Attorney Ryan Abrams was recently featured on WPLG Local 10’s This Week in South Florida to discuss our firm’s ongoing legal battle to protect public land on Hollywood Beach.
Representing the nonprofit group Keep Public Lands Public Inc., our firm has filed a lawsuit against the City of Hollywood and the Related Group to halt the construction of a proposed 27-story luxury high-rise on what is currently a public beachfront park and community center.
The Core of the Legal Challenge
While the developer is attempting to use Florida’s Live Local Act to bypass local zoning laws and build a massive residential tower, our lawsuit highlights a critical legal barrier:
- The 1974 Deed Restrictions: When this beachfront property was originally deeded to the city over 50 years ago, it came with strict, legally binding restrictions.
- Public Use Mandate: The deed explicitly dictates that the land must exclusively remain open space for park, recreational, and public municipal purposes.
- The Law Over the Act: We argue that state zoning incentives under the Live Local Act cannot retroactively wipe out private property covenants and explicit deed restrictions meant to protect public infrastructure.
Protecting Our Communities
This case represents a critical turning point for South Florida. If developers can override historic deeds to privatize public parks, no community green space is safe. Our firm remains entirely committed to holding local governments accountable and ensuring that public land stays in the hands of the public.
