News: Economic development in the little City of Lake Worth (and why you need to support LOCAL newspapers).

Front page news (see below) about economic development, new construction, and more businesses opening up in the City of Lake Worth was reported in The Lake Worth Herald just recently.

And, of course, everyone else in the press is jumping on the bandwagon now which is to be expected.

The so-called ‘mainstream’ press and news media uses a much different model now to gauge public interest than do local newspapers like the Herald. Reporters at the Herald attend meetings and neighborhood groups, contact public officials and staff (not just when it’s convenient for a story), and they don’t go about “shamelessly” over-hyping stories like a tabloid would.

A classic example of over-hyping was a ridiculous news report last Christmas when a Palm Beach Post beat reporter tried to make the closing of a Downtown chocolate store a huge story — which it wasn’t — a non-story to try and sell more newspapers suggesting our Downtown was suffering from a lack of foot traffic. Nonsense.

[The real story was Hoffman’s couldn’t compete with Kilwins Chocolates on Lake Ave. And don’t forget Kilwins at the Lake Worth Beach too!]

For example, Reporter Will Oremus explained how the news reporting process works in the present day: 

“[S]hamelessly covering and promoting the most crowd-pleasing stories. . . . What it probably won’t mean is robust, daily coverage of such institutions as city hall, the statehouse, and the local schools.”

The oft-cited observations on this blog by reporter Jennifer Brandel:

“So how do newsrooms determine what the audience wants? They’re increasingly looking to analytics for answers. With finer and finer grain metrics, they pore over which of the newsroom’s offerings get the most clicks, shares, time on site, or whatever the metric du jour is. They then do their best to repeat whatever they believe was the magic ingredient of the story’s success.”

Does that remind you of a certain crime that occurred in Downtown Lake Worth three weeks ago?

Remember the blaring headlines in the Post and stories that followed for a week with little new to report? What was the point? Just for more smartphone and Facebook clicks and selling a few more newspapers?

Anyhow. . .

Here’s the latest news (with emphasis added) from your LOCAL City of Lake Worth newspaper, the Herald:

The City of Lake Worth has suffered through empty buildings on Lake and Lucerne Avenues and up and down Dixie Highway. There was a period of years through which there were no applications for commercial building permits in the City.
     Times have changed, there are a number of new building permits pulled for Dixie Highway and along Lake and Lucerne Avenues. Second Avenue North and Dixie Highway sport two construction projects which are bringing new businesses to town. Starbucks will be occupying part of the southwest corner of 2nd Avenue North and Dixie while TD Bank is building on the southeast corner.
     12th Avenue North has seen a major renovation of the former Chuck’s Appliance building and it is said to be preparing to house a controversial Medical Marijuana Dispensary. 7-11 is building a new store on the southwest corner of 10th Avenue North and another Medical Marijuana Dispensary has renovated the building on the southeast corner of Lake Avenue and Dixie Highway.
     Mathews Brewing Company has remodeled the building on the Northeast corner of 2nd Avenue South and H Street (the former home of The Lake Worth Herald).
     Many fault a former commission for the lack of progress, many fault the Building Department. The policy changes made by the commission majority over the past few years and the direction of City Manager Michael Bornstein has led to more economic growth in the city in the past two years than in nearly a decade before.
     With the efforts being made to find ways to accommodate parking along Dixie Highway, It shouldn’t be long before the empty buildings are occupied by vibrant new businesses.

Remember, the City of Lake Worth isn’t just charming any more. We’re VIBRANT too!

Support your LOCAL newspapers: The Lake Worth Herald and Coastal/Greenacres Observer.

Use this link for the online editions. Contact the editor at 561-585-9387. Pick up the print edition
at the City’s newsstand at 600 Lake Ave.
in the Downtown.

“Art Lofts Of West Village In Lake Worth Announces Purchase Assistance To Artist Households”.

There’s more news from the Rickie Report:

“The Rickie Report shares this Call for Artists* to join 12 current resident artists in the West Village of Lake Worth. Each townhome includes street level studio space with attached garage, 2 bedrooms and 2½ baths. Delivery is planned for Early 2018.”

To learn more about the Art Lofts of West Village “in the heart of Lake Worth, Florida” use this link or call Michael Pecar at 305-401-7405.

Across the street from HATCH this location is walkable, close to Downtown, groceries (3 blocks), Tri-Rail (½ mile), and ride your bike to the beach.

