Stet NewsGood morning, Stetters. It’s time to shine! For you today, who gets to decide what city commissioners can say? Riviera Beach’s fast forward, county administrator’s new contract and new car, a city-owned vacancy on Clematis Street, Gardens quiets trains and no more Lola’s.
🚫 Lake Worth Beach and Alligator Alcatraz
Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Chris McVoy is at the center of a heated debate over whether federal immigration policy is an appropriate topic to discuss at city meetings.
Catch up quick: McVoy uses his comments at the end of commission meetings to share concerns about how city residents, some of whom are detained at Alligator Alcatraz, are living in fear of immigration raids.
Why it matters: He drew criticism from commissioners who say his comments have nothing to do with city business and only prolong lengthy meetings. McVoy insists local officials have a duty to consider the impact of national policies on their constituents.
What he’s saying: “Sometimes people on this particular commission seem to forget that we have a duty to represent all residents in our city. And some of the things I bring up are directly affecting our residents. And I will continue to do that,” McVoy told commissioners July 11.
- Nearly half of Lake Worth Beach’s nearly 43,000 residents are Latino.
The other side: Vice Mayor Sarah Malega suggested the commission consider rules to limit comments. The changes would restrict commissioners to topics directly related to Lake Worth Beach business and affairs, not state, federal or international issues.
In one exchange, Mayor Betty Resch expressed frustration with McVoy, who was reelected in March:
- “Once again you have chosen to express that you are the person on the commission who takes the higher ground, which I think is a little insulting to the rest of us,” Resch said.
Read more about McVoy’s reasoning and why he accused commissioners of having their “head in the sand” and being “derelict of duty” at StetNews.org
— Joe Capozzi
✨ Condos to play on Broadway
A four-tower, 508-condominium development proposed in Riviera Beach is dramatic evidence the coastal real estate boom that city leaders long for may finally have arrived on Broadway.
What’s happening: The $480 million project planned for a vacant block west of Broadway between 11th and 12th streets won city Planning and Zoning Board approval last week.
Why it matters: Just two years ago, a planning commissioner lamented that the 4 acres were destined to become a boat yard.
- Still, the new headquarters of Mariner Marine, managed by businessman John Staluppi got the board’s reluctant blessing.
But in March, a firm controlled by developer Jeffrey Sobel bought the block for $12 million, property records show. And on Thursday, Mariner Marine project designer Terry returned to the planning board with the game-changing condo proposal.
The big picture: The shift to condos is part of a residential transformation of a long derelict edge of the city just north of the industrial uses at the Port of Palm Beach.
- It is across the street from two projects promising 567 apartments developed on city property by the Miami-based Related Group and partners.
- One block west of the Sobel condo project, on Avenue E, the Riviera Beach CRA is planning townhomes for people with a mix of incomes on another empty lot. REG Architects of West Palm Beach is the designer of the Villa L’Onz townhouse project.
The city also has been working to draw more restaurants, stores and a hotel to the Marina Village, although plans pursued two years ago to bring a Margaritaville hotelfizzled out.
What’s next: The City Council, serving as the CRA board, has favorably reviewed the project. Now that the planning board has unanimously approved it, city planner Curt Thompson said city staff will work out final details with Sobel before it goes to the City Council for review.
See more renderings and learn details of the condo project at StetNews.org
— Carolyn DiPaolo
🤝 $425,000 and a Chevy Tahoe
Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Joe Abruzzo will earn $425,000 annually when he leaves his elected position to become county administrator on Aug. 19.
- He will also receive a seven-passenger Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, worth up to $69,000. (He’ll pay for any options above that amount.)
Why it matters: Abruzzo stands to change the direction of a county government that had just two top leaders over the past 33 years. Among his first proposals: Require all employees to undergo evaluations and roll back automatic 6% salary increases.
Zoom in: Abruzzo will get a roughly $257,000 salary bump from his current job. He will be paid about $38,000 less than his predecessor, Verdenia Baker.
In brief comments to the commission Thursday, Abruzzo pledged to “lead by example.”
