The takeaway from last night's ITN committee meeting vis-à-vis "the BEACH!"

According to what was said by members of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) selection committee, especially William Waters (Lake Worth Community Sustainability Director), there are far too many problems present in the existing beach plan to determine if current zoning regulations are appropriate for any other change to the Casino/pool complex. The committee decided to sunset itself after recommending that the City Commission go forward with the Anderson Carr proposal regarding the use of the second floor space. This was done with the caveat that something be done to accommodate a valet parking system, address some accessibility issues and some basic building design issues. They didn't have a recommendation on the Hudson Holdings (HH) proposal, even though it had been through many iterations and HH had responded to the committee's questions.

What came out of last night was a recommendation that the City Commission go out for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to study existing and potential traffic generation scenarios, look at problems that can be fixed related to traffic circulation, ADA accessibility, separation of vehicles/pedestrians/bikes, study changes in parking lot lighting—especially the western lot. There were other issues identified and you will be able to see them once I post the video of the meeting. The study will address what, if anything, is feasible to add to what is already there at the Casino Complex and incorporate the use of a public charrette to solicit input on the changes. The study will likely cost approximately $50,000 and take about six months to complete.

So, everyone can put away the worry beads for now. By the way, there was no discussion about the sale or 99 year lease of any part of the beach. Sorry to disappoint conspiracy theorists and those with red signs. Time to manufacture another crisis.

Check back from time to time to read about the Casino complex. William Waters and Juan Ruiz (Recreation Department Director) have confirmed what I have been saying and writing for years now. The complex is a mess. William Waters confirmed that the staff at the time was ill-prepared to handle such a large project. Who was in charge of staff at the time?

NOTE: Expect to hear a lot about turtle lighting west of the Casino complex. According to Commissioner Andy Amoroso and Juan Ruiz they have gotten hundreds of complaints about the poor lighting. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed quickly. One of the members of the ITN committee quipped of the city being lucky there hasn't been a major incident thus far. Expect this to be on the city agenda very soon.