Lauderdale-by-the-Sea OKs adding Trump's name to its stretch of Commercial Boulevard

Rafael Olmeda, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Mar 11, 2026

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — It’s official: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has signed off on a plan to honor President Donald Trump by putting his name on the easternmost stretch of Commercial Boulevard. It’s a proposal met with vocal opposition, red-capped enthusiasm and more than one declaration that surely local officials have higher priorities.

By a 3-2 vote, the commission approved the Florida Legislature’s decision last week to put Donald J. Trump’s name on the 0.4-mile stretch of Commercial from West Tradewinds Avenue to Ocean Boulevard.

Now, it just awaits the governor’s signature, which is all but certain.

Tuesday night’s town commission debate drew about 50 speakers from the public who focused not only on whether the president deserved the honor of having the street named for him, but on the process that brought it to a commission vote.

Last September, in an equally contentious voted, the city voted to name Sea Grape Drive in Trump’s honor over the opposition of residents who spoke against the measure.

Trump carried Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in 2016, 2020 and 2024, but the overwhelming majority of residents who showed up to speak on the street namings opposed the initiatives.

Resident Patrick Ferguson, an opponent of the Trump designation, said he joined with others who formed a “No Politics in Paradise” group after the September vote.

The group formally proposed a charter amendment that would subject future honors to a public referendum.

That charter amendment was submitted to the city in January and has yet to be debated officially.

But the “no politics” supporters say they were blindsided when the state suddenly, and without explanation, added Trump’s name to HB 33, a bill that renamed a street in Miami-Dade County after slain activist Charlie Kirk.

“Language was snuck into a bill in Tallahassee as an amendment,” said Ferguson. “This was done because (Commercial Boulevard) is a state road and that would place it outside the authority of our planned charter amendment. This action undermines local trust in our democratic process.”

Numerous speakers echoed Ferguson’s concern, accusing some on the commission of privately petitioning the state government to bypass the residents who wanted a direct say in honorary namings.

“We followed the law,” said resident Kimberly Birch. “We exercised our rights by organizing, protesting and submitting a charter amendment so voters could decide this issue at the ballot box. … When residents follow the law, their voices should not be bypassed.”

Others said Trump deserves the honor and brushed aside the controversy.

“Donald Trump has done an excellent job as president of the United States,” said resident Spiro Marchelos, who criticized residents who have protested the Sea Grape Drive sign every Saturday since last September. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “God Bless Donald Trump and God Bless America.”

Resident Trudy Ropost was among those urging the commission to focus on weightier issues. “Don’t you all have something better to do with your time and our money?” she asked.

Voting in favor of the renaming were Mayor Edmund Malkoon, Commissioner Richard DeNapoli and Theo Poulopoulos. Voting no were Vice Mayor Randy Strauss and Commissioner John Graziano.

Ironically, opponents of the renaming may end up happier with the loss than they would have been with a victory: The road sign honoring Trump’s name on Commercial Boulevard is slated to be smaller and less conspicuous than the existing “Donald J. Trump Drive” sign at the intersection of Commercial and Sea Grape, which will be taken down as part of the same resolution passed Tuesday.

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