“At first I thought it was a joke,” board member Phillip Spinelli said. . .

“[T]hey were dead serious, and then I was like, ‘Oh my God.’
It’s like calling the Vatican
Church Joey.”

Below is more recent history about the Gulfstream Hotel in the City of Lake Worth Beach many of you will find drop dead hilarious. And many long-time residents will recall a name or five from an old newspaper clipping published in the Post fourteen years ago. This clipping had to be cut and pasted the old-fashioned way for this blog because the news article in print spanned recto with five very short columns above the fold.

You’ll also note the spelling, “GulfStream” with a capital ‘S’ as some liked to title this famous landmark. The historic name for the hotel was ‘Gulf Stream’ (two words) and blended over time into one (called a portmanteau). The current and most commonly accepted usage is “Gulfstream” with a lowercase  ‘s’.


Without further ado. . .

Hope you enjoy this blog post about
“Frank discussions”.

Take special note of the date,
December 23, 2005:

“Frank” as in Frank Zappa? Frank Sinatra?
Or other famous “Franks”?

Column one under banner headline.

Click on image to enlarge:

CSC Lake Worth was the developer that owned the Gulfstream in 2005. The Great Recession began in 2007 and the rest is history as they say.

And the balance of the article by staff writer
Tanya Wragg continues. . .

“At first I thought it was a joke,” board member Phillip Spinelli said Thursday. “Then they were dead serious, and then I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ It’s like calling the Vatican Church Joey.”
     Spinelli, who said he otherwise thought the project was “a great idea,” added: “That may be OK in South Beach or downtown Clematis with a brand-new hotel of something, but this is the GulfStream. It’s a historic building.”
     During the meeting, which lasted more than five hours, CSC Lake Worth, which paid $13 million for the hotel in July [2005], asked the board to approve modifications to the 1925 structure. They include adding French doors and balconettes, reducing its units from 160 to 90, and demolishing three adjacent buildings.
     Hotel Frank would be a tribute to famous “Franks”, such as Frank Zappa, Frank Sinatra and comedian Frank Miller, said CSC Lake Worth President Adam Schlesinger, adding his attorney, former CRA board member Frank Palen, to the list.
     “Frank is such a great name and so many great people in American history have been named Frank. It’s (Lake Worth) a city that is receptive and warm to everybody,” Schlesinger said Thursday.
     Board member Jon MacGillis said he would have liked an emphasis on The GulfStream, rather than Hotel Frank.
     “The applicant did stand up and give a good explanation behind Frank,” he said Thursday. “Some board members were concerned that maybe residents would be offended by taking out the GulfStream name. It’s a new hip idea and concept they’re trying to float to attract a new type of clientele they see is in that area.”
     The announcement was made at an otherwise empty meeting, which only a handful of residents attended. The city might have seen more had the locals Schlesinger said he planned to pay to speak for his project showed up.
     Schlesinger on Wednesday confirmed reports he planned to hire local actors to talk for the project meeting. He said he went through an advertising agency to look for extras. He planned to show them the project. Then, if they were in favor of it, he’d pay them to support him at the meeting, he said.
     “We just want to get as many permanent residents as excited as we are,” he said.
     The historic board approved many of CSC Lake Worth’s modification requests, but deferred voting on the demolitions until February.
     Sharon Jackson, the city’s community redevelopment director, said the preservation board may negotiate on the name with CSC, which does not need the board’s approval for the name.


Thank You for visiting today and on a
more serious and somber note. . .


Excerpt from a Letter to Editor in The Palm Beach Post dated April 4th, 1994 written by “Wes Blackman”:


“It [the Pennsylvania Hotel] is one of the few remaining structures from the city’s glorious but fading past.”

Click on image to enlarge: 

Gulfstream Hotel in the City of Lake Worth,
the Pennsylvania Hotel, and the Belleview Biltmore in Belleair: What history teaches us about historic preservation.

Newspaper clipping, front page of Palm Beach
Daily News (aka, The Shiny Sheet), Sunday,
February 19th, 1995:

The process of demolishing the Pennsylvania Hotel began much earlier than 1995. There is a name for that. It’s called “demolition by neglect”.

