New Times’ photo illustration (Lauderdale-by-the-Sea photo by Dennis Bernhard/Flickr)
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The small 1.5-square-mile town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea will not have two streets named after President Donald Trump after all.
After the state legislature passed House Bill (HB) 33, which would designate a portion of Commercial Boulevard between West Tradewinds Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard,” the town commission has elected to remove its existing Trump designation at Sea Grape Drive. The bill, which now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, would become law in July 2026.
“The Department of Transportation is directed to erect suitable markers designating the transportation facilities as described in this section,” the bill reads.
At yet another contentious commission meeting on Tuesday, the commission voted 3-2 to add Trump’s name to Commercial Boulevard and remove the previous designation once the bill officially passes.
“In many ways, this resolution is actually a win-win for everyone involved,” Commissioner Richard DeNapoli said during the meeting.
Still, many residents and business owners were not pleased with the resolution, as they felt their voices were ignored.
“Our town has long been a welcoming, nonpartisan community,” a public speaker said before the commission. “As residents, many of us worry that turning our public streets into political statements changes our unique character. You were all elected to improve our community. I don’t think this decision does anything to improve our community at all. By moving this designation to Commercial Boulevard, a state road, the resolution creates a way to bypass us, the local residents.”
Last September, the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Commission approved the addition of “President Donald J. Trump Drive” to Sea Grape Drive in a 3-2 vote. DeNapoli claimed adding Trump’s name would be a boon for tourism.
“This will not hurt tourism, ” he said during last year’s meeting. “On the contrary, it will enhance it. I think we all know nobody is canceling their beach plans because of a sign. Far from driving visitors away, this will be a draw. It could even bring a presidential visit.”
Among those against the proposal, one resident called the name change “an abomination,” while another said it was “disgraceful.” Still, the item was approved, and the designation was added.
The state legislation also proposes renaming a road in front of Florida International University (FIU) in Miami-Dade County after slain conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The Commercial Boulevard designation would add to a growing list of Florida streets named after the president. Last year, the Florida legislature renamed a road near the president’s Mar-a-Lago club “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.” In 2024, the Miami-Dade County Commission officially approved Hialeah’s request to designate Palm Avenue “President Donald J. Trump Avenue.” On Wednesday, the Florida Senate passed a bill to rename a 125-mile stretch of State Road 80 in Palm Beach County “President Donald J. Trump Highway.”
Soon, visitors could fly into President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach, then drive down President Donald J. Trump Boulevard. Perhaps, Florida will one day ditch its Sunshine State nickname and instead be called the “Donald Trump State.” But for now, we’ll settle for a quaint South Florida town as it slowly but surely transitions to “Trump-by-the-Sea.”
