Broward school explores plans for career center, housing, hotel
North Fork Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, located at 101 NW 15th Avenue, is slated to close within the next few months as part of the district’s plan to shut down seven low‑enrollment schools. Superintendent Howard Hepburn has recommended the closure, and the School Board will vote on the decision on Jan. 21 after a unanimous endorsement at a Dec. 8 workshop.
The district has received three formal redevelopment proposals for the campus. Junior Achievement of South Florida wants to lease the site for a “Workforce Innovation Center” that would provide career‑readiness programs for the district’s high‑school students. The proposal includes a $10 million pledge to build a new facility and has the support of local mayors, the United Way, and other community groups.
A second proposal, “Sistrunk Rising,” proposes a “cradle‑to‑career” campus that could combine a community school with an affordable‑housing complex, a teacher–family resource center, and a national‑brand hotel. The plan also outlines partnerships with the Broward Teachers Union and housing developers.
The Museum of Discovery and Science submitted a third proposal to introduce a science‑and‑technology curriculum at North Fork, contingent on the school remaining open. The museum has expressed willingness to partner with another district school if closure proceeds.
School Board members Jeff Holness and Lori Alhadeff, who represent the area, have expressed interest in proposals that produce financial benefit and community input. The Board intends to review all submissions, including any new proposals, at a forthcoming workshop before finalizing the site’s future.