“A Riddle”. Poem by poet unknown. Guest at Gulfstream Hotel. Lake Worth [Beach], Florida. 1963.

        “ A lake ~ and swinging palm trees,

               The Ocean ~ deep and green ~ ”

Click on image to enlarge:

The image above is from the 2015 Coastal Observer series about the history of the Gulfstream Hotel. The first issue was titled, “Dog Days and Glory Days”.

From that series, a poem. . .

. . . can you guess My riddle?*


Some folks, they like a riddle,
Now here is one for you.
It’s square, not deep, but open
Soft breezes blowing through.

Beyond the sky is lovely,
While clouds go sailing o’er.
I hear the call of song birds,
A distant train’s low roar.

A lake ~ and swinging palm trees,
The Ocean ~ deep and green ~
Now can you guess My riddle?
It’s my window ~ at Gulf Stream



*Poem about the Gulfstream Hotel from December, 1963 titled, “A Riddle”, written anonymously by a visitor to the hotel. Poem reprinted in the Coastal/Greenacres Observer (publisher: Lake Worth Herald) on October 29th, 2015.

Comment by Yours Truly Under Public Comment at the August 17, 2021 Regular City Commission Meeting re The Gulfstream Hotel

"I’m offering this public comment to urge fellow Lake Worth Beach residents to voice their support for the Gulfstream Hotel rehabilitation project this coming Thursday night (8/19). There is strong public support for the redevelopment of the entire block where the historic hotel sits. It was in March of 2020 that Question 3 appeared on the ballot, just before the pandemic hit. I’d like to remind you that it was both a Presidential Preference Primary and Uniform Municipal Election in Palm Beach County. A total of 4,365 people voted on Question 3 which would allow any future construction to be to a height of 87 feet, which corresponded to the height of the historic hotel. It was a large turn-out for a municipal election. The “yes” votes carried the day by 81.82% of the votes cast. The lowest percentage of yes votes in any precinct was 73.4 percent.

Mayor and City Commissioners, that is what is called a mandate. The voters of Lake Worth Beach realized that to save our Gulfstream Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, new development would need to happen on the block. This will create the economic engine that restores and provides a beneficial use for the community and its foreseeable future. The historic hotel will once again take its rightful place as a centerpiece of hospitality and commerce that it was meant to be.

We as a community are concerned about saving endangered species. Let me introduce to you an endangered species that the Lake Worth Beach community wants to preserve and cherish. As an early 20th Century Florida Boom era hotel, the Gulfstream Hotel is one of few examples left. There are many reasons for this as the expectations of the traveling public have changed over the years for larger rooms and more amenities. As a certified urban planner, specializing in historic preservation, I’ve been witness to, and have been the undertaker for, demolition of too many historic hotels from that era. We need only look to West Palm Beach. It lost two historic waterfront hotels in the Pennsylvania Hotel and the Hotel George Washington. 

To those 3,408 people who voted “yes” on Question 3, I urge you to submit a public comment for Thursday’s meeting in support of preserving the Gulfstream Hotel in the manner it deserves.Thank you!"

Important Notice from the City of Lake Worth Beach re Public Meetings

 Virtual Commission Meeting Notice

Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, in an abundance of caution Lake Worth Beach will return temporarily to virtual only meetings. To allow meetings to continue with proper social distancing, only Commissioners and key personnel will be allowed into the meeting location and the meeting will be livestreamed for all to view. This week the City Commission will be meeting at City Hall for the Commission Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, and the Gulfstream Hotel Work Session scheduled for Thursday, August 19 (this meeting has been moved from the Casino Ballroom to better accommodate the transition to fully virtual). Members of the public will be able to watch both meetings live online at  https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofLakeWorthBeach

Those who wish to participate in Public Comment for either meeting may submit their comment via the City website (https://portal.lakeworthbeachfl.gov/public-comment-card/.) The City will accept such public comment cards up to fifteen (15) minutes before the start of the meeting. There are two options for submitting a public comment.

