Steve Glassman: Arts, Infrastructure & the Future of Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman joins Hidden Florida & Beyond for a wide‑ranging, candid conversation about what’s really shaping the city—above the water, below the streets, and behind the scenes of local government.

From overseeing the world’s largest in‑water boat show to guiding massive infrastructure investments, Steve breaks down why the marine industry fuels Fort Lauderdale’s economy, how the Venetian waterways create jobs on land, and what it takes to host a global event that moves nearly a billion dollars in sales in just five days. He shares the realities of hurricane prep for boats, the surprisingly complex world of marinas and dry storage, and why protecting waterways now includes something called a pump‑out boat—yes, for exactly what you think.

The conversation goes beyond boats and beaches, diving into neighborhood revitalization, smart growth, flood mitigation, and how Fort Lauderdale is evolving without losing its soul. Steve talks about arts districts like FATVillage and Thrive, historic preservation, balancing development with character, and why investing nearly $2 billion in underground infrastructure is just as important as building what people see above ground.

We also get personal: what a city commissioner actually does day‑to‑day, why helping residents one call at a time is the most rewarding part of the job, pickleball habits shared by half the city’s leadership, hidden local restaurant gems, and why Fort Lauderdale is becoming a cultural destination—not just a beach town.

Hidden Florida & Beyond… where the real stories live beneath the surface.

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