The Key West City Commission recently passed new land use ordinances that will begin changes in the city’s Comprehensive Plan to get it updated for the current climate. According to Planning Director, Amy Kimball-Murley, “We’re chipping away at the most dysfunctional parts of the code”.
The City Commission will be establishing a new rate of growth (ROGO) ordinance for Key West properties. ROGO dictates where and what kind of development can occur based on land-use ordinances and monitors new development in Key West. The Commission has to account for all of the building permits and new allocations, keep track of deadlines for permits, and provide annual report to the entire City Commission.
The Commission has approved changes for hurricanes since Hurricane Wilma allowing for a new roof pitch, which will help with flooding, while allowing for aesthetics in neighborhoods. The commission approved rebuilding of up to 30-feet from the prior 25-foot ordinance. The new ordinance gives an extra five feet for flooding. FEMA recommends 3-5 feet above ground to account for flood mitigation.
Let us worry about hurricane preparedness on your Key West home! Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com to see our Key West properties and residences for sale! Beachside Key West has a variety of condo floor plans available for purchase.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Key West Properties Prepare for the Opening of Cuba
The Keynoter reported that last Tuesday, the board of the Tourist Development Council met to discuss marketing the Florida Keys as a tourist destination when Cuba opens up to American tourists.
The TDC is preparing a “Two Nation Vacation – Keys Plus Cuba” advertising campaign. The 10-page plan details targeting visitors to the Keys that are also “curious about Cuba” and encouraging those travelers to stay in the Keys hotels and take day trips to Cuba, fifty-five miles south.
The TDC began preparing a marketing plan for Cuba in 2002 because of the belief that Cuba “is not prepared to handle a large influx of American tourists”. One million foreigners visited Cuba in 1996 and 2.3 million foreigners visited in 2008.
It is estimated by the International Monetary Fund that, if opened today, Cuba would have more than 3 million visitors in the first year and would not enough hotel rooms to accommodate tourists. The demographics of the future Cuban visitor is being gauged as wealthy North Americans from the Eastern seaboard and Canada. The projected campaign will work with the tourist agencies of Cuba to target both North Americans and Europeans.
Interested in visiting or buying property in Key West? Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com for more information on our Key West properties for sale and how to own a piece of Key West without the hassle!
The TDC is preparing a “Two Nation Vacation – Keys Plus Cuba” advertising campaign. The 10-page plan details targeting visitors to the Keys that are also “curious about Cuba” and encouraging those travelers to stay in the Keys hotels and take day trips to Cuba, fifty-five miles south.
The TDC began preparing a marketing plan for Cuba in 2002 because of the belief that Cuba “is not prepared to handle a large influx of American tourists”. One million foreigners visited Cuba in 1996 and 2.3 million foreigners visited in 2008.
It is estimated by the International Monetary Fund that, if opened today, Cuba would have more than 3 million visitors in the first year and would not enough hotel rooms to accommodate tourists. The demographics of the future Cuban visitor is being gauged as wealthy North Americans from the Eastern seaboard and Canada. The projected campaign will work with the tourist agencies of Cuba to target both North Americans and Europeans.
Interested in visiting or buying property in Key West? Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com for more information on our Key West properties for sale and how to own a piece of Key West without the hassle!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Key West Treasures Discovered - Treasure Hunt While Staying at Beachside
This week, a silver plate over 400 years old was discovered by divers and a wreckage crew in Key West….
Divers from Mel Fisher’s Treasures found several pieces in the ocean that apparently, are from the 1622 wreck of the Spanish ship ‘Nuestra Senora de Atocha’. The pieces, salvaged by divers and work crews, were taken aboard the Dare salvage vessel. The treasure included a second, smaller plate, a crushed silver bowl and part of a rare, decorated ceramic bowl. The large silver plate is similar to one found by Gary Randolph, the VP of Operations, in 1997 – within close proximity to the current find.
The newly discovered silver plates are thought to have been stacked with other silverware, silver bars and silver coins that have not yet been uncovered. The company has claimed that “the silver was meticulously conserved and polished by Senior Conservator john Corcoran”. Experts have predicted that there is reason to believe that there is another “significant find” amid the previous wreckage.
The Dare crew continues to work the area to see if there is further treasure in the same trail….For those adventurers that are drawn to the vagabond culture of Key West, the city hosts the Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum at 1 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL and contains artifacts from 1856, which documented the richest shipwreck in Key West history. Guests can climb the 65’ lookout tower…..
Visiting Key West or the Shipwreck Historeum? Make a temporary or permanent home at Beachside Key West! Beachside Key West offers residences for sale with the benefits of resort amenities! Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com to see examples and floor plans of our condos for sale in Key West!
Divers from Mel Fisher’s Treasures found several pieces in the ocean that apparently, are from the 1622 wreck of the Spanish ship ‘Nuestra Senora de Atocha’. The pieces, salvaged by divers and work crews, were taken aboard the Dare salvage vessel. The treasure included a second, smaller plate, a crushed silver bowl and part of a rare, decorated ceramic bowl. The large silver plate is similar to one found by Gary Randolph, the VP of Operations, in 1997 – within close proximity to the current find.