1) Live Public Comment: Once the comment is submitted the resident will receive an email with confirmation of the comment and another email from Zoom with details on how to access the meeting to read your comment(s) into the record. If a resident wishes to provide a live comment they must be available on Zoom and logged in with their real name in order to speak.  

2) Clerk Read Public Comment: Check the checkbox if you prefer the City Clerk to read the comment(s). The clerk will read the comment into the record at the appropriate time during the meeting. The resident will NOT be required to be present on Zoom if this option is selected.

The Public Comment system is open now for those wishing to leave comments for the August 17 meeting. The system will open at 8am on Wednesday, August 18, for those who wish to leave comments for the Thursday, August 19, meeting.

The Commission and City Management will continue to assess the evolving situation and will resume in-person meetings as soon as it is safe to do so. Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and continue to socially distance at this time.

Lake Worth Beach Resident Decals Available Now

Effective immediately, per City ordinance, Lake Worth Beach will begin selling beach decals online for residents and seasonal residents that live in the 33460 and a limited area of 33461 zip codes only.  The beach decal period is effective May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.  The price will remain the same including tax: $42.80 for residents and $64.20 for seasonal residents.  Please check the interactive map to see if you qualify prior to completing the application.  Beach decals are available for purchase online by going to the City of Lake Worth Beach website Parking Page and completing the application and uploading the required forms. Once purchased the beach decals will be mailed out.

Lake Worth Beach CRA Zoom Sponsored Workshop: Monday, March 29th

The Lake Worth Beach CRA in partnership with Tenant Mentorship presents a free ZOOM Workshop:

OMNICHANNEL 1, 2, 3 -- Bridging the gap between physical and online businesses.

Date: Monday, March 29th

Time: 11:00 AM

Where: online via ZOOM

Registration: THE WORKSHOP IS FREE BUT YOU MUST REGISTER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK.

www.angelcicerone.com/omnichannel-mar-29

The bridging of on and offline business is no longer an option for independently owned retail and restaurants. It's a mandatory move necessary for long term survival. Yet so many small businesses view this transition with fear and trepidation. The process doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the proper training and a solid understanding of how it can improve business, the conversion to omnichannel can be both painless and seamless.

Lake Worth Beach Commission Meeting Reopens To Public

Lake Worth Beach, FL-- Lake Worth Beach, FL -- The City of Lake Worth Beach will be holding a commission meeting on Thursday, March 25 at 6pm which will have limited public seating available. Since March 11, 2020 all City meetings have been fully virtual with commission or board members originally joining from home, then joining from separate rooms in City Hall, and finally returning to the dais towards the end of 2020. As the vaccine rollout continues the time has now come for members of the public to be able to return to meetings in person, if they so choose. To facilitate this reopening, the City Chambers and adjoining conference room will be laid out and seated at half capacity. The meeting will still be livestreamed to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofLakeWorthBeach) and the City website (lakeworthbeachfl.gov) for those who wish to watch from home and Public Comments may continue to be delivered remotely via the City Website. 

Those who wish to attend in person will be required to follow these guidelines:

• Masks must be worn at all times while in City Hall.
• Please sit in designated seating areas only.
• Once capacity is reached no additional people will be allowed to enter.
  • The meeting is live streamed so those who can't get into City Hall can still watch the meeting.
• Please do not attend the meeting if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms.
  • Symptom checker: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/coronavirus-self-checker.html

The City of Lake Worth Beach remains committed to keeping the public safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the beginning of the pandemic the City has been a leader in finding innovative ways to continue City business and adapt to the new normal. This change will provide those that wish to join a meeting in person a safe means to do so.

Lake Worth Beach Election Certification and Swearing in Ceremony March 16, 2021

Lake Worth Beach, FL-- On Tuesday, March 16, the City of Lake Worth Beach will certify the results of the election, swear-in the newly elected commission, and authorize a run-off election for district 2. This important afternoon will take place as follows:

• 4:30pm - City Hall - Special City Commission Meeting to certify the Election Results. 

