Thoughts on Beach Casino Building RFQ Responses

Regular readers here know that I believe the rehabilitation of the existing casino building is a flawed strategy.  This conclusion is based upon the following reasons:

• The building as it sits now - in all it's International style glory - is actually worthy of preserving.  It is reflective of an identifiable style, it was designed by local architect and public official and has been an important icon and institution in the minds of our residents.
• Problem is - few people like the existing design of the building.  So, the existing style, while historically important, has few fans and the community prefers the "original" iterations of the building over the present one.
• Re-doing the existing building in a "historic" style - more Mediterranean Revival is not "restoring" anything.  The original building was much smaller and the only remnants of the "original" design can be seen on the generally inaccessible western side of the building.
• The existing building's footprint is seaward of the coastal construction line.  Not only is it questionable public policy to invest money to improve a building that could be impacted either by coastal erosion or catastrophic hurricane damage due to its location, but its location triggers certain coastal construction structural requirements that would likely "kick in."  It is certain that the improvements proposed would exceed the threshold for "grandfathering" status.  This would result in a large portion of the project budget going towards the meeting of the new requirements and not toward making the building more aesthetically attractive.  The same can be said for the structural requirements needed in order to meet the coastal 140 mph wind standard and imposition of ADA accessibility standards.
• Working around the existing tenants creates logistical problems.  How long will they be required to be shuttered during the reconstruction and can safe entry be provided for the public during construction?
• Given the unknowns in the building and the amount of deterioration present, it will be difficult if not impossible to get a fixed price on the project.
• A new building starts with a clean slate.  You have more flexibility with the ultimate design of the building, can easily incorporate green construction techniques and allows for improved functionality of the building - rather than the need to work around existing structure.  It also allows for the complete footprint to be landward of the coastal construction line.  And it allows the existing tenants the possibility to remain in the old building until the new one is ready - with minimal interruption to their operations.
• Without a fixed location represented by the existing building, you have more flexibility to be creative with the site plan.

Now, I will tell you that I was very surprised about the large number of respondents to the RFQ.  People from about four firms either talked or met with me to see what I thought about the project.  I basically told them the issues identified above.  Two that I talked to did respond and two did not respond.  I was about to do a post such as this during the process, but I decided to not as I did not want to unduly change the level of responses to the RFQ or influence the contents of the responses.  Of course, any could have stumbled upon this blog and get a sense of some of the issues.  

It is no news that we have been through a ferocious downtown in the economy, especially revolving around the real estate and construction industries.  I imagine that architectural firms are hungry for projects to maintain quality staff and bring revenue into their firms.  The state of Florida has been hit particularly hard.  In fact, I have heard more than one architect comment that if it wasn't for cities, non-profits and religious institutions, they still would be scrapping by.  So one of the reasons for the high number of responses (15, with 3 Lake Worth firms) is surely a product of the recent and current economic conditions.

Another reason might be the nature of an RFQ.  An RFQ is basically a waving of the hand indicating interest in the project, selling your firm and your expertise and proposing an approach to proceed.  Regardless what you think about the merits of the project as currently planned, it will be interesting reading to see how the firms expect to deal with some of the unique situations present here.

So, it's not time to jump up and dance about the number of respondents.  It is time to study the contents of the responses and be open to altering the approach to this project so that the best process for the residents - in terms of time, money and quality - is achieved.  This needs to be done with an open mind and without the tenants of the building occupying the driver's seat.

This is a PUBLIC building after all.

Can Lake Worth take a lesson from our President?

Especially about the importance of debate and the end of demonization occurring on both sides.

Public owns these pockets: Lake Worth should retain access to Intracoastal

Click title for link to PB Post editorial.  This is the response that I posted on their website:

"Again the Post editorial board doesn't let the facts get in the way of making their opinion. The "Old Bridge Park-ing lot" was not going to be "given away." It was going to be sold for millions of dollars which would have gone to improve/ create parks in the western portions of Lake Worth. While Loretta Sharpe ran for a commission seat in the past, her most recent campaign was for Mayor. Public access can be a good idea, but only where area property owners agree to it and will help police it."

Lake Worth State of the City Address by Mayor Rene' Varela

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Time:

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Location:

Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460

Obama's boost for rail; is it big enough?

Click title for link to Tampa Herald Tribune article.

Beach Casino Building Request for Qualifications (RFQ) - Opening of Responses

Today was the deadline and opening of the responses for architectural firms. The responses come from the RFQ the ciy issued late last year related to the rehabilitation of the existing casino building.  A small group gathered in the "Pioneer" conference room (where did the pioneers go - the list that was on the west wall?) at 2 p.m.  Purchasing staff made multiple trips delivering what turned out to be fifteen responses to the conference room table.  All were found to be "responsive" - meaning that they meet the criteria and requirements of the RFQ.  Three of the firms responding were Lake Worth architectural companies:  Gestalt, Living Designs Group and West Architects.

The contents of what was submitted will be available on the city's website sometime in the near future - most submitted digital versions of their responses.

Below are the sheets used by staff to list the respondents and check off whether they satisfied the demands of the RFQ.

Some thoughts on the implications of this later.

