By Lisa J. Huriash, from South Florida Sun Sentinel

The fast-growing city of Pompano Beach is poised to grow even bigger — with a $2 billion, 75-acre revamped downtown envisioned to lure people with new residences, stores, offices as well as a water feature that could span as far as 12 city blocks. An artist’s rendering shows the extent of what’s possible: Many new multi-story buildings would flank a pedestrian-friendly, community-oriented grassy area that is centered around the waterway, with ample gathering spots for people to enjoy the day, go for a stroll and spend money.

Nguyen Tran, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency director, on Wednesday addressed a roomful of real estate agents to get them excited about what’s in the works, what’s still to come, and to pass it along to their clientele.

Pompano Beach is in the midst of a development boom, with recent projects proposed for the beachfront as well as reshaping the downtown. He unveiled new details about the many plans afoot citywide. “Pompano has changed,” he told them. “You can feel it. You can feel the cusp of the boom coming up.”

[…]

Oceanside

New condos, hotels and restaurants are envisioned for the beachfront, including more than a half-dozen luxury-brand companies, such as the Ritz-Carlton, the Waldorf Astoria, and Armani/Casa, which is named after the famed Italian designer Giorgio Armani.

And more projects keep coming to the city’s eastern side. A South Florida Sun Sentinel news article from August detailed about a dozen projects, including some reaching more than 20 stories, in that part of the city that either were under review, under construction or proposed.

Plans for a new 24-story tower under the luxury W Hotels brand were announced by a team of developers in November, set to rise at one of Pompano Beach’s most prominent beachside locations, at 20 N. Ocean Drive.

[…]

“It’s incredible what’s going on,” said Alexandra Binkley, a Realtor who attended Tran’s presentation. “Billions of dollars are being poured into Pompano.” She said she is telling her clients that it’s more affordable than Fort Lauderdale, which she feels it can be “hard to find anything that makes sense for growth and appreciation.” She’s urging her clients to take the plunge: “If people don’t get in on it now, they won’t be able to buy.”

Read full story at: $2 billion Pompano Beach downtown makeover: Big plans ahead