Videos and background: Default Declaration on Lake Worth Casino Building Architect and Contractor

There are observations by Yours Truly below.


A couple of things to note here. By watching and listening to these videos, you will learn the City is done with being patient and is ready to declare both the contractor and architect in default as it relates to the construction of the Casino building. The building is operating under a temporary Certificate of Occupancy due to a number of outstanding flaws. Chief among these flaws is water intrusion. This is more than just a problem when it rains. Ultimately, it will affect the integrity of the building and negatively impact the value of the City's investment in it.

The volume of information on this topic throughout the years on this blog is voluminous to say the least. Here is a short synopsis.

What follows is the Reader's Digest-like version of how the City got into this position. The City had no one with the required construction expertise to watch over the project while it was underway. Mistakenly, many people (including The Obtuse Blogger [TOB]), wrongfully thought that the contractor, Morganti, was working for Lake Worth on the City's behalf. That is half true. Morganti was working for the City on Morganti's behalf. Likewise, so was the architect. Both were chosen by a Commission which included Christopher McVoy, JoAnn Golden, Suzanne Mulvehill, Rene Varela and Rachel Waterman. The project was during the administration of Susan Stanton as City Manager.

Let's remember the progression of this project. The City unilaterally broke off the private/public partnership with Greater Bay that ended up in years of litigation. The City spends almost $1 million in defense of itself in the matter, only to settle out of court by paying Greater Bay $1.4 million. The City Commission at the time, particularly Suzanne Mulvehill, promised to SAVE the Casino building. The architect chosen by the City Commission at the time used that as its prime criterion in the selection process. The Casino building was then 94% demolished.

This is how the SAVED Casino building looked in July 2011.

Looking southwest at the area that eventually would house Mulligans.

Jump to 2012 and early 2013 upon the cessation of construction activity, the City was left with a building that leaked and many pieces and hardware already showing signs of corrosion. The building not being watertight contributed to the City's inability leasing the upstairs restaurant space which is still vacant today.

Listening to the video from last night, the City has been working with an expert on construction law, Mr. Kennedy, for the past two and a half years to resolve these outstanding issues. This was brought to a head last night and the City Commission nearly declared the contractor, architect and the contractor's bond company in default. The item ended up being tabled, by a unanimous vote, to be considered at the next Commission meeting. It was hoped that all the parties could reach some conclusion and resolution/solution to the problems present in the building.

Interestingly, in the second video, the time for public comment came around. It so happens that former Commissioner JoAnn Golden had submitted a card indicating that she had wanted to speak on this item. She didn't speak and ran out of the room when her name was called. It appears that after hearing what was said she had no interest in speaking and high-tailed it home. TOB left the room right behind her.

So, stay tuned for more on this news on this blog (and from other sources, if any) leading up to the next City Commission meeting.