The newly discovered silver plates are thought to have been stacked with other silverware, silver bars and silver coins that have not yet been uncovered. The company has claimed that “the silver was meticulously conserved and polished by Senior Conservator john Corcoran”. Experts have predicted that there is reason to believe that there is another “significant find” amid the previous wreckage.
The Dare crew continues to work the area to see if there is further treasure in the same trail….For those adventurers that are drawn to the vagabond culture of Key West, the city hosts the Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum at 1 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL and contains artifacts from 1856, which documented the richest shipwreck in Key West history. Guests can climb the 65’ lookout tower…..
Visiting Key West or the Shipwreck Historeum? Make a temporary or permanent home at Beachside Key West! Beachside Key West offers residences for sale with the benefits of resort amenities! Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com to see examples and floor plans of our condos for sale in Key West!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Day in Key West....
According to KeysNews.com, Irish culture is alive and well in Key West for St. Patrick’s Day….
This weekend, the Shanna Key Irish Pub Grill showcased the talents of Tara Brannigan-Ivanova’s Irish dancing students. Brannigan-Ivanova worked closely with the owner of Shanna Key, Barry Geary, to showcase Irish heritage, history and culture. Brannigan Ivanova’s students, who range in ages from 3 to 8, performed Irish dancing to traditional Irish music for a Sunday brunch. The performance was part of Brannigan-Ivanova and Geary’s “commitment to preserving Irish culture in a foreign land”. Brannigan-Ivanova, a resident of Key West for almost 20 years, is originally from Newcastle, Ireland, a town near Belfast. The pair plans a “halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” performance in September as well…..
For those looking for St. Patrick’s Day events in Cayo Hueso, it is popular to complete the pub crawl down Duval Street, hitting up bars from Hog’s Breath to Sloppy Joe’s. Irish Kevin’s, Finnegan’s Wake, and Shanna Key Irish Pub Grill will all have St. Patrick’s Day specials!!!
Visiting Key West this St. Patty’s Day? Visit us at BeachsideKeyWest.com to experience our resort amenities, fine dining and residences! Own a Key West residence without the hassle! Visit Beachside today!!!
This weekend, the Shanna Key Irish Pub Grill showcased the talents of Tara Brannigan-Ivanova’s Irish dancing students. Brannigan-Ivanova worked closely with the owner of Shanna Key, Barry Geary, to showcase Irish heritage, history and culture. Brannigan Ivanova’s students, who range in ages from 3 to 8, performed Irish dancing to traditional Irish music for a Sunday brunch. The performance was part of Brannigan-Ivanova and Geary’s “commitment to preserving Irish culture in a foreign land”. Brannigan-Ivanova, a resident of Key West for almost 20 years, is originally from Newcastle, Ireland, a town near Belfast. The pair plans a “halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” performance in September as well…..
For those looking for St. Patrick’s Day events in Cayo Hueso, it is popular to complete the pub crawl down Duval Street, hitting up bars from Hog’s Breath to Sloppy Joe’s. Irish Kevin’s, Finnegan’s Wake, and Shanna Key Irish Pub Grill will all have St. Patrick’s Day specials!!!
Visiting Key West this St. Patty’s Day? Visit us at BeachsideKeyWest.com to experience our resort amenities, fine dining and residences! Own a Key West residence without the hassle! Visit Beachside today!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Beachside Key West Welcomes Anglers for Key West Fishing Tournament
The Key West Fishing Tournament (KFWT) will hold its Kick-Off Tournament this weekend, March 13th to 15th.
The weekend tournament is part of a larger 7-month fishing competition that runs from March through November 30th. The tournament is open to the general public and has divisions for Men, Women, Juniors (10-14), and Pee Wees (under 10). Competitors have their catches weighed at official tournament weigh stations to receive certificates verifying the catch and weight. At the end of the tournament, prizes are awarded.
The tournament, which was founded in 1965, promotes sport fishing participation in Key West and the release of game fish, as well as promoting
conservation and tourism.
The tournament regularly has more than 2,000 anglers participating. There are a variety of tackle classifications for 44 different species in nine different line classes from 8lb to 50lbs. Awards given out include “Outstanding Angling Achievement” and the “Sportsmanship Award”. This weekend’s Kick-Off Tournament will also provide prizes, including a $5,000 cash prize for the heaviest kingfish over 55 lbs. For more information, contact Doris Harris, Tournament Director at 800-970-9056.
If you are participating in the Key West Fishing Tournament, be sure to check out the condos and residences at Beachside Key West. Enjoy full resort amenities from your Key West residence!
The weekend tournament is part of a larger 7-month fishing competition that runs from March through November 30th. The tournament is open to the general public and has divisions for Men, Women, Juniors (10-14), and Pee Wees (under 10). Competitors have their catches weighed at official tournament weigh stations to receive certificates verifying the catch and weight. At the end of the tournament, prizes are awarded.
