FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The tree will be moved and the new lofts will go up.
Commissioners made the vote early Wednesday morning 3-1 to move the giant African Rain Tree. The 90-year-old tree will be uprooted and replanted at a nearby park. Despite protestors voicing their concerns that the tree could die if it were moved.
The commissioners also gave the Marina Lofts the green light, voting 4-1 to approve the project which will rise up along the New River.
Project developers also agreed to reduce the number of units from 960 to 856, and lowering the tallest building from 33 stories to 30 stories. The change of blueprint was made after protesters raised concerns regarding smaller adjacent neighborhoods.
Developers will cover the cost of moving the mammoth size rain tree which will set them back $1 million.