Key West Citizen Editorial

In today's edition of the Key West Citizen, the following editorial was run.

Bahama Village should
benefit from waterfront

Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson recently came out with harsh criticism of the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust and its plans to develop a portion of the Truman Waterfront. In place of the BCCLT proposal, McPherson offered the idea of a water park on the Truman Waterfront property. As any nonprofit, the BCCLT has at times struggled financially. And as other nonprofits, it has wrestled with growing pains. The organization’s matriarch, Norma Jean Sawyer, should be commended for her dedication to the organization over the years. It is important to note that, rumor and innuendo aside, the BCCLT has been audited every year since its inception, and each time it has received a clean bill of health. Additionally, the organization has a new deputy executive director, Wheeler Winstead. Winstead brings with him a master of business administration and a background in real estate development. McPherson acknowledged that hiring Winstead would help carry the BCCLT to the next level. The BCCLT’s proposed development received strong support during the last election — the referendum passed overwhelmingly. The proposal also is integral to the conveyance agreement between the Navy and the city, as laid out in economic conveyance documents. For the sake of clarity, here are objectives outlined in the executive summary of the conveyance: • Enhancing the economic health and long-term viability of the city’s tourism-dependent business base; • Developing and protecting a vibrant multiuse port facility; • Creating and retaining high-quality employment opportunities for Key West citizens, and in particular for residents of Bahama Village, the city’s historic African- American neighborhood located adjacent to the site; • Preserving and enhancing the economic foundation of Bahama Village; • Providing needed affordable commercial sites for resident entrepreneurs and existing businesses in order to allow them to compete for

Editorial a share of Key West’s increasingly competitive retail/service trade; and • Expanding economic opportunities and training for Key West’s homeless and needy residents to help break the cycle of poverty. As these goals clearly show, it was the intent of both the Navy and the city for a large part of the transferred property to directly benefit Bahama Village, its residents and others in our community who are struggling. In thinking about water parks in general, we question the mayor’s rationale, and are curious to see the results of the study he says is being conducted to gauge the merits of such an attraction in Key West. A brief Internet search shows the top 10 water parks in America are in landlocked cities, with very few water parks located on the coast. We also question the simple matter of having enough land to support a successful water park. Most major water parks cover upward of 50 acres — Key West has a fraction of that available. There is also the question of water supply and use. Water parks have enormous water demands, and with the city facing permanent water restrictions, we must ask if this is the best use of resources. Some residents have sug gested — in jest — that the mayor’s water park concept be merged with an idea fielded awhile back by County Commission candidate Sloan Bashinsky — a clothing- optional pirate-themed park on Wisteria Island. If the city built a nude water park on Wisteria Island, it surely would have the only one of its kind and easily attract national attention and a niche market. Seriously, though, it’s time to make some progress on the Truman Waterfront property and follow the plans that have been in place for many years now — plans that were established through years of study and negotiation, and that have been publicly vetted. We urge the city to assist the BCCLT in moving its project forward so the entire community can all reap the benefits for years to come. — The Citizen