Originally the project at 310 North Dixie was owned by New Urban Communities and was built with government assistance in the way of grants such as a state grant it got for $1.65 million and small interest mortgage rates. In order to qualify for the original project, buyers had to make 140% of the county's mean income or $95,060 for a family of four. It was workforce housing but it never worked out. Timing was bad; the economy tanked.
Even the Lake Worth CRA got into the act as the development is in the CRA District. They gave the developer $100,000 for buyer qualifying assistance and to incorporate some green features and get rid of some blight. We were all giddy with green back in those days. This project is in the CRA TIF district. Any increased tax revenues collected as a result of an increase in property values then go into the TIF fund and can be used by them for a wide range of purposes within the TIF to promote redevelopment.
The new owner says his project is NOT affordable/workforce housing and he will be selling at market value and anyone making 80% of the mean should qualify. Originally one bedrooms were going for $102,650 and now will be $140,000 for a "Flat." The two bedroom townhouses original asking price was $131,650 and now will be $225,000, substantially higher than when New Urban owned them.
There were concerns from a few commissioners some of which were the a/c units and where they were placed, taking out the community garden and finally much discussion on it being a gated development.
I have always liked gated communities. I know many people in Lake Worth who are not keen on them but I have never found one that was not well kept. They certainly give the perception of being safer. Smash and grab and vandalism do go down in gated communities. With this development right on Dixie Highway and situated in a crime area as well as in an area where anyone can walk onto the property, a gated development would make a prospective buyer feel safer.
It passed on a 4/0 vote. The only thing that was offensive to me was the lecture from the Vice Mayor towards Commissioner McVoy for his questions and concerns. Everyone has the right to ask and discuss things that come before them in order to serve the greater good. I'm rather certain when it came before the Planning & Zoning Board that there were plenty of questions with no board member sticking in the political shiv toward another member.
I wish this new owner a lot of luck. Peggy is one angry dame.
ReplyDeleteCommissioner McVoy made an ass out of himself going on and on about wanting a community garden and especially not wanting the community gated. He is naïve and out of touch… There is a serious criminal element across the street and surrounding this property. Residence have the right to not want trespassers, prostitutes, drug attics, purse snatchers, and others who would prey upon residents and homeowners for their own gain.
ReplyDeleteWTF... Yes! this project is desperately needed and wanted in the downtown area. I hope the developer is very successful at his price points and I believe he will be. We don't need any more affordable or section 8 housing - we need properties that are attractive and hold her values and increase in values and that contribute to our tax base.
And where does McVoy come up with what Millennial's want? Millennial's don't give a rats ass about community gardens… If they did, they would have already found they have one at the mockingbird garden in which they can participate in right now. There need help!
Millennial's are conscious of the environment, social justice, more natural living and eating - but they are also self absorbed, they want their own peace and quiet, have enjoyable space to recreate in, and safety in places where they live .
I'd like to see McVoy live across the street from the Burger King with no fence and see how he feels about vagrants and the criminal element making use of his property any time they want... Hmmm... Why not leave them the keys of the car or house so they can make use of that as well. What a bozo!!!
Im very disappointed with him, I though a PhD would ensure an ability to understand data like crime statistics, hear what tax paying, law abiding residents needs are, think constructively and understand how responsible citizens want to live; and ultimately know what his duties are in order to protect them from known unwanted physical encroachments and threats from the criminal elements. What a waste he has become... Open your eye man!!!
Rather pay him a penny for his thoughts than the 3 on the dais asking the State to cough up millions for a field of dreams - the POC (really POR - Park of Rentals)!
ReplyDeleteSO disappointed that Commissioner McVoy was the ONLY one who raised concerns about a gated community in our downtown. Walled OFF communities in Lake Worth? Better to just give it all up now and give it over to the criminals.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know why there are some people dead set against gates. As I said last night, if I were buying into that community at the prices they are charging, I would want to feel safe. A gate might do that. Any vagrant walking down Dixie can enter the premises and steal what he wants. Any drunk coming out of the nightclub nearby could be a problem. No thanks to that.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to the tax incentive and CRA incentive money since this is no longer a work force housing project, do we get the money back?
ReplyDeleteNo, we should not have walled off, gated high density communities in our downtown. If we are being honest to our goal of high density residential integrated into down town then the residential needs to be part of downtown and not walled off.
ReplyDeleteI understand the crime concerns, get more PBSO in that area. The solution is not walls or gates which anyone can simply hop over.
Lynn you are right on target with the gated community aspect of this property in particular. You did a great job articulating that position and exactly why you arrived at that position. I have to say it was also refreshing that both you and Peggy were on the same side of this important topic, and both so civilized and gentile.
ReplyDeletePerhaps these 'just say no' types have never been a victim of violent crime, been mugged, or a property crime and been left with a true sense of violation and trauma, PTSD and anxiety where victims are to left on their own to deal with for years, perhaps even a life time of foreboding and constant vigilance. It's really not a healthy way to live.
