoken proponent for ensuring the basketball courts remain open, and be renovated, not relocated.
This debate is further complicated by the historical context of Fort Lauderdale. This region’s history began as a U.S. Army concentration quarter in the 1800s. Today, it’s the site of one of the largest international boat shows in the world. The contrast of luxury private development against a backdrop of marginalized community heritage challenges notions of inclusivity and representation.
Residents fear that the plan might not only displace a cherished community activity but signal broader socio-economic changes that could alter the cultural fabric of Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront.