Bob Kelly ( http://therealkeywest.blogspot.com/ ) has consistently taken a lead role in keeping the citizens of Key West informed on important issues. There are some that say that the story of Truman Annex, as far as the Key West community is concerned, is a sad tale of broken promises. We can only hope that the final settlement outlined below will not be a continuation of that long, sad tale.
Short notice, I know, but the City Commission will consider approval of settlement agreement with TAMPOA at tonight's Commission Meeting, 6:00 PM at Old City Hall. (March 4, 2008).
Here's a letter from one Bahama Village resident outlining her concerns that the proposed agreement still doesn't address the concerns of Bahama village residents and that it still isn't fair to the residents of Key West.
Dear Friends,
They're baaaack.
At tomorrow evening's City Commission meeting the Truman Annex Property Owner'sAssociation is requesting the Commissioners vote to permit them to put a gate atSouthard St.
Their request sounds so reasonable; that they only want to restrict traffic at certain hours. But they don't own Southard St. and have no right to block a public street, as neither you nor I can decide we don't like traffic on our street so let's put up a gate toblock it. Pardon me if I am suspicious that this is only the foot in the door of their long-range plan to direct all traffic through the streets of Bahama Village - where the streets are narrowand where children still ride their bicycles, and away from the gated communityof Truman Annex and where there are predominantly part-time winter residents, renters, and virtually no children or community. Not only does Truman Annex want to restrict access, they want the City of KeyWest to maintain it for them. And, they want 2 other streets built withn 6 months for entry and exit to theWaterfront. At issue, though, is who owns Southard St.City Attorney believes that the City cannot prove ownership because of the transfer agreement granted when Truman Annex was first built, and that title insurance was obtained on Southard St. by TAMPOA. However, for those in attendance at prior a Commission meeting, developer Pritam Singh stated publically that at no time was private ownership of Southard St. ever contemplated or sought. And, despite repeated requests, the attorney and residents of Truman Annex only proof is that transfer agreement and a title insurance policy they obtained as their claim of ownership of Southard St. It is very important that there be a strong showing from the Citizens of the City of KeyWest at this meeting tomorrow evening to let our Commissioners know what a terrible precedent giving permission to put a gate up on Southard St. sets.I personally fail to understand why they need a gate when they already have a guard houseand security personnel. If at all possible, and you have an opposition to ceding a public street to a private interest, please attend - or write a quick letter and deliver it to City Clerk Cherie Smith for reading into the records. Thanks!
Suzanne
I have mixed feelings on the proposed settlement. TAMPOA concedes that Southard Street can be used for two-way traffic during the hours of 6 A.M. to 10 P.M., and other minor concessions. However, the City concedes that TAMPOA has the right to place gates on both ends of the short stretch between Thomas Street and the Truman Waterfront park and to control access through the gates between 10 P.M. and 6 A.M. There are rumors about that the Navy will step in and ban the gates, but there is no official statement to that effect. The discussion is sure to be heated and I can't predict what the outcome will be. My concern is that the continued litigation will continue to affect development of the Waterfront Park, something I hope to see in my lifetime.
Stay tuned.
