We, the undersigned, call on the Fort Lauderdale Mayor and City Commissioners to not revoke the 4AM liquor licenses for Downtown Fort Lauderdale and to halt zoning changes like the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) ordinance that quietly undermine the district’s future.

This move threatens not only nightlife culture but the livelihoods of hundreds of service industry workers, small business owners, and late-night patrons who contribute to the heart of this city.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

For decades, Downtown Fort Lauderdale has thrived on its vibrant, inclusive, and after-dark energy, from tourists to locals, industry professionals to creatives. The 4AM license has made it possible for bars, nightclubs, and lounges to operate sustainably, generate revenue, and provide safe late-night spaces.

Removing the 4AM license doesn’t just cut a few hours, it cuts:

    •    Jobs for bartenders, security personnel, DJs, servers & kitchen staff
    •    Revenue for small, independently owned businesses
    •    Culture and nightlife that put Fort Lauderdale on the map
    •    Tourism dollars that support the broader economy

This decision favors developers and special interests over the working people who helped build this city. It’s a quiet, bureaucratic way of erasing Fort Lauderdale’s personality, one early last call at a time.

WHAT WE’RE ASKING FOR:

We urge the Fort Lauderdale City Commission to:

• Keep the 4AM licenses for impacted businesses.
• Support late-night workers and entrepreneurs who depend on nightlife to make a living.
• Stop zoning changes like the TDR ordinance that quietly pave the way for demolishing historic nightlife venues.
• Stop policies that silence the city’s culture to benefit big developers.

SIGN THIS PETITION

Add your name and tell Fort Lauderdale’s leadership:
“Our nights are vital. Our jobs are at stake. Our city deserves a future.”

UPDATE – A Bigger Threat Is Quietly Moving Forward
On May 6, 2025, the City Commission passed the first vote on a zoning change (File #25-0475) that allows developers to shift building rights from one property to another using something called the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. It sounds technical, but here’s the real danger:

If historic nightlife buildings lose their designation, those development rights can be sold off and the property becomes ripe for demolition or luxury redevelopment. This is the backdoor way to kill Himmarshee without ever saying it out loud.

We’re fighting not just for our 4 AM licenses, we’re fighting for the future of the entire district.