Plantation

1. Plantation City of Wonder1st Hour AP European History 2005

2. Introduction • Welcome to a presentation of the many aspects of the City of Plantation. The following slides will cover the area’s history, government, education, community, and more. • Sit back and enjoy!

3. History

4. Plantation’s Early History • In 1906, the Army Corp of Engineers attempted to drain the Everglades and the New River. During this period, many large land sales occurred and residents were moving into the area. In 1911, a drainage district out of Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Everglades was completed in what would become Plantation. • Even through the 1920s, Broward Countyremained a frontier with little developmentand infrastructure other than the FloridaEast Coast Railway and Dixie Highway, which was barely two lanes. As the decadecontinued, so did the project to drain theEverglades and to create a canal system. These projects led to a 'land boom' in South Florida. • In 1941, Frederick C. Peters took advantage of the cheap land and bought 10,000 acres for $250,000. The area was practically undeveloped. Although the City of Plantation was not even a conception yet, the area was nicknamed Plantation because many large tracts of land were purchased by city dwellers, who called them "plantations".

5. Plantation’s Early History, continued • With a population of less than 500 and a budget of $1,288, the City of Plantation was born on April 30, 1953. The first Council Meeting was held on May 11, 1953 in an old feed warehouse near the intersection of East Acre Drive and Broward Boulevard. This site would be later used for the construction of the first City Hall, Fire Station and Police Department. Ellsworth D. Gage was the first Mayor of the City. • It was decided that local elections elections would be held on odd years; so that National, State and County elections are not in conflict. In the beginning, the elected officials did not have a salary. • In 1949, the Plantation Homeowner's Association was formed by Dr. Abram Hoffman. They were considered the unofficial government of Plantation and lived and led by their motto, "Unity-Vigilance-Security".

6. Growth of a City • Plantation came into existence a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. In 1955, the Police Department was organized because the City Council wanted to provide professional protection for residents. The City Council hired Henry C. Donath at an annual salary of $4,200 to work 8-hour shifts and to be on call 24-hours a day. One year later, a second policeman was hired onto the force. In 1957, the Plantation Volunteer Fire Department was founded by residents. • In 1956, the budget grew to $34,000 and the elected officials still were not paid. The city did not have any schools, so children were bussed to nearby Fort Lauderdale. In the Late 1950's the Florida Turnpike was opened. Mailing addresses changed from Fort Lauderdale to Plantation around 1958.

7. Growth of a City, continued • In the 1970s, Central Park and Deicke Auditorium were built, and Plantation had around 25,000 people. At the time, the city stretched from one block east of State Road 7 to Flamingo Road, a distance of about seven milesand from north of Sunrise Boulevard south to North New River Canal. The city continued to grow through the 60s and 70s, but the populationreally exploded in the 80s and 90s. By 1982, the population had grown to 50,000 and the budget was $64 million dollars. Plantation continues to flourish as a city in its own right.

8. Government

9. Plantation Government Mission Statement Our goal is to provide high quality, timely service to the Mayor, City Council, City staff, the general public and other agencies. We strive to give our citizens open access to government and to provide quick and accurate documentation and information in a friendly and helpful manner.

10. Rae Carole Armstrong was elected Mayor in 1999, and recently ran unopposed for her second term in office. Before assuming her role as Mayor, Rae Carole Armstrong was the first female City Council Member, and held that position for 16 years. During that time, she promoted and supported the local athletic leagues, street tree and community landscape programs, neighborhood enhancement, educational partnerships and other important community projects. Mayor Rae Carol Armstrong

11. The Plantation City Council consists of five members who are elected at-large. The Council is responsible for promulgating policies and ordinances. They are also responsible for approving major projects, zoning issues and the City's $100 million budget. The Council structure has a President, a Pro Tem, an honorary Treasurer and two Council Members. Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong and City CouncilL to R: Bruce Edwards, Sharon Uria, Mayor Armstrong, Diane Veltri Bendekovic, Dr. Robert Levy, Jerry Fadgen

12. Thanks to investment and beautification grants, the eastern business district, Plantation Gateway, is quickly becoming one of South Florida’s most desirable locations for redevelopment. Professional and medical office space, restaurants and retail businesses can all be found within six planned sub-districts.New residential projects include Lennar’s Park Place, a townhome community within Plantation Gateway, and Lakeside Village at Plantation, our first mixed use project in Plantation Midtown.

