FOLLOW me on my popular Twitter feed. Just click this photo! @hbbtruth - David - Common sense on #Politics #PublicPolicy #Sports #PopCulture in USA, Great Britain, Sweden and France, via my life in #Texas #Memphis #Miami #IU #Chicago #DC #FL 🛫🌍📺📽️🏈. Photo is of Elvis and Joan Blackman in 'Blue Hawaii'
Beautiful Stockholm at night, looking west towards Gamla Stan
WPLG-TV/Channel 10 (Miami, FL) reporter Roger Lohse talks to Hollywood developer Lon Tabatchnick and Weston businessman Joseph Sloboda about the practical effects of the U.S. government's EB-5 Visa program, and how it allows American business projects to get critical financial backing from foreign investors. Tabatchnick credits this program for allowing his proposal for the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort on Hollywood Beach to move forward.
I feel the need to publicly preface this news about a Tuesday morning meeting regarding the Margaritaville Resort/Johnson Street CRA project on Hollywood Beach with a few words about something that dozens of my friends and I are in complete agreement on, having seen this sort of episode be repeated FAR TOO MANY TIMES this past year with the City of Hollywood's announcement email list, which we are all on.
Think of it as constructive criticism.
Like me, my friends in SE Broward are NOT real crazy about receiving meeting announcements that are sent out -for the first time- 18 hours before the meeting starts.
It's just like the Miami Herald's own well-known penchant for writing about morning government meetings taking place that day in THAT morning's Herald, instead of days in advance, if not the day before.
I won't be able to attend this meeting, otherwise, I'd film it and place some of the more interesting excerpts here on the blog and on my YouTube Channel, which, I hasten to add, will see a huge change in focus in the coming new year.
Positive tangible changes.
-----
City of Hollywood, Florida
Office of the City Manager
REVISED
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2011
Contact: Raelin Storey
Director Public Affairs & Marketing
Phone: 954. 921.3098
954.812.0975 (cell)
Fax: 954.921.3314
E-mail: rstorey@hollywoodfl.org
Upcoming Meeting on Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort Project
December 6 at 10 a.m.
HOLLYWOOD, FL - On Tuesday, December 6 at 10 a.m. members of the Hollywood Beach Community Development District 1 will meet at Garfield Community Center, 300 Connecticut Street (2nd floor of City Parking Garage). In addition to other business items, the members will review the proposed assessment for the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort development needed to fund the public parking component.
(This assessment will not apply to other properties in or near the redevelopment site.)
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Wednesday, December 14 update by Lon Tabatchnick to the City Commission will be held at a later date to be determined.
For more information, contact the Office of the City Manager at 954.921.3201.
For media inquiries, please contact Raelin Storey, Public Affairs Director at 954.921.3098.
# # #
-----
Official City of Hollywood website for the Johnson Street RFP/Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort Project:
I received an e-mail reminder about this important meeting on Monday about Hollywood Beach's Margaritaville Resort project on Johnson Street from the City of Hollywooda few days ago, and had meant to post this earlier so those of you who are late to this issuecan make arrangement to see and hear what's what for yourself. That includes 95% of the South Florida news media, but who's counting?
