Several years ago, the Seven Isles HOA met with the city and other parties with a request to have utilities in Seven Isles placed underground. The HOA also conferred with homeowners, creating simulated before and after photos of this neighborhood enhancement. Homeowners agreed to the work, and Seven Isles was placed on the list for future underground utilities.
Recently, I have been in contact with Raj Verma, Director of Public Works for the City of Fort Lauderdale, as well as Victor Carosi, Assistant Public Works Director, related to a start date for our underground utilities. By way of background, Las Olas Isles recently became the first Isles neighborhood to commence work on underground utilities. According to Verma, the city intends to utilize the project management experiences with Las Olas Isles to set up necessary policies and procedures to then apply efficient processes for additional neighborhoods, including Seven Isles.
In mid-February, I was notified by AT&T that they intend to commence underground boring and digging in right-of-ways for installation of new fiber and conduit for a new high speed network in Seven Isles. Considering the disruption this could cause without the coordination of other utility companies, I requested further clarification from AT&T, as well as engaged the city in spearheading coordination of this process so that we can synergize the underground work of all utility companies at the same time. In speaking further with AT&T, I was also advised that the majority of their work will be aerial, with minimal need to dig under driveways or swales. Individual homeowner permission is not necessary, since all work will be completed in the Right-of-Ways. However, I was also assured that no work will commence without homeowners being contacted directly by AT&T (or other utility companies) via printed door hangers on doors. AT&T also advised that this work will be done at no cost to homeowners. A start day of around May-June is an early estimate, with work taking approximately 5-6 weeks. No information has been received to date from other utility companies.
Please be advised that this information can evolve. The Seven Isles HOA will advise residents as more information becomes available over the coming months.