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Displaying 26 - 50 of 173

Good Morning!

I am the owner of 803 Lake Avenue.

None of us want to see the character of Lake Worth Beach change. However, many older buildings face condemnation if renovations do not take place. These historic charming buildings will be gone.

We all realize the concerns of commissioners regarding affordable housing in our area. As business owners we are united in our support - our employees need a place to live. Many smaller homes that offer affordable living conditions are in poor repair and probably do not constitute safe and clean habitable environments. Wanting and demanding affordable housing requires financial support from our city and the federal government. This necessary financial support can only be achieved through an increased tax base.

Tax abatement on the historic part of the hotel and other tax relief incentives is fair to a company that is taking a financial risk by renovating and improving the Gulfstream. Tax abatements don’t last forever. In the short term they do help investors minimize their risk and predict their cash flow for future operations. This company has made a firm commitment to operating and managing a luxury hotel and resort. Luxury hotels hire more people and attract people who will spend money in our community.

Personally, I believe it is unrealistic for small business owners to make significant investments into their properties without the probability of increased revenue that will occur once the hotel is opened.

Without rallying the business community ,affordable housing that is clean and safe will not be achieved. It’s admirable for people to want to leave everything as it is -but the reality is empty storefronts that will be minimally maintained simply to avoid condemnation.

My belief is that we are at an impasse. Without a landmarked destination hotel this city will not prosper and slumlords will rule the day. Citizens will not benefit because there is no way out of problems created by a static and perhaps declining city.

A new hotel does not mean Del Ray beach. It means park development complete with public works of art and activities for both old and young. There will be no development on our beautiful golf course and Bryant Park - just an improvement of services and a safe place for visitors and residents- rather than a haven for homeless people and drug addicts who could be in proper shelters funded by the city. Parents and their children should be safe and not afraid to venture out after dark. Homeless people should have the dignity of a safe shelter. We achieve none of this under current circumstances.

I have personally spoken with the owners of the Gulf Stream Hotel property. They anticipate up to 50k visitors per annum. This will translate into an additional 5-7 million in revenue for the small business owners in Lake Worth Beach.

In conclusion, I would like to renovate 803 Lake Avenue. It was built in 1913. Obviously this will be very expensive and time consuming process particularly in light of its’ historic significance and concomitant problems. I need the city to support the Gulf Stream hotel. I need to justify my serious personal risk of taking on a significant long term commitment.

Thank you for your consideration.

Daphne Weaver

Hello, I’m Cory Metzler resident at 222 N L St. I’ve had the experience of working at the newly constructed mtn space art gallery at 502 Lake Ave for the past year. Through the wide-open double doors of the gallery, I had many residents remark how nice it is to see “something new and beautiful”. The sense of community pride was evident and heartwarming.
Completing the Gulfstream Hotel would offer Lake Worth the pride of a thriving hotel for receptions, weddings, graduations, and other community events. We may not have plans that perfectly fit utopic ideals but is that the decision or duty that benefits the greater good? The jobs, beauty, and tax benefits of a completed Gulfstream are what the newly elected commissioner and others have promised. They represent our hopes for these benefits to be realized.
We hope they remember that, respond to our positive desires and offer us a sense of progress and pride. Thank you for serving the greater good of Lake Worth Beach.

The gulf stream hotel renovation project must be approved the way the developers have asked for. If this is not approved what’s your other option? No rational thinking person would ever consider that another developer is going to come along and want to work with the city on anything that has to do with the Gulf Stream hotel. I remember seeing over 10 years ago the fire department spraying water into the gulfstream, for fire drill practices. The hotel will have to be condemned , if this project is not approved. Then what are you left with? An empty lot. Who’s going to buy that? A developer that will put up expensive apartments. How much revenue will that bring to our city? Compared to a hotel? How many visitors will that bring to our city compared to a hotel? If this is not approved what are the options? Why isn’t that being discussed? I don’t understand how this has gone on for so long and is still not approved. I remember the new commissioners knocking on my door and telling me that the Gulf Stream was already a done deal and it was approved. “ When I asked them how they felt about the gulf stream they said it was already a done deal. That’s a lie. If it was a done deal I would not have to be writing this letter. So I was lied to by the new commissioners.

Renovating and reopening The Gulfstream Hotel is an integral and critical part of the economic future of Lake Worth Beach. We need to approve the investment requested to provide jobs and business for all our residents. Vote YES!

no new construction , keep lake worth beach small, remember why we voted for you and stand up to big developement

As a new resident of Lake Worth Beach, I would love to see this measure approved as it will add obvious value to our community

Ed Jenkins

33460

I would like to express my support for the Gulfstream project.