A larger version of the photo I snapped at one of the Hollywood City Commission meetings of the projected look of the complex, above, is here: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2VkaJkg0DxNcGGZF3catOo2bqiGk53Upu-gy8K2qnbCw9hyodtQrkxs3okxfWrpRaTHpULhoWRMbFjZdeUkrfExd63bFDwCqye7hrfxHam7CJ5fIQzRSJKKusoaU_rIwEYn2WPY_BWRM/s1600/032.JPG
That photo accompanied my April 7, 2010 post: Margaritaville unanimous choice of Hollywood City Commission for Johnson Street project over Planet Hollywood http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/margaritaville-unanimous-choice-of.html
This particular photo, which would feature the plane near The Broadwalk, can be seen in larger format at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49owJx8lADsLsRV58XsdG-PL4NmbwzdR0BtRS0D7VEhoNiMCkSr9OpNhqmK8LDWKXxsbaiPnzdMTgifhJxxzEXlnN8jsSV0TNj0sUs-h8JewvLGIPTOOgmSxIbwVeSY4dfXPKWjBErRH1/s1600/034.JPG To catch up on what's been going on thus far, officially, go here: http://www.hollywoodfl.org/html/johnsonstbeachrfp.htm
My own version of the past on the Johnson Street project is here: http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Margaritaville%20Resort and here http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Margaritaville%20Resort -----
http://www.hollywoodfl.org/wkcalendar/calendar_city.htm TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING Monday, October 18, 2010 10:00-11:00 a.m. Hollywood City Hall 2ND FLOOR – ROOM 215, 2600 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
AGENDA
A. TAC MEMBER INTRODUCTION,
B. FINAL SITE PLAN REVIEW,
1.FILE NO.10-DP-59 APPLICANT: City of Hollywood/ Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, LLC.,
LOCATION: 300 Johnson Street/1112 N. Ocean Drive (Generally located north of Michigan Street, south of Johnson Street, east of the Intracoastal Waterway and west of the Atlantic Ocean)
REQUEST: Final Site Plan Review for a 349 room hotel including restaurant, retail, banquet hall, swimming pools, and associated public/private parking garage
C. OLD BUSINESS None, D: NEW BUSINESS None
Legal description for each of the above petitions is on file in the Department of Planning and Development Services. Two or more members of any other City board, commission, or committee, who are not members of this committee, may attend this meeting and may, at that time, discuss matters on which foreseeable action may later be taken by their board, commission, or committee. Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to participate in city programs and/or services may call the Office of the City Manager five business days in advance at (954) 921-3582 (voice). If an individual is hearing or speech impaired, please call 1-800-955-8771 (V-TDD).
Tonight, around 7:20 p.m., following a two-hour meeting featuring lots of discourse about remaining true to founder Joseph Young's ideals as well as concern over aspects of financing for both bidders, the Hollywood City Commission voted 7-0 for Margaritaville Resort's proposal at Johnson Street on Hollywood Beach, leaving Planet Hollywood second in a two-horse race.
The city will now begin a 90-day period of exclusive negotiations with Margaritaville's principals aimed at creating a dynamic presence at the Central Beach area that has seen so many failed proposals over the past few decades.
If negotiations reach a deadlock in 90 days, the city will contact the group that was more formally known as the Ocean Resort and Village by Planet Hollywood and begin negotiations with them aimed at getting something up as soon as possible.
I should have photos and video of tonight's meeting here Thursday morning.
I will be writing and opining about the Johnson StreetRFP at Hollywood Beach over the weekend, http://www.hollywoodfl.org/purchasing/pdf/RFP-4212-09-IS.pdf along with some photos and video, having put it off since last week's formal pitches to the Evaluation Committee, but wanted to post this now as a reminder of this very important event on Monday, since I received this email this afternoon from Hollywood City Hall.
See the city's excellent website for the Johnson StreetRFP athttp://www.hollywoodfl.org/html/johnsonstbeachrfp.htm
I also encourage you to read Sara Case's commentsat her excellent Balance Sheet Online website, http://www.balancesheetonline.com/ and click the Bigger Not Better link on the left to see her comments from October 18th.
Sara and I both attended last week's presentation and much- preferred the Planet Hollywood presentation to the Margaritaville one, even though there were some aspects of it that we wish would be modified.
Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at Hollywood City Hall
HOLLYWOOD, FL – The City of Hollywood will host a Community Forum on the redevelopment proposals under consideration for the Johnson Street site on Hollywood Beach on Monday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 219 at Hollywood City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard.Residents will hear presentations on two different redevelopment proposals: Margaritaville at Hollywood Beach and Ocean Resort and Village by Planet Hollywood.
Last summer the City of Hollywood issued a two-stage Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the nearly 6 acres of city-owned land located at Johnson Street and A1A on Hollywood Beach.This RFP was developed after numerous community meetings to gather input from Hollywood residents and business owners about their ideas and priorities for this important beachfront site.
The stage II proposals were due on February 18, 2010.Two development teams submitted proposals:Margaritaville at Hollywood Beach, LLC and Hollywood Beach Partners, LLC for Ocean Resort and Village by Planet Hollywood.These proposals, along with the video of the Stage II Evaluation Committee proceedings, can be viewed on the City’s website, www.hollywoodfl.org, by clicking on “Johnson Street/Beach RFP” under Hot Information.