“The Art Lofts of West Village in Lake Worth announces purchase assistance is available. Eight new townhomes with ground level studios are under construction and will be sold to Artist households. Purchase assistance is available to qualified buyers, if you or a member of your household is an artist and can afford a mortgage of approximately $150,000. This is phase 2 of 20 total live-work townhomes in the West Village located at the corner of Lucerne Avenue and F Street across from the Lake Worth Arts Center [HATCH].”

*“Artist” — An individual with a record of professional accomplishment demonstrated through continuous public presentation and peer acceptance as either an emerging artist of outstanding promise or as an established artist with a recognized body of work. A determination of “artist” status is dependent on experience, reputation and achievements verified through a résumé, letters of recommendation and support materials. Determination can also be made by the applicant’s job description and years working in an art-related field. This could include such trades or occupations as architect, graphic and web designers, theater, teaching in an art-related field, writers, interior decorators and others that work in an art-professional field. Presentation to a screening committee is required.

“Boil Water Notices” in the City. Information you need to know is provided below.

On the issue of “Boil Water Notices” this may be a good time to consider a switch to clean and affordable natural gas if your neighborhood is one that has that option available. For example, during periods of extended “Boil Water Notices”, such as after a major storm, with natural gas you can still boil water and cook food. If you have an electric stove that’s not possible if the electric is out for an extended period of time.

To learn more contact Florida Public Utilities at 800-427-7712 or use this link to find out more. Remember, 9 out of 10 professional chefs prefer cooking with natural gas.

On social media and elsewhere in the City of Lake Worth there’s been concern about “Precautionary” and other kinds of notices (see image below) about the water supply that comes from the water plant in the City of Lake Worth, through pipes (many which need to be replaced), and then into your home and out of the tap.

Some have been asking questions about what is happening vis-à-vis the noticeable increase in notices from the City. Note that every question one has can be found with just a quick search: type the words, “boil water” into the search bar at the top of the City’s website.

Going forward there are going to be a whole lot more notices when major projects begin to fix all the water lines and infrastructure in this City.

From the City’s website, when this infrastructure project is complete, you will have:

• Better water pressure.
• Clear and better tasting water.
• Fewer boil water notices.
• Reduced maintenance costs for the City.

These notices are not intended to send anyone into a state of apprehension or uneasiness. It’s required by law to issue “Boil Water Notices” when there is any activity in neighborhoods — e.g., construction, maintenance, pipe replacements, etc. — notices to keep the public informed and instructions on what to do.

Here is an example on the City’s website:

Below is more information on the City’s website: “Lake Worth Water Utilities, At Your Fingertips”:

Introducing Lake Worth Water. . .

“Lake Worth has embarked on an ambitious Capital Improvements Project that will replace many of the water pipes which were installed in Lake Worth 50–60 years ago. The project will span six years. Replacing the severely corroded water pipes will provide better water pressure to customers and require little maintenance by city workers.”

Need more information? Here’s another link to the City’s website.

Sometimes the best source for information is your very own “official” City of Lake Worth.

Schedule below: Lake Worth High School Trojans Football. First game next Friday on the home field.

This historic depiction is from “Palm Beaches Remembered”. Click on image to enlarge.

To learn more about Athletic programs at Lake Worth High School use this link.

Schedule, home games in bold:

Go Trojans!

• September 1 vs Palm Beach Lakes
• September 8 vs Palm Beach Gardens
• September 15 at Park Vista
• September 22 vs Spanish River
• September 29 vs Santaluces
• October 6 at Glades Central
• October 13 vs Boca Raton
• October 20 at Atlantic
• October 27 at John I Leonard
• November 3 at Boynton Beach

Have a business or restaurant in the “Heart of Palm Beach County”? Have a story to tell but local beat reporter never calls back?

“Where is the Heart of Palm
Beach County?”

This is an area that includes all or part of 7 cities (Atlantis, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth, Lake Clarke Shores, Lantana, and Palm Springs) and includes the unincorporated “Lake Worth Corridor”, for example, Palm Beach County College, John Prince Park, and the nearby airport.

Do you have a business in this area? Do reporters from The Palm Beach Post return your calls?

What if I told you there’s a solution to your problem? There is! Learn the “Five Tips” below.

Have you been reading the Post and wondering how businesses in the City of Lake Worth get so much attention and your business — let’s say in or near the City of Greenacres or Palm Springs — never get a call back from a reporter?

