Most readers of this blog already know that the OIG, (Office of Inspector General) for Broward County, has issued a report entitled –
Misconduct by Fort Lauderdale in the award of the contract for the Design and Construction of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex
[ I have been looking into the history of Fort Lauderdale’s different renovation plans for the International Swimming Hall of Fame Complex, and it’s quite amazing, but first a little more about the report – ]
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The report from the OIG claimed the City “conducted an inadequate procurement and legal review process” ……. let a contract that allocated $67,000 for unidentified costs …. shielded $1.66 million from audit ….. said the RFP (request for proposal) was flawed and sent “mixed signals that dissuaded competitive participation“.
ISHOF Complex
The report seems to place a large amount of the blame on just retired City Attorney Harry Stewart, but also criticized City Manager Lee Feldman.
Though I agree that these two highly paid employees of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission should have seen the problems with this RFP and publicly counseled against moving forward, I suspect they were trying to please their bosses ( the Commission), and finally get the Aquatic Facility redo done.
. The tortured, controversial processes of revamping ISHOF has seen five Mayors, and has been in the news for nearly three decades, through two different renovations.
……. five Fort Lauderdale Mayors
Here are some headlines from the Sun-Sentinel over the years about ISHOF renovations
……….. Tues, April 4, 1989 ….. Residents Vow to Fight Beach Plan
………. Wed. June 28, 1989 ….. Pool Funds May Face Veto
………. Mar. 31, 1991 ……….. Gov. Chiles Refusing to Release $400,000
………. Jan. 9, 1993 …….. Aquatic Complex Reopens- $12 million [cost]
………. Sept 6, 2001 ……….. Swim Center Improvement Plan Gains Support
……… April 24, 2002 …….. Swim Center Proposal on Hold
……… June 5, 2002 ……. Lauderdale Turns Down Aquatic Plans
………. May 6, 2009 ……. Fort Lauderdale Politicians Propose Aquarium (ISHOF)
……….. June 3, 2009 ……. Lauderdale Scuffles Aquarium Idea
……… May 20, 2010 …… Aquatic Plan makes $76 Million Splash
……….. April 7 2011 ….. Ft. Laud. Background Check of (ISHOF) Developer
……….. May 4, 2011 .,… Projections Don’t Add Up for Revamp
………… July 7, 2011 …. Review Slams Plan for Swim Project
……….. Aug. 12, 2011 …. Seiler Wants Revamped Plans for ISHOF Project
…………. Oct. 3, 2011 … City Proposes New Vision for ISHOF complex
……….. Sept. 18, 2012 … Swim Hall Contract has Price Locked In
……….. July 25, 2013 …… Lauderdale Deal Violated Law – OIG says
….. so, what’s next? ….. Tim