Hometown News and Views

By Michael d’Oliveira

Pompano Beach - After five years, the terminals at Broward County’s Northeast Transit Center are ready to start accepting buses and ferrying passengers.

Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., officials from Pompano Beach, Broward County and Broward County Transit [BCT] will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Transit Center, located at the corner of Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard, five years after the groundbreaking ceremony was held.

“It’s the game changer for us,” said Mayor Lamar Fisher, who expects the Transit Center to attract more people to the city.

“It’s going to be an economic engine,” he said, adding that the Transit Center also fits into the city’s plan to redevelop the Northwest Community Redevelopment Area [NW CRA].

On Tuesday, commissioners approved land use changes to the NW CRA that would allow for mixed use and easier redevelopment of the area. By allowing mixed use, officials hope private entities will come to the area and build residential, commercial and retail developments.

In the past CRA officials have also said the new Transit Center would improve the city’s chances of getting a Florida East Coast railway commuter station at Atlantic and Dixie. With buses from routes 20, 42, 50, 60 and Pompano’s community bus converging at the Transit Center, the area would already be a transit destination for thousands of riders and compliment a commuter station.

The $5.3 million facility sits on 3.5 acres owned by the county and was built through funding from the Florida Department of Transportation, grants and local matches comprised of transit impact fees.

Doris Williams, Broward County Transit’s administrator for customer relations, said the long period between the groundbreaking and the grand opening stemmed from the city, county and state trying to work out the details in their partnership together.

Along with the ribbon cutting, there will be a tour of the facility, musical and dance entertainment and a drumming workshop highlighting the Transit Center’s public art feature, “Pompano Drum Circle.”

Designed by artists Bill and Mary Buchen, “Pompano Drum Circle” is a grouping of five sculptural percussion instruments inspired by the musical traditions of cultures represented in the local area: African, Bahamian, Brazilian, Cuban and Haitian.

The Transit Center also features a passenger drop-off area, platform canopies, restrooms, walk-up customer information window, bench seating, garden feature and is certified as a NatureScape Broward site.