The days may be numbered for the giant wooden roller coaster off I-95. The iconic Dania Beach Hurricane, which may soon have a new owner who has no intention of keeping it around.
Aventura-based has a contract on the land underneath the millions of feet of wood and concrete to build what it calls DaniaLive. The development will include shops, a hotel, restaurants and apartments.
Bob Shapiro is president of the development company. He says, unlike the roller coaster, this development will be a place that the community can gather.
“The rollercoaster has had its day,” Shapiro says. “It never really was very profitable. You know, it looked nice but it never really did anything economically. … [DaniaLive] becomes a major destination landmark for the next, you know 50 years.”
The development intends to attract tourists coming into the Fort Lauderdale Airport and cruise ship passengers traveling through Port Everglades.
Shapiro hopes to break ground early next year but he is waiting for final zoning approval.