FORT LAUDERDALE — A controversial plan to remove the tree-lined median on Las Olas to make way for wider sidewalks has some wondering why the city wants to mess with the iconic look of one of Fort Lauderdale’s most famous streets.
On Sunday, critics of the plan gathered for a “Save the Trees” rally at Tunnel Top Plaza right on Las Olas.
Chris Nelson, the Fort Lauderdale activist who organized the rally, said he wants to bring attention to what some are calling a crazy plan expected to cost millions of dollars.
“When you Google Fort Lauderdale, what’s the first thing that comes up?” Nelson asked the crowd. “Las Olas. What makes it iconic? These beautiful olive trees.”
Under a long-planned redesign expected to cost at least $167 million , the trees would disappear and so would the landscaped median just east of Federal Highway.
Today, four blocks of olive trees line Las Olas. The trees — 16 in all — were planted decades ago, standing in all their glory in medians that start at Federal Highway and end just west of Southeast 11 Avenue.