Southbound-only oceanfront road studied for Lake Worth Beach Casino
New $177,750 roof planned for Lake Worth Pier restaurant building, home to Benny’s on the Beach; Mama Mia's to take over Tee Shirt shop
Three changes are in the works at the Lake Worth Beach Casino Complex.
A new southbound-only traffic pattern is being considered for the oceanfront road east of the casino complex.
The city is planning to spend $177,750 for a new roof at Benny’s on the Beach at the William O. Lockhart Municipal Pier.
The owners of Mama Mia’s on the Beach, an Italian restaurant at the casino, want to take over operations at the adjacent beachwear/souvenir store, whose longtime owner is retiring.
First, the road. City officials and their consulting firm are studying the possibility of eliminating the current pattern of one way in each direction and replacing it with a southbound-only lane.
The change, requested by casino merchants, would help accommodate food delivery services picking up orders from Benny’s Oceanwalk, Mama Mia’s and Benny’s on the Beach at the pier.
The southbound-only route would add 14 parallel parking spaces, seven on each side, allowing motorists and delivery services to run in and pick up to-go orders or grab ice cream from Kilwins.
The traffic change, the first since the casino renovation was completed more than 10 years ago (it was northbound only before that), might allow restaurants to offer valet parking.
“When this was originally done, there weren't things such as UberEats or any of the food delivery services,’’ Interim City Manager Jamie Brown told commissioners earlier this month.
“It is very difficult for the (restaurants) to (offer) to-go when you have these services because they park at the very bottom and walk up to the top or park illegally in the fire lane,’’ he said.
The city’s consultants, WGI, is working on a traffic rerouting proposal for the City Commission to consider later this year or early next year.
Brown said it would probably take minimal construction, primarily on a “mini half roundabout” near the shade structure by the pier. Most of the work would entail new striping.
“We are looking to improve the process up there and make it a lot easier for our tenants,’’ he said. “When we can do things to help their businesses operate better we like to do that.’’
Mayor Betty Resch liked the idea. She said she hoped it would offer opportunities for motorists who want to stop and look at the beach from their car.
Benny’s manager Dylan Lipton said the move will help merchants seeking to expand their to-go sales.
“It’s a really cool thing that they're listening to those concerns,’’ Lipton said. “A traffic pattern that facilitates business at the beach is something that is much needed and the merchants are very excited for.’’
On Sept. 30, city commissioners will consider a $177,750 contract to replace the roof at the city-owned building at the pier. The building houses the Benny’s on the Beach restaurant but is maintained by the city.
“The roof has reached the end of its useful service life and is exhibiting significant wear. Over the past several years, the roof has required repeated patching and spot repairs to address leaks and water intrusion,’’ according to a city memo. “Continued deterioration poses a risk of structural damage to the building.’’
Benny’s will remain open during the roof work, Lipton said.
Also Sept. 30, commissioners will consider approving a lease change allowing Mama Mia’s to take over operations at the Lake Worth Tee Shirt Co. next door.
Barry Freedman, who opened the Tee Shirt shop in 1985, is retiring.
“We plan to maintain the business in its current form, working closely with Mr. Freedman to preserve the quality and character that customers have come to expect for over 40 years,’’ Anthony Vultaggio of Mama Mia’s wrote in a letter to the city.
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Wow, someone is using their brain at the City. Go back to the old northbound traffic pattern, get rid of the green areas on the top and add additional parking in it's place.