Compass and the City of Lake Worth face a future full of opportunities. Last year, I had the opportunity to meet with the Board of Directors of Compass. I shared some of the broader trends and possibilities that the community will experience in the coming years. The gist of the discussion was the fact that Compass will now occupy a city-owned building is only the beginning of a long term, successful and synergistic relationship. The building finds itself in the center of a city with a rich history, an established gay and lesbian community and one that is positioned within the coastal geographic center of Palm Beach County. In short, Lake Worth and Compass are uniquely placed to take advantage of programs, policies and progress related to heightened environmental awareness in the world's population.
Founded in 1912, Lake Worth already has six distinct local and national historic districts. Restoration and new construction sensitive to the historic nature of those districts is regulated by the City's Historic Resource Preservation Board. This reflects the citizens' understanding of the authentic character of the city and the need to preserve that trait. Even so, creativity is encouraged in property owner's attempts to re-use and adapt these historic structures to reflect present day realities. The Compass building nearly sits in the shadow of the current Lake Worth City Hall which is housed in an ornate building, complete with towers and turrets, that originally served as the City's Municipal Auditorium. It is part of the Old Town National Historic District. Thus, our city's past creates a special fingerprint that is as distinct and unusual as a good portion of the city's residents.
Other physical qualities distinguish Lake Worth from more run-of-the-mill cities in the south Florida region. You would be hard pressed to find another municipality that has preserved as much public land along bodies water than Lake Worth. From it's own signature Atlantic Ocean beachfront property - with a special history all of its own - to the public golf course and Bryant Park along the west edge of the Lake Worth lagoon, Lake Worth offers more public water access and views than any other community its size. Even with these strengths, downtown Lake Worth still retains its small town look and feel.
In the next five to ten years, Lake Worth stands to gain from renewed emphasis on the importance of mass transit. The eastern rail line through the city (Florida East Coast) is likely to host a new short hop transit service to other downtown locations throughout the south Florida region. This will bring new opportunities for development with a transit, as opposed to single passenger automobile, orientation. Already there are private and public initiatives underway to make Lake Worth a leader in the green building and planning movement. Compass is now uniquely situated to be a participant and a beneficiary of all that is to come. I am sure that nothing but good can come from this collaboration.
![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhHyCn84ZIQ/WezjlEL-0tI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/CzkhriK6zpEJJ3d9Je1495d49gIhnMlxACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