What he said: Future raises will apply to his position and be “tied to performance and metrics,” he said of the new pay scale that likely will start next year. “I’m trying to lead by example.”
Of note: Assistant County Administrator Isami Ayala-Collazo, a rival for the top job, resigned her position after commissioners selected Abruzzo on June 17. Deputy Administrator Patrick Rutter, another finalist for the job, is staying on.
What’s next: Abruzzo’s departure means the county’s chief judge, Glenn Kelley, must appoint a temporary clerk and comptroller. Abruzzo’s permanent replacement will be selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Read more about Abruzzo’s contract and candidates to replace him as county clerk at StetNews.org.
— Jane Musgrave
📸 A vacancy on Clematis Street
West Palm Beach has vacant space to lease on Clematis Street, and the Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s rebirth is stalled.
Catch up quick: The city evicted the Photo Centre from its prime space on the ground and second floor of the City Hall-library complex in 2022. After a court battle, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency paid $1 million to buy out the center’s lease and the nonprofit departed in January.
Why it’s important: Without a home, the center has delayed the launch of a proposed film school, first reported by Stet in January, and has not decided if it will hold its international Foto Fusion event next year. The city, in its first public comments on plans for the 26,000-square-foot space, said it has interest from several potential tenants and is working with real estate broker Colliers.
What they’re saying: “The street could have a really great entertainment type of use,” Chris Roog, executive director of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, told Stet News.
- He cited examples such as an indoor golf facility, restaurants or stores.
Zoom out: The city recruited the Photo Centre in 2008 as a tourism lure, providing a 30-year lease at a nominal rate. But city officials indicated they could get more renting the site to for-profit users and evicted the center.
Faced with the uncertainty about its location, the center did not hold Foto Fusion this year and does not know if it will hold it again next year, Executive Director Fatima NeJame said.
- The center is looking in the Boynton Beach area to secure a permanent home for its proposed film school and photo museum and store.
“We’ve got some options,” said Andy “A.P.” Ferullo, a film professional who will be in charge of the school. “But it’s the chicken or the egg. Do we rent space before we have the enrollment?”
Read more about the fallout from the city’s decision to evict the Photo Centre at StetNews.org.
— Laurie Mermet
🤫 Muzzled train horns
Ever since Brightline extended service from West Palm Beach to Orlando in 2023,most of the north county cities along the Florida East Coast Railway tracks have been working to quiet the frequent train horns.
What’s happening: Last week, Palm Beach Gardens became the first of those cities to meet the stringent federal standards to achieve quiet zone status.
- Jupiter says it’s soon to follow.
Why it matters: Brightline’s 32 passenger trains per day, plus the noisier freight trains, were required to sound their horns four times at every street crossing. While engineers can still blast their horn for safety reasons, quiet zones are expected to bring welcomed calm to residents living along the tracks.
Zoom in: South county cities established quiet zones in 2018, when Brightline began service to Miami. North county cities began pursuing improvements in 2023 with $3.5 million in federal money coordinated by the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency.
Catch up quick: After it leaves West Palm Beach, Brightline goes through five towns with 19 crossings in north county: Riviera Beach with four, Lake Park (two), Gardens (six), Jupiter (six) and Tequesta (one).
Where the money went:
- Signal gate improvements to assure cars and pedestrians can’t enter the intersection when a train is coming.
- Signs, medians, pavement markings, lighting.
To pass federal muster, Palm Beach Gardens spent another $125,000 on improvements at its six crossings: Hood Road, Kyoto Gardens Drive, RCA Boulevard, Burns Road, Lighthouse Drive and Richard Road.
What they’re saying: “It’s a great achievement,” Gardens Mayor Marcie Tinsley said. “This long anticipated milestone is a major step forward in enhancing the quality of life for our residents.”
Of note: Cities have to apply to the Federal Railroad Administration for quiet zone status. Only Lake Park is not pursuing it.
Read more about the effort to quiet the trains in northern Palm Beach County at StetNews.org.