I attended the first meeting with the Gills and at that time I knew that the project was on course to be successful.
In March 2020, I, along with many other voters of LWB, voted to approved the request to raise the city’s height limit. Since then, the Gills have worked to create a vision and plan to restore the Gulfstream. It’s time to approve the project.

I would like to express my support for the Gulfstream project.

I am in COMPLETE support of the Gulfstream project. As a homeowner and tax payer in Lake Worth Beach, I think it is imperative for our leaders to support this project and get things rolling. I was at the meeting when the Gills presented their image and concept. They have the experience to restore the Gulfstream and bring the beauty back to Lake Worth Beach. This is a company that not only has an excellent reputation but cares about the community. They have worked hard to address all the concerns of the community while protecting the integrity of the historic building. The Gulfstream will have an extremely positive impact on the town’s economy and future.
In March 2020, the voters of LWB overwhelmingly approved the request to raise the city’s height limit, showing how much the community supports this project. Now it is time for our elected officials to show their support of the citizens and taxpayers and approve the Gulfstream restoration.
It is time to get this project started!

I support the development of the historic Gulfstream Hotel as proposed, and in full. As a derelict Registered Historic Place, we are currently losing out on a significant opportunity to share the history and culture of Lake Worth Beach and revitalize the small businesses that define our city. Voters have clearly shown support of the proposal with over 80% of voters approving to raise the building height limitation, allowing for the Gulfstream Hotel to be renovated as proposed.

With an estimated 12,000 annual guests, hundreds of jobs, an increase of $7.6 million in real estate tax, and $46-60 million in total direct and indirect economic impact, the benefit to the city, residents, and small business owners is clear.

It has been long enough since the doors of the Gulfstream Hotel have been opened, it is time to stop talking about a better future for our beautiful city and to fully realize the benefits of a thriving historic hotel in the City of Lake Worth Beach.

As a Lake Worth resident, after reviewing the Hotel project and realizing the traffic congestion that the building of 3 towers will bring to the area, I'm wondering if a traffic study was done.

Please do not provide an answer that includes plans for a shuttle, Uber choices, etc. We already experience traffic & parking issues on the weekends and during rush hour when drivers use Lake Avenue to cross to the bridge to Palm Beach or go south to Delray etc. in order to avoid traffic at the highway or other main streets.

Has a traffic study been conducted? If not - I believe that it is worth conducting as the plans for the hotel would bring in more traffic and would ultimately be a cause for concern to all residents of Lake Worth Beach.

It is impossible for me to understand how anyone can be against the Gulfstream Hotel Project. The Hotel was open and very much a part of our lives when we moved here in 2002. Our family stayed there when they visited. We entertained friends there. It was very upsetting when it closed but we assumed it would reopen soon. We were VERY wrong. Any attempt to reopen the hotel was shot down.......I don't want to live in a West Palm Beach with its high rises and density. But I also don't like seeing an identical house in West Palm Beach sell for 2x, 3x, 4x.....more than a house in Lake Worth. Let's get out of our own way. Let's approve the Gulfstream Project - it is a project proportionate to the charm of our town. It will help everyone - it will provide jobs during the construction and once it opens, for decades to come. I've heard people talking about affordable housing in this location - there is no scenario where that is a realistic option. How about providing jobs and incomes so that people can afford housing? How about we approve the Gulfstream Hotel Project? VOTE YES. Represent the people who elected you. Thank you.

I believe it would be foolish for the City to pass up the opportunity to have this historic building brought back to life. Closed for 17 years now, the building continues to decay each and every day that it sits in its current condition. Many measures have passed to satisfy the City's requirements for restoring this building. Countless hours and resources have already been invested into getting us this far. If you, our elected representatives, fail to capitalize on this opportunity that so many voters approve of, what happens next? Will this Contractor continue to work with the City for revisions? If not, will another Contractor be willing to bid at all? How many more years will this building sit in waste before it gets restored? In regard to structural integrity, how far away are we from "the point of no return" - meaning the tragic teardown of the entire building? This project has the potential to not only breathe new life into a deteriorating historic icon, but also share the legacy of Lake Worth Beach amongst its residents and visitors.

I fully support the Gulfstream Hotel project. Please vote yes

Good evening. I am concerned with the size of the hotel annex and it’s impact on traffic and parking. I don’t know of any municipality that would not have done a significant study before the project has gotten so far along. Lake worth beach residents who enjoy Bryant park have no understanding on what’s about to happen and potential local traffic issues and certainly parking issues. Please do your due diligence!

Barbara Reeve

Lake Worth Beach

Please vote to approve the Gulfstream Hotel project. It is the City's best chance to move ahead.

Lake Worth voted in 2020. All commissioners should vote the will of the people, whether they are new to the commission or not. The Gulfstream should go forward.

