The reason we should NOT spend $650,000 (Six Hundred Fifty THOUSAND DOLLARS) on removing and then replacing a sea wall, with NO explanation as to where it would be located when replaced, is simple economics—we do NOT have the money.Aside from that obvious reason, who is to say that the wall is not in the exact spot, logistically speaking, where it was purposely designed to be with engineering, mathematical and scientific reasoning behind its location? After all, it has saved this building for 87 years. Engineers, at that time, knew exactly what they were doing and the Casino also was built where it is for sound reasons.
This wall will mean spending over ONE MILLION DOLLARS on underground electrical on top of the $650,000. This is over and above the $5 million from PB County. Perhaps all those who just love this idea of knocking down a wall can figure out how to pay for it or why it would even be considered.
Realizing that a blogger is now joking and saying "Knock down that Wall" and there are others in the community who seem to think that Michael Singer Artist is some sort of guru worth following, the beach is an extremely serious and contentious issue. What is worse about this entire matter is that only 185 people got to decide about taking out our parking and less than 200 people as to what is going to change at our beach--a major overhaul that is totally unnecessary. The absolute worst thing though is that one Commissioner, who now has the power in this City, and who doesn't even believe in government, got to decide on this without going out for an RFP on the site plan and actually is saying that this "is what the people want" as is someone who says he might be running for Mayor."
Many people with whom I have spoken have resigned themselves to "this is the way it is and there is nothing that we can do." That is the saddest part of all. And where is We Love Lake Worth Political ACTION Committee in all of this? Not a peep out of them--NO ACTION, tunnel vision. When government should be ALL about the people, it is not and was not in this case. The ONLY good thing here is that the city got rid of Greater Bay. Other than that, a lot of people will be taking us for a LOT of money and demolishing this and changing that to the tune of $5million or more, if they can and they will try. Where there is money you can bet it will be spent whether we need to do the work or not. And cost overruns WILL happen. They always do. Kimley-Horn's estimate for its services is $600,000 for design and engineering.
Not only is spending close to $2 million on knocking down the wall and moving it a silly idea, but Michael Singer’s beach plan is ridiculous in that we will no longer be able to even see the ocean when driving up to the beach. How stupid is that? This is all about some far out environmentalists thinking that "green" and dead sea oats are more important than convenient parking and looking at the ocean.
Our beach is unique in that people actually can go for a drive and look at the water. They have ALWAYS been able to do that since inception...87 years! They can even park conveniently to do it. All that will be changing for some vegetation that the City will ignore after planting. Have you looked at the sea grass on the dune...all dead and brown and it has blighted our beach.
Instead of Don Quixote with windmills in
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteMy current work load prevents me from spending a lot of time blogging right now, but I wanted to drop you a quick note to assure you that I was not joking about removing the seawall, moving it west and developing a more natural beachfront.
Yes it will cost, but to simply limit ourselves to saying no due to cost or some outdated notion of what the beach should be like without exploring options such as constructing in phases is short sighted. If money is the only concern let’s just knock the Casino down and put a whole bunch of parking spaces up there.
Yes the past was wonderful and the layout of the beach served Lake Worth well. However times change and the procession of cars driving past the beach just to take a look at the ocean is not such a wonderful idea.
As a father who has been taking his daughter to our beach for many years, reducing the traffic flow appeals to me and the people I have spoken with when it comes to the safety of our children and the enjoyment of the shore front. The steady stream of traffic driving by the beach does not contribute to the peaceful experience that most seek at the waterfront.
I am not an "environmentalist", but I do place the beauty of nature over the convenience of parking within 50 feet of the beach. I think a younger generation is willing to walk a bit to escape the steady drone of traffic, a safer environment for their children and a more peaceful time at the beach.
Tom McGow
http://tomspage.wordpress.com/
Tom, be truthful--the last time you were at the beach did you try first to park at the upper level for convenience or did you park down below the dune? If it really does not make a difference, always park at the lower level. Get used to it. That is the way it will be. Next, try hauling up a cooler and beach umbrella and granny. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're are asking the wrong guy Lynn, I will often park farther away from places than most people when I take my younger daughter. Due to her disabilities it is best that we walk as much as we can, plus it tires her out which is a side benefit.
ReplyDeleteBut the last several times I have gone to the beach without her I have gone to Kreusler Park and parked in the lower section of the lot. Not a big deal in my estimation.
But in the last year I have indeed parked at the upper parking lot right by the pier many times and never had trouble finding a spot even with the south section of the lot closed due to the pier construction.
Frankly I don't have a problem walking and if granny can't make it from the lower lot, the Singer plan incorporates drop off areas that can be utilized for just such an occasion. :)