Maybe the 'just day no' crowd would perfer for residents to arm themselves, in accordance with the 2nd Amendment, stand their ground and take take care of their own home and personal security when threatens by the criminal and predatory zombies.
I don't like those trespassing signs and sheriffs warnings and what not anymore than anybody else does, but these drugged out criminal types have no regard for personal property and are just out to satisfy their own needs. They have no boundaries and feel that it's appropriate and justified to take what they want and whenever they want it from other people. They have no manners or self-respect or control, they just want to mooch off regular hardworking folks. F...ing anarchist. These are the same people that don't want to have PBSO, Who while some will say haven't done a good enough job… But we can all aknowledge PBSO has done so much better than the old Lake Worth PD especially with the gang issues of the past. at least with PBSO, when we need the resources of a big police department they are available.
'Make the call y'all', be proactive, when you see something strange call it in. It's the only way to take back our streets and drive this bad element away from Lake Worth.
You can write the $100,000 off. The CRA will still get Tif money.
ReplyDeletePeggy was anything but "gentile."
ReplyDeleteNext, I don't see any changes with PBSO. All I see is the cost going up and crime going up right along with it. Sorry guys. The only reason that I have ever been against going with the PBSO was the cost, something for which we have NO control.
I hope this developer has done a market study and knows what he he doing. Those units couldn't be sold when they were much cheaper and had a promise of a pool.
We have a no trespassing sign on our property and I like having it because of all the crazies out here. At least they can be arrested. But even with the signs, thieves enter and steal if you don't have it all nailed down.
We definitely, as residents, have to be pro-active and make the call. Thanks for your post.
@4:34. how high will the gates be? Can someone easily hop over one?
ReplyDeleteSpent a little time there, got exhausted quick climbing steep uncomfortable stairs to go from one room to another, if you're in the bedroom its a hike to get a drink from the kitchen, just entering the place is an ordeal.
ReplyDeleteCommissioner McVoy has every right to ask questions as he was elected to do just that, and Commissioner Scott is up there to keep people from asking questions. There are always problems when the Government gets involved and it looks like the CRA as always loses money
ReplyDeleteCommissioner McVoy has every right to ask questions as that is why he was elected. Scott is up there to keep questions from being asked,
ReplyDeletehe is the one who looks like a dumb ass. When the Government gets involved as with these apts, the CRA usually loses money
Anon 12:13 and 12:17
ReplyDeleteYou obviously think by double posting your message that you are more impactful. Not!
Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell did a fine job moderating the commission meeting this week, and he did allow all of questions Comm McVoy, Maier and Amoroso had.
I question McVoy's position on just what he thinks the builder should do and provide on his property. We have building codes that regulate exactly the parameters that ANY property owner can do with their property.
McVoy's position in analogy would be like him deciding what should be sold at Starbucks and at what price, better yet, deciding that Stabucls should allow anyone to come into their property and consume whatever they want whenever they want, even if they don't have money to pay for their selection. That is paramount to a big government overreach and socialism.
The builder must follow our building codes and that's it! If he tries to price his development too high, then it will fail. If he prices it to low, he fails. That is all his risk - it's his money on the line... Not the government's.
Don't try to confuse the under informed and bring up the previous owner and any grants, special loans, or whatever he got... That shop has sailed ... and that is all in the past and has nothing to do with the NEW OWNER of this property.
What this builder and the current owners want is attractive gates that deter unauthorized persons from casually and easily accessing the property - it's more of a safety issue... As the property sits against Dixie Hwy, can you imagine a young mom with her arms full of groceries with a toddler who might wander onto the street and get hit by s car. Or how about children playing in the courtyard with a ball they rolls into the street... Or the family pet gets loose and make a dash for the street.
If bad guys want to enter private property they will find a way - heck look at the two cons who escaoed prison for a fine example of 'where there's a will they'd a way'.
What residential gating and fencing does is give the inhabitants a 'sense' of civil boundaries,that 'normal, law abiding, reasonable' people recognize as not their property, and who don't trespass. These devises are meant to impede the vagrants, homeless, and criminals looking for a easy place to ambush the unsuspecting and making a swift getaway.
We're not talking about Atlantis type of walled community... We're talking about aluminum swing gates!!! And just who has what to say about the private property rights of citizens who abide within the rules and building codes.
Instead of getting all hot and bothered on this property, which will bring a welcomed enhancement to a vacant lot... Why don't you and McVoy raise your voices to all the code violations for rundown prioertues and of slum lord properties. Clearly, you have your head in the sand and can't or won't see that improving residential properties helps us all... We get less crime, prettier streets, families who aren't afraid of walking in their neighborhoods, and yes, maybe stronger and appreciating property values. That's what the majority of people want.