‘That safety issue, if I could just be completely honest, needs to be addressed’
Business Development Board CEO offers advice on 'How to Attract Economic Development to Lake Worth Beach'
KELLY SMALLRIDGE KNOWS what it takes for towns and cities to thrive.
As chief executive officer of the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches since 2004, she is widely recognized for job-creation efforts that have helped reshape the region’s economy. Among her greatest hits: The Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, the “Wall Street South” initiative around West Palm Beach and Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Boca Raton.
That’s why Lake Worth Beach’s elected officials, eager for ways to boost their city’s economy, reached out to the local expert for help.
Born and raised in nearby Palm Springs, Smallridge came to City Hall on Tuesday and offered the City Commission a presentation titled “How to Attract Economic Development to Lake Worth Beach.’’
After outlining a general game plan, she shared an unflattering perception of the city based on feedback received by the BDB.
Her remarks came in response to a question from Commissioner Chris McVoy, who asked how Lake Worth Beach can “protect” its “competitive advantage” over other cities as a historical destination.
“What I would do to protect it is to make sure it is safe and clean,” Smallridge replied.
“Residents, tourists want to make sure that when they get out of their car that it is safe and clean or they will go up the street north or south to something else that is,’’ she said.
“And that is the feedback that we have received: We love the vibe of Lake Worth Beach. We love Benny’s on the Beach. We love Lake Avenue. But either it was difficult to park or when we parked far away it didn’t feel safe. And I think that safety issue is something that, if I could just be completely honest with you, needs to be addressed. Yeah, it needs to be addressed.”
City officials have been aware of that “safety issue” for some time and have taken steps to fix some of those problems, passing a law to improve safety in public parks, adding park rangers and pledging to streamline code enforcement. But commissioners know more needs to be done.
Smallridge also shared positive feedback about Lake Worth Beach.
“I think the way it is right now when we are presenting the overall, Lake Worth pops up when it comes to quality of life, workforce housing and a great downtown with beaches,’’ she said. “I love your downtown. I think there are more things you can do in your downtown.’’
But she mentioned other drawbacks.
“The quality of your public schools is also a big issue,’’ she said, explaining how companies desire quality schools for their employees’ families within a 5-mile radius of their offices.
“The schools here could use some help,’’ she said, “and I would say that about a multitude of different municipalities.’’
Smallridge’s presentation lasted about 20 minutes, but her comments resonated with commissioners.
About two hours later in the meeting, Commissioner Anthony Segrich urged the city to do more about about blighted parts of town strewn with litter and bulk trash. Commissioners agreed to consider forming a beautification task force.
But they also wondered why city sanitation crews can’t be more proactive about picking up bulk trash when they see it.
“It’s really frustrating,’’ Vice Mayor Mimi May said, “because when you have Kelly Smallridge stand up here and tell us basically that our city is unsafe and dirty ... I’ve been saying that since the day I was elected and it’s got to change. That has to be a priority.’’
When the state encourages private schools over public and when the state through the county funds your schools, how can the city commissioners increase expenditures so that they are least competitive and not simply the last choice for many parents.
Please, tell me more about how the schools need help...