The Community Forum will provide an opportunity for the public to hear from both development teams and ask questions about each team’s project plans.These public comments, along with the evaluation committee’s recommendation and consultant reports will be forwarded to the City Commission members for their review and consideration in preparation for the April 7th regular City Commission meeting.At that time, the City Commission will discuss the proposals, take additional public comments and be asked to authorize staff to begin negotiations with one or both development groups.
For additional information, please contact Raelin Storey, Public Affairs Director at 954.921.3098.
I'll have more comments here later tonight about this matter but wanted to post this basic info before 6 p.m. just in case it caught someone's attention who had forgotten it was scheduled for Thursday.
My comments follow the press release about Thursday's very interesting foray into planning, economic development and public policy, Hollywood-style.
It's the next step in a process of getting something in place over at Johnson Street and State Road A1A that is appealing and captures the imagination of both tourists and Hollywood residents alike, creates jobs, is aesthetically attractive if not iconic -and F-U-N!
FYI: The Margaritaville Casino Resort project in Biloxi, Mississippi, backed by Harrah's Entertainment, is currently on hold http://www.grandcasinobiloxi.com/casinos/grand-biloxi/casino-misc/margaritaville.html
See what their Orlando complex looks like: http://www.universalorlando.com/Citywalk/Restaurants/jimmy_buffett_margaritaville.aspx -----
The Evaluation Committee meeting for JohnsonStreet Beach Stage II Detailed Development Proposals has been scheduled for Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hollywood City Hall, Room 219. The public is invited to attend, but not speak at this meeting.
The meeting will be taped and later aired on the Government Channel 78 and also on the City's website at www.hollywoodfl.org. RSVP's are not required to attend either meeting.
A Community Forum has been set for Monday, March 15, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hollywood City Hall, Room 219. Developer presentations to the public followed by a Questions/Answer session. Refreshments will be served.
Please be advised the "Cone of Silence" remains in effect preventing Developers from communicating with Members of the City Commission and most City Staff.
The March 4, 2010 Evaluation Committee Meeting sequence was determined as follows:
Margaritaville Resort at Hollywood Beach, LLC
Presentation from 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Consultant Reports and Question/Answer session from 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Lunch Break 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Hollywood Beach Partners, LLC
Presentation from 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Consultant Reports and Question/Answer session from 1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Evaluation Committee will begin deliberations and rankings at 3:45 p.m.
The March 15, 2010 Community Forum Agenda:
1. Introduction and Opening Comments
2. Oral Presentations from Proposers:
Hollywood Beach Partners, LLC
20 minute presentation
20 minute question and answer session with the Public
Margaritaville Resort at Hollywood Beach, LLC
20 minute presentation
20 question and answer session with the Public
3. Adjournment
We look forward to seeing you at these very important meetings!
---------- And this related bit of news from Terry Cantrell, President of the Hollywood Lakes Section Civic Association
http://www.hollywoodlakes.com/ NEXT HLSCA MEETING: Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. Time 7:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Beach Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Drive.
Guest speaker: Asst. City Manager Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark on the Johnson Street Beach project and other important issues. Refreshments will be served. For info, call 954-923-1940.
Free parking.
ALL RESIDENTS are always WELCOME!
---------- I hasten to add that Terry Cantrell has been a great friend to the concerned citizen taxpayers of Hallandale Beach even while we have been sold-out by our own mayor and Commissioners Ross and Sanders and most of the Hallandale Beach business establishment, such as it is, led by HB Chamber of Commerce head Patricia Genetti, a woman who has continually spoken publicly in favor of the Diplomat'sabsurd and incompatible proposals for turning this small ocean-side city into a pinball machine, with multiple towers towering over residential neighborhoods and plunging them into near-permanent darkness, while their thousands of additional cars make the current gridlock even worse. As if that was possible. But we all know it is.