Also, check out “Killer Train,” an investigation by the Miami Herald and WLRN that found 182 people had been killed by Brightline trains since the passenger rail service began in 2018.
— Joel Engelhardt
🍊 The Juice
🔌 If FPL’s proposed base rate hike is approved in full, the company could charge customers double to pay its federal taxes, the state consumer advocate wrote in filings to utility regulators.
- The company’s requested range for its rate of return has a midpoint of 11.9%, which would be the highest for any electric utility in the nation, lawyers opposing the hike said.
- Florida Power & Light has said that the hike to base rates is necessary for it to cover the costs of a booming population that is demanding more energy. (Tampa Bay Times)
🎯 Broward County and Gainesville are the first targets of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ DOGE-like budget reviews, with Palm Beach County in the crosshairs. Officials are demanding extensive finance and spending data from Florida cities and counties, many of which the Republican leaders accuse of misusing taxpayer dollars. (Tallahassee Democrat)
❓ Where is Jimmy Hoffa buried? The son of a mobster who owned a New Jersey landfill says he knows. But his deal to sell his story to a Boca company ended in a lawsuit — and a fascinating yarn. Meanwhile, the former Teamsters president’s resting place remains a mystery 50 years after his disappearance. (ByJoeCapozzi.com)
Eighteen-year-old U.S. citizen Kenny Laynez was detained for six hours in May by Florida Highway Patrol and Border Patrol agents. The story of his arrest, captured on video, drew outrage. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
💰 Miami-based Related Group paid $50 million for 10 acres at the former Office Depot headquarters site in Boca Raton. Plans call for 500 apartments. Sellers BH Group and PEBB Enterprises retained 19 acres. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
🟢 Traffic signals along a 32-mile stretch of U.S. 1 will stay green longer for Palm Tran buses equipped with $11 million worth of technology installed by Port St. Lucie-based Gerelco Traffic Controls. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
🎙️ “Top of Mind Florida,” the podcast with Michael Williams and Brian Crowley, welcomes Charles Zelden, professor of history and political science at Nova Southeastern University. (Listen here. Watch after 2 pm here)
561NSIDER: 🦞 No more lobster rolls
Lola’s Seafood Eatery in Palm Beach Gardens, known for its lobster rolls, has closed.
What’s driving the news: The owner’s son, Chad Paolino, said it no longer made money and he has no interest in opening elsewhere. He stepped in to manage it after his father, Charlie, died in 2020.
Why it matters: The small spot for dine-in and carry-out on Northlake Boulevard just west of Military Trail offered New England-style dining since 2009.
What they’re saying: “We have people who have been coming here every week. We know them and know their orders,” manager Denise DeGray said. “It’s heartbreaking. I’ve been here 16 years. This was a shock to all of us.”
- “Oh no! This is so sad,” said Taylor Morgan, a Boston native, upon hearing the news. “This place always reminded me of home. … It was the real deal. It was always a very generous portion of fresh Maine lobster. Not frozen. The bun was the New England split-top bun, perfectly grilled on either side. … And the surprise was their side salad. I don’t go on and on about salads, but Lola’s side salad was the best I’ve ever had in my life.”
Of note: DeGray said the orange-basil vinaigrette was a big hit, though “everyone thought it was made with avocado, because it’s green, but there’s no avocado in it.”
Read more: Owner’s son says not as many Northeasterners are moving to Palm Beach County at StetNews.org.
— Jan Norris
Carmageddon: If the CSX Railway gets its workers and materials in place by Friday evening, the railroad crossing at Northlake Boulevard — a lifeline for thousands of residents west of the Beeline Highway — will be ripped apart starting at 8 pm and rebuilt in eight days. That gives CSX two weekends and five weekdays to get it done or run smack dab into the first day of school. Since commuters will be asked to follow 20- to 35-mile detours to get around The Acreage/Loxahatchee, having the crossing closed when school starts would be a particularly vexing outcome. The last chance for CSX to change the start date is 8 tonight. Stay tuned.