Mary Reda

33460

In 2020, voters in Lake Worth Beach voted overwhelmingly to raise the height limitation to allow the Gulfstream Hotel to be renovated
and reopened. When anything in this city can be agreed upon by more than 80% of voters, the mandate is clear. After years of delays, this commission has the opportunity to green-light the project. The commission needs to follow the wishes of the voters and approve the Gulfstream project, as proposed, and in full.

Top 10 Reasons to approve the Gulfstream project:

1. Our city will realize an estimated 791% return on investment.

2. Project creates good jobs that will pay $26/hour on average.

3. Interior spaces will incorporate local art and space for local artists to sell their work.

4. It will be an economic engine for downtown businesses, bringing in more than $7 million in tourist dollars a year.

5. It will have a beautiful new streetscape using native shade trees.

6. Restoration St. Louis has a proven track record with challenging historic buildings.

7. Restoration St. Louis has worked tirelessly to accommodate the commission and staff requests.

8. Restoration St. Louis is committed to sustainability and green initiatives in our community.

9. Project will save a beautiful historic building that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

10. If this developer walks, the historic building will likely be torn down.

You’ve paid thousands and thousands of tax-payer dollars for experts to evaluate this project, and they ALL agree - it’s a no-brainer.

Stop the nonsense and get on with it!

In 2020, voters in Lake Worth Beach voted overwhelmingly to raise the height limitation to allow the Gulfstream Hotel to be renovated and reopened. When anything in this city can be agreed upon by more than 80% of voters, the mandate is clear. After years of delays, this commission has the opportunity to green-light the project. The commission needs to follow the wishes of the voters and approve the Gulfstream project, as proposed, and in full.

Honorable Mayor Resch and City Commissioners,

I am urging the council to approve the restoration and improvements proposed by Restoration St. Louis and vote YES for the revitalization of the Gulf Stream Hotel.

I recently relocated to Lake Worth Beach, in the Parrot Cove neighborhood. While I enjoy the neighborhood and my wonderful neighbors the downtown area is in dire need of revitalization. I believe the reopening of the Gulf Stream Hotel will benefit the entire downtown area, by creating more jobs and infusing local and tourist dollars to the local Lake Worth Beach businesses.

The restoration of the Gulf Stream, and the revenue it would be produce will be a boon for this city, local businesses and residents. With increased revenue to the city there will be additional dollars to address issues that are important to the city, including affordable housing.

Please do not allow this to be a missed opportunity.
PLEASE VOTE YES!!!

Respectfully,
Kathryn A Costantino
802 N Lakeside Dr.

I support the Gulfstram project in full and as proposed.

I am ready for the Gulf Stream Hotel to be reopen, it used to be a place, that me and my husband use to go to dine. I had one of my granddaughters wedding there. My guest who would come into town, stayed there. The hotel on 10th Avenue, is not design for out of towners, it is set up for permanent living. I want the Gulf Stream Hotel to go forward, can you all vote yes. I really would appreciated.

I'm unable to attend due to illness therefore appreciate the reading of this comment.

It's time. Time to stop the "let's have another meeting", time to stop the "let's hire another consultant", time to stop the "let's keep changing the demands", time to stop the so very obviously transparent attempts to block the Gulfstream project. The project should be approved now, as it stands.

In spite of the determined effort of the few to halt the Gulfstream, a project desired by the majority, the Gills have stayed with us. Thank you Amy and Amhrit!

As a voter, and I assume I speak for other voters, we have two words for those you refusing to approve the project...ELECTION DAY.

Dana Lyons

33460

I think most of us in Lake Worth have made it clear that we want this project to move forward. I feel like certain people keep adding conditions and roadblocks even though most of believe it's been laid to rest more than once. There should not be other conditions such as affordable housing attached to it, that is a separate issue and I don't think using the higher cost real estate is good use of tax payer money for such housing makes much sense either.

Please, we have spoken, keep this project going and stop playing games. That is not what you were elected to do.

I am very much FOR the Gills plan for the Gulfstream hotel. They have worked for years putting this together, and have changed it per city requests with more patience, dedication and grace than I’m sure anyone else could ever muster in the face of such adversity from a select few. Those are the key words - select few. Only a select few do not want this. The vast majority of voters in this area are for it.

Lake Worth Beach needs this! So many positives would come from this hotel. Why wouldn’t we want to see this poor town begin to thrive? Why wouldn’t we want to see the struggling shops finally have the revenue they deserve, and see new businesses in the vacant storefronts? Why not have more great restaurants and more people to frequent them from the hotel so they can do well?

Our community deserves this! The idea of affordable housing instead of a hotel is a joke. What positives would that bring to the businesses here? None. Obviously someone would profit off of that but the money would not be filtered back into Lake Worth Beach.

The Gills can do this! Let’s get out of their way and let them improve our community.

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