13. Education

14. Public Schools of Plantation • In Plantation, there are a total of 10 public schools. Listed are some of their student populations and years of establishment. • Elementary:Central Park – 1215 students; 1989Mirror Lake – 852 students; 1983Peters – 877 students; 1958PlantationPlantation ParkTropical • Middle:Plantation – 1398 students; 1970Seminole • High:Plantation – 3040 students; 1963South Plantation – 2398; 1972 • All of these schools are part of the Broward County school system, and must abide to the county’s ordnances and regulations. • There are no public colleges in the city of Plantation.

15. Elementary school boundary High school boundary School Boundary System • Since the 10 public schools of Plantation are part of the Broward County school system, their student enrollment must be based on a boundary system. • The boundary system files students into certain schools based on the location of their home. • Since there are so many more elementary schools than any other level, these schools feature smaller boundaries. • Plantation schools can feature boundaries that extend outside of the city’s boundaries. • Boundaries are a highly debated subject in the Broward County school system, because they must balance the student population of schools not only in terms of school capacity, but students’ ethical backgrounds as well.

16. Plantation Private Schools • There are approximately 14 private schools in Plantation: • Alpha Academy • American Heritage Academy • Andover Academy • The Blake School • Broward Christian School • Developmental Pre-School & Kindergarten • Jacaranda School • Laser Christian Academy • Neighborhood Kids • Our Savior Lutheran • Plantation Christian School • Plantation United Methodist • Ramat Shalom Nursery School • Seventh Day Adventists Christian School • These schools do not have to abide to the regulations and standards of the Broward County school system.

17. Plantation Libraries • Helen B. Hoffman West Regional 501 North Fig Tree Lane 8601 West Broward Blvd. Plantation, Florida 33317 Plantation, FL 33324 -Established in the 1950’s -Opened in 1983 -Major Contributors are Bill and Melinda Gates

18. Business

19. Plantation Economy • Income -Plantation's residents are relatively affluent with a median household income of $44,090 in 1994 and $46,289 in 1998. In 1998, the national median household income was $38,135. A Plantation household earns $8,154 more than the median American household. • Labor - In 1998 Plantation had a labor force of 45,198 men and women and 1,598 unemployed persons.

20. Plantation Industries

21. Major Private Employers (with more than 200 employees) American Express - 4,500Motorola - 3,500Florida Power and Light - 1,900Kemper National Services - 1,200Plantation General Hospital - 827Westside Regional Medical Center - 821InPhyNet Medical Management - 800Sears - 430J.C.: Penny - 425Cigna Dental Health - 300Burdines - 300Dillards - 215The Travelers Insurance Company -200

22. Tax

23. Population and Leisure

24. Population Timeline • 1947- The first homes are built in Plantation by Chauncey Clark. Property was valued at $200 an acre. • 1948- There are 12 homes in Plantation.  The population is 36.         - The first baby is born in Plantation: Gene Carter. • 1949- The number of homes reaches 40.         - The Plantation Homeowners organization is founded. • 1950- The city's population reaches 200. • 1958- The city's population reaches 1,600. • 1965- Plantation's population reaches 6,500. • 1970- Population booms to 23,000 people. • 1975- Population reaches 40,200. • 1982- The city's population reaches 50,000 and the city budget reaches $12 million. • 2000- The population reaches 84,000 people.

