Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Message from Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill on the Casino

Comment Up
In follow up to concerns expressed to me yesterday and at the meeting last evening, I would like to clarify how these concerns were addressed:

Existing tenants – "first rights" will first be given to the existing tenants. The first 90 days with the broker is exclusively for existing tenants to prepare and sign a lease. The broker will be paid 3.5% to sign on the existing tenants.

Remaining space – The remaining space in the casino building will be for seeking a local/regional business. This was added into the work authorization for the Broker. The remaining space will be listed on the MLS with a 50/50 split for co-brokers, 7% commission split, 6% straight.

Commercial/public space – The Casino building is 45% public space of terraces and walkable areas. An average building, like City Place, is approx. 20% public space. There are 11 foot walkways on the 2 floor – as requested by residents at the charettes for a walk-around terrace. There will be benches upstairs, similar to downtown, for the public to sit and enjoy the view. We discussed a sidewalk cafĂ© lease or something similar, for the 2 floor restaurant – similar to downtown. This building is being paid for by the rents generated from the building. Not tax payer dollars.

Ballroom size – The ballroom is 3400 sq. ft of air conditioned open space, not including the storage or kitchen areas (see attached floor plan). The ballroom seats approximately 200 people with banquet round tables. Residents asked for a terrace upstairs around the entire building and this decreased the size of air conditioned space in the ballroom from approx. 5,000 sq. ft to its present size of 3400 sq. ft. There is a covered terrace around the ballroom of approx. 2,500 sq. ft that can be rented with the ballroom. The total rentable space for the ballroom (air conditioned and open air) is approx. 5,900 sq. ft. Almost 1,000 more than the existing ballroom (due to the restrooms and kitchen areas being added onto the building footprint.) Additionally, there is also open green space on the grounds in the back of the building where a 5,000 sq. ft. air conditioned tent can be placed and rented out for additional space or separate space from the ballroom. For a comparative, the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan has 3 ballrooms. One is 9,680 sq. ft. that can be partitioned for 3 events at 3200 sq. ft each – each of these partitioned spaces holds 200 guests with banquet round tables with a band/dance floor or 300 in a theater style conference setting.)

Restaurant – open air component – in the original drawings, the building was bigger and there was an open-air component. Due to cost, this open air space was removed. The restaurant can still design space that is open, similar to Dave’s Last Resort or Brogue’s.

Local/Regional Business Mix – It was clarified in a motion last evening for the Broker, that space that is not leased by existing tenants will be available to local/regional businesses. All leases will come before the commission for approval.

Hours of Operation – Discussed but not finalized. Proper lighting will be required, regardless of the hours of operation, for the turtles. (Like with the pier which is open until midnight)

Architectural Style – The building is true to its architectural style. The original building built in 1922 will be reconstructed to its original style and the 1949 building, which is where the ballroom is, will be reconstructed to its original style. The city and the architects will be working to apply for a National Historic Destination for the Casino Building.

Wind Turbines – Have been added back into the plan.

Archaeology Oversight - William Waters, our Senior Planner, will present to the commission within 60 days a plan for the archaeology oversight at the beach site.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is strange that no one discussed the fact that the "renovation" of this historic building entails demolishing all but the concrete floor and ten columns. The entire roof, second floor and most all walls and columns are structurally unsafe for use in the renovation. Isn't that what six other engineers and our own building official told us?

So the engineer that stated the building is sound is the same one recommending the total demolition in order to renovate it?

Even what is left of the ground floor slab will be decimated to install pilings and new utilities like plumbing and electric. So what was "saved"?

We sold our rights to Palm Beach County for $5 million so now the people who will pay for the upkeep of the common areas surrounding the casino cannot stipulate where we can park as residents.

Now we are restricting the ability of our city manager to get the best case scenario for repayment of the costs and, God forbid, make the beach pay for itself, so that a few lucky tenants may be given preferential treatment in our brand new (ok 95% new) building.

We have been duped again.

Lynn Anderson said...

Unfortunately, I can't comment on this because I still cannot download the backup and was not there to listen to it. I would be surprised if this is the case. What engineer was it?

http://lynn-a.blogspot.com/2009/03/issues-of-late-in-lake-worth.html

http://lynn-a.blogspot.com/2009/10/casino-is-structurally-sound-says.html

Taurinski Engineers. For $6,100, Taurinski did the forensic on the building and found that the building was consistent with most thirty year plus buildings as far as its condition. Conclusion: All it needs is some repair and maintenance. The exterior is in “excellent shape.”

Anonymous said...

It would be a travesty if the city did not get top dollar for "our multi million palm beach island ocean front property" -thanks Dee.
If John G's wants to stay let them stay but make them pay top dollar. They've been getting away with low, taxpayer subsidized rent for so long their time is up.
And as the vice mayor shouldn't Ms. Mulvehill be looking to increase city revenue rather than fighting to keep rents low for those that contributed to her campaigns?

Lynn Anderson said...

Dee, thanks for your comment. All along, Suzanne Muvehill has been consistent on the rentable space at our Casino. Market rates will be determined. The present tenants will have the right to lease the space at the determined market rate before any other tenant will be considered. Hopefully, the rental rates will not force them from our Casino as many have been there for decades.

Anonymous said...

IT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE CONTRACTOR WHAT HE WANTS TO TEAR DOWN AND WHAT HE WANTS TO REMAIN. HE NEEDS TO BUILD THE BUILDING OUT PER THE BUDGET. WHAT EVER IS THE PROBLEM?