The Architect, Politics and the Lake Worth Casino

William Waters, AIA, NCARB
William Waters Designs, West Palm Beach and Miami

Mr. Waters spoke on behalf of REG yesterday at the Commission workshop. He was the Project Manager for REG Architects, Inc. and oversaw the historic preservation programming for the 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse and Historic Society of Palm Beach County Museum. Also representing REG architects was Colin Price, V.P. of Operations.

To read William Waters' incredible credentials, CLICK HERE

REG is not being pushed out, not yet anyway, and all the little strikethroughs on the 6 pages of fees were just a computer program glitch...they mean nothing relative to REG not being the lead architect. They do mean a lot as far as another architect being brought into the mix in order to 1) bring down the fees and 2) appease three elected officials and possibly a fourth, as well as some citizens who scream the loudest. Everything in this city is about politics. Commissioner Mulvehill was the only commissioner who asked about LDG coming into the picture when they were not the top choice and got beaten on the final count. To lose is to win I guess.

Staff incorporated the services of Living Design Group supposedly because of its expertise in "green" features and its involvement in the beach re-development project. The City Manager stated, "Staff took a team of the # 1 (REG) and the # 2 (Living Design Group) choices and felt that the Commission would want to have a team." Although this was never expressed to the Commission or to the Public in the Sunshine, the City Manager made the decision to bring in Living Design Group. REG has resigned itself to this decision and felt it will lead to more cohesion--they will be "sharing information rather than competing." They are a "class" act and would never resort to underhanded practices as what occurred here.

Essentially, because of the projected financial feasibility study that came with little back-up and based on conservative estimates of revenue and expenses projected by Staff, the project at the beach was scaled down from a possible $10 million to a $6.67 million dollar cost. Because of this, various architectural fees were negotiated down using the second choice firm, LDG, against REG. REG's original contract called for a 10% fee based on the construction price which is now around 7% and will be shared by Living Design Group and others. As you recall, the architect was chosen on qualifications, not cost.

Mr. Waters said that they can not do the 1921 casino building with the constraints they have now. To me this meant not only what we are willing or can afford to pay based on the projection provided by Steven Carr, Finance Director, and Ms. Stanton, but the excessive green features that bring up the cost of any construction. I think we should ask what "green" is going to cost us on this project. 20% more? With these conservative guesstimates, could we build even a better building if the projections were true?

Colin Price, saying that this is "not the first day of the rodeo," assured the Commission that we would have an attractive and an iconic building in spite of it all. "1922 is the vision people are leaning towards," said Mr. Price. Commissioner Maxwell said, "We need to get it right...not sure people want an historical building there." Maxwell tried stumbling blocks through the entire discussion even going so far as to bring up the BP Oil spill as a reason for caution. Commissioner Jennings threw in her own when she talked about artifacts.

Essentially, the question is, do you want to fix the beach or not? As one citizen said to me via phone, "I am really disgusted what has happened here. We will not be getting a 1921 styled building but rather an art deco box." At this point, I am not sure what we will be getting but I am rather sure the charettes will be stacked with "green" people as they were with the Michael Singer fiasco. Jennings asked the architect to touch base with Michael Singer.

The Mayor made some great points and wanted us to "move forward with a productive path saying the "arguments of the past will not help us right now." What was represented was only a conceptional feasibility study and it should be approved without specifics and back-up if we want the casino to go forward. I would have preferred much more supporting evidence and I believe that they will have to have that in order to get a loan. Staff proved that we can afford to build a building for $6.67 million by giving conservative figures. The details will be worked out later and they are all subject to change. I had a million questions but all of those will be solved as we proceed.

Frankly, REG should have been the only architect in the casino redevelopment. A "winner" is not a winner in Lake Worth and the people lose a lot from these actions. Now that it has shaken out the way it has and the process of winning a bid is corrupt and the people have no control, I would like to see two designs submitted: one in the old Mediterranean style and one by Living Designs--take them both to the voters on November 2. Let the people really decide. Then we will know, Commissioner Maxwell.

But we know that won't happen. It will be determined, as most things are in this city, by compromised politicians, a political Staff, those with their own "green" stupidity and, in my opinion, the connection to a past politician that still is behind the scenes directing traffic.