• 6:00pm - Bryant Park - Newly Elected Commissioners Swearing in followed immediately by a Special City Commission Meeting to set the ballot for the March 23, 2021 Municipal Run-off Election for district 2.

The ceremony and both meetings will be livestreamed for the public to view on the City Website, https://lakeworthbeachfl.gov. Members of the public and press may attend the swearing in ceremony and follow up meeting being held in Bryant Park but should follow social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.

Results of Lake Worth Beach Municipal Election 2021

Welcome Mayor Betty Resch, District #1 Commissioner Sara Malega and District #3 Commissioner Kim Stokes. 

Note that there will be a runoff election in the District #2 race between Carla Blockson and Chris McVoy on March 23rd. Stay tuned for more updates. 

 

The municipal pool at the Lake Worth Beach was shut down 10.5 years ago. Why? Not enough money in City budget.

A previous City administration discovered in October 2010 that having an Olympic-sized lap pool at the Beach wasn’t economically feasible. Then something very interesting happened the very next year.

But first, enjoy this video:

Our precious pool wasn't making enough money to stay open. So it was shut down in 2010. . .

So revenue was a concern, you see. Or was. The city manager back then was Susan Stanton. She was fired in 2011 and a few months later Michael Bornstein was hired to be the city manager. Now fast forward to 2015 following all the pressure that was put on Bornstein and the City to reopen the pool, which it was, but guess what happened next? A surprising turnaround. Learn more about that below.

 Some former electeds and administration official

responsible for this mess at the Beach:

From L to R, facing: Joann Golden has her hand on Suzanne Mulvehill’s shoulder, Chris McVoy, PhD, Susan Stanton (former city manager), and Cara Jennings (on far right).

The surprising turnaround. . .

The very same former commissioners from that prior administration who closed the pool in 2010 all of sudden in 2015 were no longer concerned the pool complex was losing money to the tune of $123,000 that fiscal year. It was now an ‘amenity’ that must remain open no matter what the burden or shortfalls in City budgets.

Here are the numbers to keep the pool
open three years ago:

Then came the cry, “Just increase the pool hours to make up the shortfall!” But with every increase in hours comes with it an increase in cost. The shortfalls don’t go away because of additional hours open.

If we are to conclude that a pool at the Beach is a precious amenity that must remain open then why did a previous administration close it? Looking out to future City budgets if the pool was losing $300,000 or $500,000 every year who would be tasked with footing the bill? Would the nearby well-heeled residents in the Town of Palm Beach help with the shortfalls funding this ‘precious amenity’?

The point here is the pool was ignored as an amenity for many years even though its value was used to compute the percentage of the ‘renovation’ to the Casino building. But the so-called renovation wasn’t a renovation at all. It was new construction. The pool was just the distraction.

The IG had a thing or two to say
about that back in 2011.

Click on image to enlarge:

So. Still think constructing a new pool
at the Beach is a good idea?

This won’t take long. Doesn’t the Greater Bay plan in 2009 for our Lake Worth Beach look really good right about now?

However, the public was never allowed to see this plan. Why? Because a previous administration (see the “happy” photo below) thought they could come up with a better plan than Greater Bay did.

Because the contract with Greater Bay was broken that later cost the City a $1.6M settlement (how many potholes could that money have fixed?), countless bills for lawyers, embarrassment for the City of Lake Worth and “egg on our faces” as Mayor Pam Triolo, first elected in 2012, likes to say.

Note the location of Casino. The Greater Bay plan included a parking garage with a new pool facility to the north plus ample access for the handicapped and emergency/commercial vehicles.

The majority elected in 2012, Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, and Commissioner Andy Amoroso were left to pick up all the pieces.

In 2010–2012 “. . . it appears some corners were cut”, said the editor(s) at The Palm Beach Post. You ain’t kidding.

When Commissioner McVoy comes knocking on your door asking for your vote again, just say “I think I’ll pass.”

Commissioner McVoy, PhD (beaming, next to former City Manager Stanton) was once so pleased with himself. He was first elected in 2010. Are you ready to give McVoy a raise and 2 more years on our City Commission?

