| Our Neighborhood Information
Forum
"The Truman Waterfront: What's ahead?"
was very well-attended.
CLICK HERE for some photos of the event. Below is a news
article recapping the forum, from the April 9 Key West Citizen. |
100 gather for update on plans to develop
Truman Waterfront
Florida Keys News
By MANDY BOLEN Citizen Staff
Nearly 100 people filled the auditorium at the Eco-Discovery
Center Wednesday evening to hear updates about the latest plans
for the Truman Waterfront.
Last Stand, which aims to preserve the quality of life in Key
West, hosted the community forum that included representatives
from the city, the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCLT),
the Navy and the Assisted-Living Coalition, all of which have an
interest in the 33 acres.
After 10-minute presentations from the land trust, the
assisted-living coalition and the city, moderator David Lybrand
opened the forum for questions from the public.
Doug Bradshaw, the city's ports project manager, advised the
audience of the city's two main planned components of the
waterfront -- a marina and a park area.
The Navy is continuing an environmental cleanup at the park
site, Bradshaw said.
And the city has received two proposals from developers who want
to build the marina. He said he hopes to present them to the
City Commission next month.
Norma Jean Sawyer, executive director of the BCCLT, presented
her group's plan for about 100 affordable apartments with
rooftop gardens and first-floor retail space. The six acres set
aside for the BCCLT still are awaiting approval of a 99-year
lease with the city for the land.
"And even though times seem tough out there, we have funding
available to us," Sawyer said.
Armando "Bookie" Henriquez, co-chair of the Florida Keys
Assisted-Living Coalition, presented that group's plan to
construct 95 independent-living units for senior citizens, and
40 assisted-living apartments.
Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson explained the city's new Truman
Waterfront Development Advisory Board, which, he said, is in
place to guide the development in case one of the city's
partners fails in its endeavors.
"Nobody wants that, but if faced with it, the last thing I want
to see is to be in the same position we were in three years
ago," McPherson said.
Questions from the audience ranged from the potential opening of
Cuba and its effect on the marina to environmentally friendly
construction practices.
Bradshaw and McPherson said both marina proposals include a
ferry terminal, possibly for Cuba, while Sawyer and Henriquez
said their projects will incorporate as many "green"
construction techniques as possible.
Sawyer added that the housing component includes catch basins
for rainwater and solar panels for free hot water.
She also emphasized that the BCCLT will "absolutely" use local
contractors for the construction.
Stock Island resident Diane Beruldsen was concerned about the
necessity of additional police and firefighting resources for
the new waterfront area.
McPherson said city officials believe current levels will be
sufficient, while Henriquez added that the assisted-living
facility will include its own security force.
Paul Williams wanted assurance from Henriquez that the
assisted-living units will be reserved for long-term Lower Keys
residents and not "wealthy people from West Palm Beach or
Beverly Hills."
Henriquez said his board is looking at restrictions that can
legally be placed on admission, but are hoping to have a 15- to
20-year Lower Keys residency requirement.
A reception followed the forum and allowed attendees to speak
more in-depth with project organizers.
mbolen@keysnews.com |
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