By John Hayden
The Shoppes of Wilton Manors, also known as Alibi Plaza, is the spiritual heart of LGBTQIA+ life in South Florida. Soon, it may be unrecognizable.
It was there that Georgie’s Alibi became the first successful bar in Wilton catering to our community. Over the decades, many have followed but the city’s entertainment district starts there and branches out up and down Wilton Drive.
Now after years of debates, starts and stops, and code changes, the path is almost cleared for redevelopment of the land. Plans include demolishing the back building (the one housing the gym, Pride Factory, and more) and replacing it with a parking structure. The majority of the parking lot will be turned into mixed use, with new businesses on the ground floor and 253 apartments on top.
The building with Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar and Hunters Nightclub, as well as the parking lot in front of them, are not being touched but they will be affected.
Why Now?
The city has recently made major changes to its building codes, aimed at creating more housing. New construction can be up to eight stories, which makes it easier for developers to turn a profit.
There are a lot of rumors going around, some of them true, others are exaggerated or outright false. We have talked with key players involved with the plan and are laying out the situation with the best facts available.
First, nothing is set in stone yet. The Planning and Zoning Board is scheduled to meet Monday, April 17, at 6pm at Wilton Manors City Hall, 2020 Wilton Dr. During this meeting they are expected to consider granting variances to the developer.
Parking
The most contentious one regards parking. New parking spaces are required to be 9’x20’, which is larger than nearby cities. Developers want dimensions of 8.5’x18. Their size would create 503 spaces, a number that would not only provide parking for the new residential units and business, but also go a long way towards making up for the spots lost.
However, this parking will not be free. People with knowledge of the negotiations say tenants will need to pay extra for a space, and the rest of the garage will charge a yet-to-be-determined rate.
Parking is already a scarce commodity in Wilton Manors. Many evenings it’s hard to find an open spot anywhere along The Drive after 5pm. The city has been encouraging ride share and last autumn introduced Circuit, a golf cart-esque electric vehicle that takes you to and from any two points in the city for $2 per passenger.
Existing Businesses
From demolition preps to opening day, construction of the two buildings (the parking garage and the mixed use housing) will take a long time. Most estimate 24-30 months. Many are concerned that it will drive people away from that part of the city.
Delivery of supplies for the side of the building that houses Alibi will be harder. Currently trucks can pull in behind, but presumably that back alley will be blocked. (Hunters has a back alley that’s still accessible from Wilton Drive)
Nearby businesses also worry that a major, years-long construction project will affect them as parking will be even more scarce during that time.
LGBTQIA+ Heritage
A new group, Wilton Drive Voice (WDV), has formed. It’s made up of more than two dozen area businesses that are closely watching this and other proposed developments in the city. One of their main concerns is protecting Wilton Manors as a safe space for the community.
Some worry that while LGBTQIA+ voices are thriving now, this development could leave them struggling to survive. There is no guarantee that new residents will be LGBTQIA+. While the city is open and welcoming to everyone, WDV wants to make sure that new residents and businesses respect our history and the openness we embody.
After years of debate, decision time is quickly approaching. One person told me that the city’s population, and therefore the tax base and tax revenues, must grow. And while this may be painful and jolting, it’s worth the effort.
Others say this is the beginning of the end of Wilton Manors as we know it, and the city will follow in the footsteps of Key West and Miami Beach, places embraced by LGBTQIA+ and then gentrified into upscale, heterocentric neighborhoods.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the Planning & Zoning Board meeting, tentatively set for Monday, April 17, at Wilton Manors City Hall, 2020 Wilton Drive.