Michigan Tourist Propaganda Film circa 1949

Interesting, albeit dated film, of scenic Michigan during the mid 20th century. Michigan cherries, featured in the film, are generally very tart and usually are not eaten directly from the tree as shown in the movie.  They are best used as pie filling.  I've always thought it a coincidence that the only two states that I have lived in are the only states that are peninsulas.  In Michigan's case, two of them.

The state motto of Michigan is "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice" or "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."

New Look to City's Website

Seems to be limited to font, font size and color changes.  There is also some degree of consolidation of headings in the left hand column.  For example, volunteer boards are now found under the broad heading "Residents."  Slightly more visually appealing, but hoping for more and better functionality in the future.  Can we get a search function that works and one that scans all documents posted under agendas and minutes of the City Commission and volunteer boards?

All in all, this represents an improvement from a "D+" to a "C-."

Fools' Errands and related varieties...

A fool's errand is a task that cannot be accomplished because of fate or because it is a joke. It comes mainly in two varieties: trying to find something that does not exist, or trying to accomplish an impossible task. Others who are aware of the prank will often redirect the victim to several different places.
The prank often involves the use of jargon, where the immediate meaning is not obvious. It can also depend on a new recruit's unfamiliarity with the business, such as being sent on a search for an ID10T form (IDIOT).
In carny, a type of fool's errand is known as the key to the midway.
[edit]Common items
Homophones: long stand, long weight (wait), or a long felt want, shoreline. In the Air Force, some activities such as gathering "flight line" or a bucket of "prop wash" have similar purpose, sending someone out for a bottle of "K9P Lube" (Canine Pee).
Machinery parts that sound real, but if considering the actual machine, cannot exist: muffler bearings, diesel engine spark plugs, piston return spring, canooter valve, headlight fluid, or a top/bottom radiator hose for a Volkswagen Beetle (which happen to be air cooled and therefore have no radiator).
Tools that do not exist, such as a metric adjustable wrench, 3-foot metre stick, shelf-stretcher, board stretcher or left-handed versions of usually achiral tools (wrench, hammer, or screwdriver), or tools made out of unlikely materials such as hammers made of glass. Often times this is switched to where the tool to be used is real but the task is not, such as the Army prank of making the object of the joke tap armor on the side of a vehicle with a hammer to check for 'soft spots' by sound.
Fetching a quantity of something that can not be contained, for example, a bucket of vacuum, a bubble for a spirit level, steam, flight, or shore line, striped paint, prop wash, or sparks (especially sparks from a grinder).
Things that have no physical existence, such as telling an orchestra member in whose part is written tacet to "go find the tacet" as if it were a musical instrument.
Items that are patently ridiculous (such as striped/camouflage paint, dehydrated water, or a box of nail holes) or figurative (such as elbow grease).

FROM WIKIPEDIA

February's City Meetings

Some headlines from Florida newspapers...

S. Fla. among top 10 for 2009 foreclosures

White House to dole out $8 billion in rail grants

Florida Business and Labor leaders come together to oppose amendment; officially launch "No on 4" campaign

(Tallahassee, FL - January 26, 2010) Florida business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee on Tuesday to hear the report of a top Florida economist showing that Amendment 4 - a proposed change to the state constitution - would lead to heavy job loss and higher costs for Floridians.

"The losses of Florida jobs under the 'Most Likely Scenario' are very high," reported Tony Villamil, economist for Washington Economics Group, the organization that conducted the study. "Amendment 4's passage will have potentially devastating consequences to Florida's economy at a time when the economic situation at both the state and national levels is uncertain and at a time when attracting new businesses to Florida is essential for the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents."

The study considers a "Modest" and a "Most Likely" economic impact scenario. The study does not predict a "Worst Case" scenario. According to the study:

Under both scenarios, Florida's economic dynamism is lost. This would permanently impact the economic growth potential for Florida, causing a steady decline in the standard of living of all Florida residents. Further, permanently impacting employment and growth within major industries and job-generating activities.

"If you like the recession, you'll love Amendment 4," said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "This amendment will cost jobs, hurt taxpayers and make it more expensive to live in Florida."

In an unprecedented show of unity, labor and business leaders agreed to jointly oppose Amendment 4. To read more - http://florida2010.org/docs/20100125_Press_Packet.pdf 

To learn more about the No on 4 campaign, please go to -
http://florida2010.org/index.php 

To read the economic study, please go to -
http://florida2010.org/docs/20100121_Amendment4_Impact_Scenario.pdf 

Florida consumer confidence has unexpected surge

Click title for link to St. Petersburg Times article.

FY 2009 Financial Results and Related Information

The last item on the City Commission's work session agenda what seems to be a very through report from the  interim finance director.  Click title for link for complete back-up material - really a must read.  Here are some highlights of the report showing some of the reasons for the deterioration of our General Fund reserves.

The table below is very helpful in tracking where the actual budgets amendments were made and their impact on what line items in the budget.

 

 Below is a chart that we can see the cumulative effect of these amendments.

The staff pledges to come back and work with the Commission in the coming weeks to address the coming shortfall in the FY 2010 projections.  The whole memo and the potential for conversation about this is a good omen and beats Bates' babble.  Let's make sure we make conservative assumptions about the valuation of the property in the city this coming year.

Groucho Marx

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it and then misapplying the wrong remedies.