Or do you have a business in Lake Clarke Shores or near JFK Hospital, maybe a new eatery in the Village of Palm Springs and have been trying forever to get noticed but no response after repeated calls and emails?

Then learn the “Five Tips” from the Business Editor at the Post.

Businesses in the City of Lake Worth that have learned to employ these tips, first published in August of 2016, have gone on to excel at getting noticed in the Post, especially new Hipster eateries in the Downtown and establishments such as World Thrift as well:

• Know whom you want to reach out to, the editor writes, “. . . the trick is reaching to the right journalist.” For example, sending information to a beat reporter may not be the best option. Have you considered a business reporter? An entertainment reporter?
• Who’s your audience? “So, tell us how many followers do you have on Twitter? How many friends/fans do you have on Facebook?”
• Local, local, local, “. . . there must be a direct and definite Palm Beach County connection.”
• Newsmakers, “Some of the best-read content we produce isn’t on the front page.” For example, per the Business Editor, try to get your business mentioned in the “weekly Newsmakers section”.
• Video, “So if your business has ‘good visuals,’ drop in a link to some B-roll video that we can attach to the story.”

Reports are these “Five Tips” do indeed work. Have you seen how busy World Thrift is lately? Noticed the parking lots, including the new one recently paved and landscaped, are almost always filled with shoppers?

Item on P&Z Board agenda next month, “to allow for outdoor storage of boats, recreational vehicles, and trailers, etc.” in the POC.

First, do you know where the Park of
Commerce (POC) is?

Use this link to learn more about that area in the City located west of I-95. Past administrations have tried and failed for 25–30 years to make the POC a contributor to the City’s commercial tax base. Hard to believe now, but some former electeds “back in the day” were so desperate to have something happen in the POC, anything at all, even a chicken farm was suggested. Luckily, that idea didn’t go very far.

For the map of the POC, “Fast Facts”, progress updates, and more information, use this link to the City’s official website.

Anyhow. . .

The City of Lake Worth’s Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board meets the first Wednesday of the month; the next meeting is September 6th at 6:00 in City Hall:

Members review site plans and make recommendations to the City Commission for the development of residential (≥ 3 units) and all commercial properties.

Below are excerpts from a public notice that appears in The Lake Worth Herald today (p. 10, center column):

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning & Zoning Board City of Lake Worth, Florida, will hold a public hearing in the City Hall Commission Chambers . . . to re-consider the conditions of approval by the Palm Beach Mobile Home Park, Applicant on behalf of Riverstone Communities LLC, Owner, for the following:

PZB Project# 17-00500007: A request for a Conditional Use permit to allow for outdoor storage of boats, recreational vehicles and trailers, etc. The subject site is located at 2003 7th Avenue North PCN 38-43-44-20-01-060-0020 in the Industrial Park of Commerce (IPOC) zoning district pursuant to Sections 23.2-29 of the Land Development Regulations.

and. . .

For additional information on the above issues, please visit the City of Lake Worth Division of Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation located at 1900 Second Ave. North, Lake Worth, Florida 33461 or contact City Staff at 561-586-1687.

Here come the PACs! Just in time for the March 2018 elections.

The latest new PAC in “Lake Worth” is the
Palm Beach County Green Party.

But there are a few problems the Supervisor of Elections office seems to have overlooked.

Click on image to enlarge:

The Zip Code is wrong and there are other problems. Hayden Drive is in the Town of Palm Springs,
not the City of Lake Worth.

The Zip Code on the treasurer’s report should be 33461. And another thing: there is an expenditure but this PAC shows “$0.00” in contributions. If you’re interested in learning more about this PAC go to the Supervisor of Elections office and ask to see the file.

To see the current list of Political Action Committees (PACs) here in Palm Beach County use this link to the Supervisor of Elections website. Imagine my surprise a few months back to find out two PACs in particular are no longer on the list. One of those not listed any longer is the “Forced To Farm” PAC.

Former Lake Worth Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill, the champion of resiliency, sustainability, anti-development, etc., while an elected commissioner here in the City of Lake Worth later became Chair of the Forced to Farm PAC that was organized to loosen regulations on land development in the Ag Reserve. Try to wrap your head around that one.