Here's the statement put out by HLSCA
-Lakes Residents:
The Broward County Planning Council heard the Diplomat Golf and Country and City of Hallandale Beach request for a land use change to Local Activity Center (LAC) on Thursday and voted 12 to 4 to approve the plan despite the Council's Staff recommendation of denial. The plan consists of 950 new condo units in a number of high rise buildings (from 20 to 27 stories) spread out along the perimeter of the existing golf course. The golf course would remain as is. In addition, a new hotel would be built for approximately 500 rooms. The HLSCA as well as many Hallandale Beach residents and condo associations urged the Planning Council to deny the application due to incompatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods as well as a potential increase in traffic and congestion. The Planning Council vote of approval is based upon the applicant working with the City of Hallandale Beach to further refine the plan by lowering the building heights and creating a workable traffic plan. The plan will ultimately come before the Broward County Commission for final approval in late March.
It should be noted that the City of Hollywood Dept. of Planning and Development also supported the Planning Council's Staff recommendation of denial. The HLSCA thanks our City's Staff for their support. They recognize that this project, if and when if ever gets built, will, indeed, increase traffic through the Lakes neighborhood. Currently, many Hallandale Beach residents use the Lakes streets to cut through to the north as no one wants to drive on the very congested Hallandale Beach Blvd.
The HLSCA would like to recognize the well organized United Condo Association of Hallandale Beach led by Luis Paredes for all their hard work on this issue. They are truly a force in Hallandale Beach and deserve respect and admiration for strongly advocating on behalf of their membership and all the residents of Hallandale Beach.
We will continue to monitor this project as it, hopefully, morphs into an acceptable development that will not negatively impact the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Stay tuned....
Meanwhile in Hollywood... Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., I'll be at Hollywood City Hall, Room 219, for the public evaluation and presentation of the four submitted proposals for the Johnson Street redevelopment project. http://www.hollywoodfl.org/html/JohnsonStBeachRFP.htm
Though it's open to the public, this meeting won't have a public Q&A component.
As it was explained to me recently, each team will have 40 minutes to make their presentation, 15 minutes for Q&A from the Hollywood Evaluation Committee, who were all 'coned,' and with 5 minutes for breaks/other, so that the morning can pass in an organized fashion that's fair for all involved and understood by everyone in advance. The deliberations will begin at 1:00 p.m. (Were that we had some of this sort of fair and common sense logic in the Duchy of Hallandale Beach!)
The proceedings will be taped for later broadcast on Channel 78 to ensure maximum awareness of the various proposals. on Thursday, October 15 at 6:00 p.m. and Monday, October 19 at 9:00 a.m.
You will also be able to view the meeting beginning on Thursday, October 15 on the City of Hollywood website www.hollywoodfl.org on the Johnson Street RFP webpage. The proposals will be judged on a pass/fail basis, and all four could pass or none of them or some number under four. The more the merrier.
Like your sense of anticipation of a really successful first date at a nice upscale restaurant you enjoy being at but don't go to very often, I hope to be pleasantly surprised and maybe, dare I say it, even "Wowed."
But I'm also prepared to have to later chalk it all up as just a valuable "learning experience' if not so great, and start all over again.
The competitors that pass tomorrow will then move on to the meeting with the Hollywood City Commission on Wednesday October 21st to confirm their status. since in the end, it's the Commission's decision.
A 'coned' status will remain on the Evaluation Comm. and the Hollywood City Commission after Stage 2 until the City Manager executes a signed agreement with the winning bidder.
At which point, no doubt, a day of national Thanksgiving will likely be held to commemorate this feat! And there will be much rejoicing!
What to do about Johnson Street will be the subject of two meetings
By Ihosvani Rodriguez
June 11, 2009
HOLLYWOOD
City officials are asking residents to put on their thinking caps and come up with ideas on what to do with a city-owned property on the beach.
The first of two informal public meetings will be held next week to gather input on the long-awaited redevelopment of the city-owned Johnson Street property at A1A on Hollywood beach.
The first meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
A second meeting will be at the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center on June 18.
The city has also established an e-mail address to gather comments: johnsonstreetrfp@hollywoodfl.org.
The meetings come after a developer walked away from a plan
to build a $100 million hotel and beach resort on the property
now occupied by an aging garage and a parking lot.
--------------------
See also:City seeks community input for Johnson Street property
