The day we all celebrated the life of a dear friend and our Gulfstream Hotel in Downtown Lake Worth.

Monday, August 15th, 2016.

We gathered that day to celebrate the life and hard work of Loretta Sharpe on the patio of the Gulfstream Hotel on hearing the news, “The Petition for Writ of Certiorari is DENIED” (see below). Our dear friend Loretta was not there that day to celebrate with us.

Loretta passed away on January 26th, 2016. But it was acknowledged by all it was Loretta’s persistence and willingness to fight that saved the Gulfstream Hotel.

Click on image to enlarge:

This celebration last August was short-lived; shortly thereafter an appeal was filed. Then on March 31st, 2017 the 4th District Court of Appeals upheld the previous court ruling: nothing could now stop the Gulfstream Hotel project from moving forward.

Another photo from the north patio of the Gulfstream Hotel in August 2016.

Excerpts from The Lake Worth Herald last August, the news that brought everyone to gather on the patio of the Gulfstream Hotel:

A three-judge Appellate Panel of the Circuit Court unanimously issued a ruling that states: “The Petition for Writ of Certiorari is DENIED.”
     The decision is the Court’s rejection of an effort that would have resulted in thwarting the revitalization of the Gulfstream Hotel and the 12-block surrounding area known as Lake Worth’s Hotel District.
     In February, the City was challenged by three citizens, Linda Mahoney, Roseanne Malakates and former City Commissioner JoAnn Golden about whether construction of a 65-ft new building expansion of the Gulfstream Hotel was in compliance with downtown height limits.

and. . .

     Asked what their plans were now, Steven Michael of Hudson Holdings said, they plan on moving forward and said there were never any other plans. Hudson Holdings was unable to move forward until the lawsuit was over. City of Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo said she is thankful for Judges’ decision.
     “This community has longed for the reopening of our beautiful, historic hotel and this decision now clears the way,” said Mayor Triolo. “The Gulfstream Hotel will revitalize the community and serve as a catalyst in our Downtown, to bring in much-needed tourism for our businesses and great lodging for the friends and relatives of our residents.”