And there’s another PAC that’s not on the list any more: Citizens Against Unfair Taxation (CAUT). You may recall the kerfuffle when the Chair of CAUT lost control at a City Commission workshop last year:

We learned at this City Commission workshop that because that Katie McGiveron's CAUT PAC scuttled the LW2020 bond to fix the roads and potholes BY JUST 25 VOTES in 2014 it will now cost $9 million more to fix the City’s roads.
     At the end of the City’s workshop McGiveron went completely nuts to the shock of nearly everyone in the chamber and the meeting was shut down. At one point Vice Mayor Maxwell was heard saying, “Is there a doctor in the house?”

The CAUT PAC is no more:

CAUT may be gone, but there’s still the “Save Our Neighborhood” PAC:

A “Waiver of Report” from last year. Click on image to enlarge:

Use this link to download one of this PACs latest treasurer reports. By the way, where exactly is “Our Neighborhood” they’re trying to “Save”?

UPDATE: Swim advisory lifted at Lake Worth’s beach.

For more information contact Mr. Ben Kerr, the City’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631; email: Bkerr@lakeworth.org

Press Release dated today, August 24th.

Lake Worth, Florida — The recent swim advisory (August 22) issued at Lake Worth Beach has been lifted. Follow up testing undertaken on Wednesday (August 23) by the Water Operations Section of the FDOH PBC Environmental Public Health unit has confirmed that Lake Worth Beach’s water quality is “Good” and presents no risk to the bathing public.

“We are LAKE WORTH. A hometown City that is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service through a commitment to integrity, hard work and a friendly attitude. We strive to exceed the expectations of our citizens, our businesses, our elected officials and our fellow employees.”

Coffee & “Conversation With a Deputy” at Starbucks in Downtown Lake Worth.

Thursday, September 7th from 1:00–2:00.

“No speeches. No agenda.”

Here’s a question: “The PBSO Golf Tournament
for the Christmas Toy Giveaway was held in the
Great Walled City of Atlantis last year. This year
it’s at the Westchester golf course in suburban
Boynton Beach. What gives?”

Whilst on the subject of golf courses,
did you hear about this news?

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced [August 1st] that Lake Worth Golf Club, located in the city of Lake Worth in Palm Beach County, has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of August.

“We are pleased to feature Lake Worth Golf Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “Today’s golfers can enjoy playing on this historic course on the picturesque banks of Lake Worth, where it was created more than 90 years ago.”

And did you know Babe Ruth played golf here
in the little City of Lake Worth? It’s true.

Mike May, a world-famous golf writer based in South Florida called the Lake Worth Golf Course, “one of forgotten gems” and. . . “was a winter golfing destination for former baseball slugger
Babe Ruth, back in the day!”

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, “Come On Inside, The Culture’s Fine In The Palm Beaches”.

Currently at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County in City of Lake Worth:

The Cultural Council Biennial 2017, a juried exhibition of works by Palm Beach County artists, is on view through September 2. Through September 23, the Council is exhibiting the works of nine Palm Beach County artists/members of the prestigious Florida Artists Group (FLAG).
     Be sure to explore the Council’s Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store for artist-made jewelry, whimsical and practical items, books and more, produced in Palm Beach County.

For more information contact:

• Judith Czelusniak
• 561-471-1602
• Email: Judith@palmbeachculture.com

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County* is located at 601 Lake Ave. in the City of Lake Worth’s vibrant Downtown. The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store are open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday.

Across ‘L’ Street is a public parking lot and plenty of FREE street parking nearby.

The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, an iconic Streamline Moderne former movie theater in Downtown Lake Worth.

LAKE WORTH, Fla., Aug., 2017 /USNewswire/ — Travelers who want a sunny vacation with a dose of culture, and those looking for a beach break that’s fun in any weather, are seeking out The Palm Beaches for the best of both worlds.
     More and more travelers are choosing to visit Palm Beach County year round, as a destination with as many indoor delights as there are outdoor diversions. A vacation to The Palm Beaches is a feast for the senses and for the soul, with lush natural beauty and pristine shores, plus indoor exhibitions and cultural experiences that guarantee a memorable visit in any weather — for beachgoers and the sun-shy alike.

*For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect with the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County or call 561-471-2901. To plan your own personalized cultural itinerary and explore options curated just for you, connect with the Cultural Concierge.

Dear Lappeenranta, Finland. Our City’s Sister City Board is being eliminated. But please don’t give up hope.

To Our Dear Friends and Forgotten Sister City in Lappeenranta,

The City of Lake Worth’s Sister City Board has to be eliminated. There was no other option since becoming a “political football” (please take no offense, that’s a reference to American football, not to European soccer or Australian rugby, both fine sports as well).