The tournament, which was founded in 1965, promotes sport fishing participation in Key West and the release of game fish, as well as promoting
conservation and tourism.
The tournament regularly has more than 2,000 anglers participating. There are a variety of tackle classifications for 44 different species in nine different line classes from 8lb to 50lbs. Awards given out include “Outstanding Angling Achievement” and the “Sportsmanship Award”. This weekend’s Kick-Off Tournament will also provide prizes, including a $5,000 cash prize for the heaviest kingfish over 55 lbs. For more information, contact Doris Harris, Tournament Director at 800-970-9056.
If you are participating in the Key West Fishing Tournament, be sure to check out the condos and residences at Beachside Key West. Enjoy full resort amenities from your Key West residence!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Beachside Key West to Follow FEMA's Direction for Hurricanes
Craig Fugate, the next director of FEMA, has taken an proactive approach in anticipation for this year’s hurricane season……
The newest FEMA director was nominated by President Obama and is encouraging the residents of the Florida Keys, and Key West in particular, to be prepared for this year’s hurricane season. His message?? Evacuate.
Fugate is no stranger to the Keys. He has served as Florida’s emergency management director since 2001, is a former Miami-Dade fire chief and is proficient in hurricane preparedness. In fact, Fugate is credited with being a leader in the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a heavy year for South Florida that resulted in 8 major storms.
Key West is known to be in the “Zone of West Indian cyclones”, hurricanes that tend to hit heavily between August and September. The most severe hurricanes in Key West hit in October of 1846, 1909, and 1910. The hurricanes devastated the land and destroyed ships as well as a variety of cigar shops. The 1910 hurricane, dubbed “the repeater hurricane”, defied odds by hitting the island in just one year…..
Interested in Key West property? Check out BeachsideKeyWest.com for condos for sale in a resort environment – we’ll prepare for hurricanes for you!!!!
The newest FEMA director was nominated by President Obama and is encouraging the residents of the Florida Keys, and Key West in particular, to be prepared for this year’s hurricane season. His message?? Evacuate.
Fugate is no stranger to the Keys. He has served as Florida’s emergency management director since 2001, is a former Miami-Dade fire chief and is proficient in hurricane preparedness. In fact, Fugate is credited with being a leader in the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a heavy year for South Florida that resulted in 8 major storms.
Key West is known to be in the “Zone of West Indian cyclones”, hurricanes that tend to hit heavily between August and September. The most severe hurricanes in Key West hit in October of 1846, 1909, and 1910. The hurricanes devastated the land and destroyed ships as well as a variety of cigar shops. The 1910 hurricane, dubbed “the repeater hurricane”, defied odds by hitting the island in just one year…..
Interested in Key West property? Check out BeachsideKeyWest.com for condos for sale in a resort environment – we’ll prepare for hurricanes for you!!!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Higgs Beach Property in Key West to Get Improvements
It was announced late last week that there will be new efforts to restore Higgs Beach.
According to The Keynoter, Higgs Beach, a known hindrance in Monroe County, is getting a makeover. Although a tiny section, the beach is a significant portion of the tiny island of Key West. Higgs Beach exists within Key West city limits. In most recent years, it has become a haven for the homeless, and has made it so that the residents of Key West avoid the area.
In recent months, the beach has received increased police patrols. The measures have already reduced calls for service at Higgs Beach by two-thirds, but it hasn’t deterred the County Commission from calling for further measures. The Commission voted to increase spending by $40,000 for more Sheriff deputy patrols. The shifts result in “two, four-hour shifts that would be staggered so would-be offenders can’t rely on a pattern”.
Other clean-up efforts will include installing windows in the bathrooms, painting the pavilions and a new beach recycling program. Dent Pierce, the director of public works for Monroe County that operates the beach, has said that they will try to complete the new initiatives as soon as possible.
The Commission has also begun discussions about a grand reopening of the beach in the near future.
Interested in living in or moving to Key West? Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com to view our condos for sale on our Key West property! Enjoy Key West living in a resort environment!
According to The Keynoter, Higgs Beach, a known hindrance in Monroe County, is getting a makeover. Although a tiny section, the beach is a significant portion of the tiny island of Key West. Higgs Beach exists within Key West city limits. In most recent years, it has become a haven for the homeless, and has made it so that the residents of Key West avoid the area.
In recent months, the beach has received increased police patrols. The measures have already reduced calls for service at Higgs Beach by two-thirds, but it hasn’t deterred the County Commission from calling for further measures. The Commission voted to increase spending by $40,000 for more Sheriff deputy patrols. The shifts result in “two, four-hour shifts that would be staggered so would-be offenders can’t rely on a pattern”.
Other clean-up efforts will include installing windows in the bathrooms, painting the pavilions and a new beach recycling program. Dent Pierce, the director of public works for Monroe County that operates the beach, has said that they will try to complete the new initiatives as soon as possible.
The Commission has also begun discussions about a grand reopening of the beach in the near future.
Interested in living in or moving to Key West? Visit BeachsideKeyWest.com to view our condos for sale on our Key West property! Enjoy Key West living in a resort environment!
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