Update on 431 N. L. Street...

I read a report that the building(s) had been broken into at 431 N. L. Street and somehow this reflected a deficiency in the Palm Beach County Sheriff's operation in Lake Worth.

News Flash for the astute observer - crime will continue to happen in Lake Worth - especially where you have attractive nuisances like the out buildings on this city-owned property.

Our correspondent from N. L sent this photo in which shows evidence of a break-in to one of the dilapidated outbuildings.

While the larger building was professionally secured by the city, the outbuildings along the alley were not. The boarding up of the outbuildings was done with miscellaneous lumber that was scattered about the property. The fact of the matter is that the outbuildings need to be demolished. That approval has to come from the Historic Preservation Board (aka P and Z). It's my understanding that should be coming soon, if it hasn't already. I'll check on the status this week.

Then we need to find a way to return this property to private ownership and make sure that it is restored properly - someone can convert it back to the original four unit design, or we need to find an adaptive re-use of the structure that is kind to the neighborhood.