The Lake Worth City Commission has eliminated the Sister City Board. The responsibility now to further the City’s Sister City goals will be taken over by another entity or entities, e.g., LULA Lake Worth Arts (the home of “HATCH 1121”), the team at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council located in Downtown Lake Worth, or maybe a collaboration of the two.

So. Dear Citizens of Lappeenranta: Please keep us in your thoughts as the City continues to struggle with objectives other cities accomplish so easily. For example, the cities of Boynton Beach (Sister City of Rauma, Finland), Jupiter, and Delray Beach, also in Palm Beach County, have thriving Sister City programs.

In the meantime, Citizens of Lappeenranta, think about visiting the City of Lake Worth next March for our Midnight Sun Festival:

Palm Beach Post reporter Michael Readling wrote a feature article about this event last March.

A message for our good friends in Finland:
Start planning your Winter/Spring vacation
in Lake Worth, Florida.

Correction. In the comment section below is this left by a reader:

“Tervetuloa Floridaan! Taalla on paljon toimintaa. Suomalaisia klubeja on kaksi ja seurakuntiakin monta. Correction to blog above Tourist Club is actually the Finland House or Suomi Talo and American Finnish Club used to be called Kerhotalo. Both have fantastic people and activities and carry on the traditions of Finnish culture.”

Sincerely apologize for any confusion.

If anyone from Finland wishes to come to Lake Worth and demand a personal apology will most certainly comply. We can meet at the Lake Worth Casino or would you rather meet at the golf course also open all year long next to the Intracoastal Waterway?

The Finnish people have a long history in Lake Worth, Florida. The American Finnish Club, the oldest Finnish hall in Florida, is located only minutes from the City. Here is from their website about their history:

     “Finns took up residence in Florida much later than in other sections of the country since the warm climate didn’t draw them from the northern parts of the United States and from Canada until well into this [the 20th] century.
     However, by the year 1937 Finns had arrived in sufficient numbers in the Lake Worth-Lantana area to join in group activities, calling themselves the Tourist Club. The prime objective in the beginning was to aid its member’s or their parent’s homeland, Finland which was engaged in the struggle to maintain its freedom during the beginning years of World War II into which the United States wouldn’t be drawn until 1941."

Learn more about the City of Lake Worth here. Make plans to visit us and remember, we have a Beach!

Save the Dates! #LakeWorth Beach Bonfires are back starting in November! pic.twitter.com/NTe4pU7X2L

— Lake Worth Casino (@LakeWorthCasino) August 10, 2017

Notes, news, observations: Budget work session at the City Commission last night.

UPDATE: The highlighted text below is more information from the Commission work session.

This was the last meeting prior to the process of actually adopting a City budget which will happen at two meetings next month, according to Finance Dir. Marie Elianor. Mayor Pam Triolo was absent; Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell officiated the meeting which ended before 7:00, less than an hour.

Here’s a list of what happened last night:

• We learned from Commissioner Andy Amoroso the Lake Worth Electric Utility made a commitment last year to match grants received by the CRA for community WIFI to help children, students, and at-risk neighborhoods.
• Maxwell’s push for a 0.25 reduction in the millage rate appears dead in its tracks (it would turn out to be $211,000 in the budget). There was talk of giving Triolo a chance to chime in but with commissioners Amoroso, Herman Robinson, and Omari Hardy opposed there’s little to be gained it would seem. Hardy said this fiscal year is “not the right time”, and Robinson added a millage rate reduction “would indicate a [City] management success” but next year would consider a reduction in the millage instead of this year. Amoroso, “Agree with lowering the rate but not right now”.
• Scott Maxwell: “I see some momentum building up.” He made the case for a millage reduction considering rising property values, existing homeowners paying more taxes now, and the City should offer some relief. Maxwell also pointed out he doesn’t think the new Homestead exemption on the ballot next year will pass. He hinted there will be powerful opposition.
• If the Homestead exemption on the ballot next year passes it will ended up costing the City $280,000.
• Three items in the budget, thanks to the County ¢1 sales tax proceeds: 1) Paying for the FEC crossing upgrades; 2) removing the condemned pier at Spillway Park; 3) license plate readers.
• The Lake Worth Pier does indeed need to be repaired due to “spalling concrete”. There’s no money in the Beach Fund to pay for it. How much will it cost? Stay tuned.
• Although the Beach Fund was on the agenda there was very little discussion about that. Got the impression everyone is just tired of talking about it; it’s a mess. Downtown parking came up briefly and the ShotSpotter technology discussed in previous budget meetings wasn’t mentioned at all. Waiting for PBSO to take the lead?
• No one from the public spoke. However, a lot of noise is going on about the City top staff receiving another week of vacation. For those upset about that, reach out to a sports fan; they know all about retaining and attracting talent. On one hand you can’t complain the City has a hard time keeping good talent and then complain when the City takes the steps to address that issue. Just thought I would point that out.
• As always, Marie Elianor was excellent. Our City is lucky to have her.