25. Population, continued General Florida population information:

26. Activities for Kids • Playgrounds -- These parks in Plantation offer playground facilities: Central Park, Deicke Park, Jim Ward Community Center, Pop Travers Field, Seminole Park, Sunset Park at Jacaranda, Volunteer Park, Liberty Tree Park., Fig Tree Park. In addition, Plantation also offers many seasonal activities just for kids: --Daddy Daughter Sock Hop: Friday, July 29th 6:30-9:30 at Volunteer Park --Free Children’s Carnival: 4th of July, 5:30-8:30 pm at Central Park. --Library Storytimes at Helen B. Hoffman Library: June 6-July 26.

27. Bars • Plantation offers a variety of clubhouses and bars for those who enjoy the night life. -Plantation Place Clubhouse -- 6750 Cypress Rd Plantation, FL 33317 -Pat’s Macabi Cigar Bar -- 801 S University Dr Plantation, FL 33324 -Hops Restaurant Bar & Brewery -- 8285 W Sunrise Blvd Plantation, FL 33322

28. Organizations • Plantation Athletic League – PAL is avolunteer athletic program that providesfor the youth of the city of Plantation,Florida. It uses city parks, athletic fieldsand facilities for games, tournamentsand practices. • Kiwanis Club – With meetings taking place at the Jacaranda Country Club, this branch of the Kiwanis International is quite active. Like other branches, their main goal is to “serve the children of the world,” and they sponsor extracurricular clubs at schools around the city, like our Key Club here at Plantation High.

29. City Parks • Central Park – Located along Central Park Drive, this park has facilities for baseball, soccer, football, tennis and track. It also has a pool and a lake, and is used in many PAL sponsored activities. • Deicke Park – Located within the depths of the Fountain Springs development,this smaller park is still a greatone for leisure. It has a volleyball net, a basketballcourt, and a large playground.

30. Restaurants • Cheesecake Factory- The Cheesecake Factory is a unique, upscale casual dining restaurant offering more than 200 menu selections including Appetizers, Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Sandwiches, and more. The menu also features specialty dishes like Chicken Madeira, Miso Salmon, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, and The Factory Burger. Famous for the 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts. • Outback Steakhouse- An Australian steakhouse open for dinner only.Although beef and steak items make up a good portion of the menu, the concept offers a variety of chicken,ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes. • Red Lobster- “Whether your family comes together over a big plate of succulent crab legs, you celebrate life's special moments by dipping into Lobster Fondue or you mark your calendar for Lobsterfest year after year, Red Lobster is undoubtedly where America goes for great tasting seafood.” – and it can be where the Plantationite goes as well!

31. Other Information

32. Plantation Fire Department * Plantation Fire Dept. is a Combination department. This means that part of the department is made up of career employees, and the other part volunteer. * With more than 250 members, PFD is the largest single volunteer fire department in the State of Florida. * The Department is made up of five major divisions. They are Suppression, Rescue, Prevention, Mechanics and Administration. Chief Robert S. Pudney

33. Plantation Fire Department • PFD operates six fire stations, with multiple fire trucks in each station. Qualifications for Fire Fighters 1. Be 18 years of age2. Be a high school graduate or possess (G-E-D)3. Must have or be eligible for a Florida Driver's license and possess a safe driving record4. Weight must be in proportion to height 5. Vision must be 20/20 or corrected6. Must be in good health as determined by a physician7. Be of good character and reputation8. Must not have been convicted of any felony or serious misdemeanor9. Must past a test for illegal drugs10. Live within 2.5 miles of Plantation corporate limits The Plantation Volunteer Fire Fighter Association was established in 1957.

34. Law Enforcement • Over 344 employees • Operating budget of 25 million dollars • Dual accreditations; Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies and Florida Commission on Law Enforcement Larry L. Massey Jr.

35. Law Enforcement • The Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division is responsible for the investigation of all narcotics and vice related activity • Crime Prevention Programs include: N.E.T. (Neighborhood Enhancement Team), Neighborhood Watch Program, Operation Identification Program, Trespass Program • The Investigations Division prepares cases to be presented to the District Attorney and includes two major crime teams that work specific cases,  including homicides, robberies, burglaries and aggravated batteries.

36. The End • Thank you for your interest in the wonderful city of Plantation, where the grass is greener!