MEDIA ADVISORY Deputies Remind Residents to “Lock It or Lose It”

 The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has been experiencing an increase in vehicle burglaries occurring in the Lake Worth Beach. Many of the burglaries have been occurring due to owners forgetting to lock their vehicles. 

 

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office would like to REMIND the public:

 

·      Do not leave valuables in plain view

Such as: GPS devises, lap tops, PDA’s, cell phones and purses

·      Do not leave windows open

·      Do not leave doors unlocked

·      Do not leave the keys inside the vehicle

·      Do not leave out items with personal information

·      Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view

Message from Christina Lambert City Commissioner West Palm Beach, District 5

 REMINDER: Tomorrow, February 17^th at 5:30 PM there will be an update on the progress of the West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course.

Since our last community-wide update, a group of local business and golf leaders, led by PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, has established the West Palm Golf Community Trust as a 501c3 non-profit organization to raise funds to rebuild the former West Palm Beach Golf Course. Their design for our public facility will feature an 18-hole Gil Hanse designed golf course, a 9-hole par 3 course, a practice facility and a putting course. 

The Trust plans to operate the facility in a manner that will provide a welcoming environment for people with all levels of golf experience.

Join us tomorrow, February 17^th at 5:30 PM as Mayor Keith James welcomes the President of the West Palm Golf Community Trust, Seth Waugh, to provide a community update regarding the plans for the new West Palm Golf Park. 

See below for the login details:

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2568358038?pwd=V0k3VEo1emQ5V2ZiVjVQZ0E2b1NKQT09
Meeting ID: 256 835 8038
Passcode: 793495
Dial In: 646-558-8656

I hope to see you there!

Yours in service,

Christina Lambert
City Commissioner
West Palm Beach, District 5

TONIGHT-Parrot Cove February Meeting - Meet The Candidates - Mon Feb 15 7PM - Live Stream Link

The Parrot Cove NA will be hosting a Meet The Candidates event at our February meeting this coming Monday February 15th, 2021, at 7pm.

Given the current situation with the Covid and the high number of candidates running, we faced many challenges on how, or even if, we could provide this as we have in the past.. We also know that our members and neighbors have appreciated the information they get from these events as we have done a number of them in the past. 

To safely accomplish this, we have opted to have the meet the candidates evening take place outside, and we are severely limited in the in person capacity. So to that end, we will be live streaming the event so everyone can participate from the comfort of their home.

If you wish to join in person, you may, but please know that we have limited outdoor seating and it is offered on a first come first serve basis. 

To watch from home, please use this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWTtmUG6jtFTvRJYC182wMA/featured?view_as=subscriber

Once we start, the video feed will show up. It will not be there until we do, so please click on it once it is there. 

The format will be similar to what it has been in the past. Candidates give an intro, a closing, and answer some questions. Again, with the number of candidates in this election cycle, we are limited on the amount of time we can get in, and will do our best to move it along efficiently so we can hear as much from them as possible, without pulling an all-nighter. 

Thank you.

PBSO- Lake Worth Beach - Weekly Update 2/8/21

 Crime:

We had four robberies last week. Two were outside convenience stores, one was prostitution related and one was a carjacking in front of the victims residence in the 1300 block of South L  Street. We also had a stabbing in the 100 block of North Federal. The victim and suspect appear to have knew each other. Regarding property crime, we had three to structures and three to vehicles. There were no patterns. Two firearms were taken from an unlocked vehicle in the 300 block of North Dixie Highway.

Community Policing:

With the cooler weather we handed out blankets to the homeless this week. We also assisted a family with a rodent problem.

Covid 19:

A mass vaccination site is opening at the Fairgrounds. It is still for those 65 and older and by appointment. Please be patient and follow all CDC guidelines.

Neighborhood Association Meetings:

Our Community Policing deputies are available to attend you virtual neighborhood association meetings. Please give them at a minimum a weeks’ notice so they can ensure availability and pull the crime data.  We are not attending the in-persons meetings right now due to Covid 19.

Stay safe and healthy,

Captain Todd Baer

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

Commander – District 14 – City of Lake Worth Beach