City Manager Michael Bornstein did a very good job explaining how the budget process works to Hardy and Robinson (the two newly electeds), but he did warn them, “It’s getting late in the game and [staff] needs some clear direction.”

Robinson’s idea of a “retreat” for the City Commission to get together in a publicly noticed place to talk and share ideas was well received by everyone. Staff would be there to listen and take notes how each commissioner sees the City going forward in the next 5–10 years.

Expect the City Commission to explore this more closely before the end of the year. Amoroso said, “It’s a way to work together and share visions.”

Not a bad idea, Commissioner Robinson!

Notice of Public Meeting, City of Lake Worth: Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Meeting is tomorrow at 6:00 in the City Hall conference room (next to the Commission chambers). For further information please contact Grants Analyst Jerry Kelly at 561-533-7358.

Press Release: 

Please join the City of Lake Worth for a Public Meeting to discuss the upcoming Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allocation of $33,136 for Fiscal Year 2017. During this meeting the City of Lake Worth staff will describe eligible uses of JAG funds and solicit public input on uses of this funding opportunity.

Harder Hall and the Gulfstream Hotel: It’s a near miracle both of these historic structures are still standing.

“[T]he success of preservation efforts often hinges
on local activists working within their communities
to influence policy-makers.”

“Everything Florida Has — We Have”

But for how much longer will Harder Hall (see below) and the Gulfstream Hotel stand?

What will it take for the Millennials to carry on the fight? And don’t forget, being on the National Register of Historic Places provides no protection from the wrecking ball.

“Maybe it’s our Gulfstream Hotel, still an eyesore in our Downtown following all that excitement in January 2016, that stands a constant reminder what historic preservation cannot do. What needs to happen is not happening. We need more young people to get actively involved.”

Harder Hall (see video below) and the Gulfstream Hotel have a lot in common.

From Wikipedia:

“Harder Hall was named for its developers, Lewis F. Harder and Vincent Hall, both of West Palm Beach. Prior to the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Florida experienced a boom in real estate and tourism. It was during this period that many Spanish style hotels, such as Harder Hall, were built.
     Construction of the hotel began in 1925, prior to the end of the Florida land boom of the 1920s. In 1927, the classic Spanish Style hotel and golf resort, opened on the shore of Little Lake Jackson. Harder Hall was built in Sebring because the city was a stop on the Atlantic Coast Line railroad.”

An incredible video of Harder Hall. . .

“Here’s a short story of a playful drone that discovers an old abandoned hotel and decides to investigate.”

Here’s a recent picture of our Gulfstream Hotel
in the City of Lake Worth.

To review the timeline use this link. Remember, Hudson Holdings bought the Gulfstream Hotel
in May 2014.

“Our plans are to rehabilitate this hotel [and] bring it back to its historic significance in the public areas, the lobby, corridors etc.,” said Steven Michael, principal of developer Hudson Holdings during a tour Friday. “We’ll do a complete rehabilitation of the whole building from top to bottom.”
—Quote from this article in the Sun Sentinel datelined April 14th, 2017.

Hudson Holdings bought the Gulfstream Hotel almost 3½ years ago.

Are there any plans afoot to clear the vegetation away from the sidewalks around the Gulfstream Hotel property for pedestrians along Lakeside Drive and 1st Ave. South?

View east of 1st Ave. South.

The eastern sidewalk along Lakeside Drive

near the corner of 1st Ave. South.

Nice place for a criminal to hide a stolen bike or stash drug paraphernalia for a while.

Brightline Train Station in downtown West Palm Beach.

Use this link to read Parts 1–3 from our tour
of the facility last month.

Once this was a vacant lot. Residents in downtown West Palm Beach used to refer to this area of
the city as the “donut hole”.

“Know Your Signs and Signals”!

Click on image to enlarge.

LOOK.  LISTEN.  LIVE.