Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
January 2024
Volume 17 Issue 1
Boca Raton
First condo to pass city’s post-Surfside inspection reveals how it got head start By Mary Hladky
Postcards from our past Memories of U.S. 1 tourist stops come alive in historic collections By John Hughes Florida was known for tourist attractions long before it was known for Disney World. Hard to fathom, but that’s a fact. Before Mickey and Minnie and being this tall to ride a ride. Before wait times and paid proxies as place holders in admission queues. Back when rubber alligators were prized. Back then, this state was thick as swamp air with attractions that often exploited the nationwide notion that Florida was America’s WILDerness. Before there was Interstate 95 or Florida’s Turnpike (née Sunshine State Parkway), one two-lane road — U.S. 1 — was See POSTCARDS on page 19
Boca Raton
Road signs at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Camino Real directed travelers to the 300acre site for Africa USA. Photos provided
Immediately after the horrific 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, Admiral’s Walk condo board members and the building’s property manager swung into action. The building’s 68 condo owners needed assurances that their 18-story building at 4545 N. Ocean Blvd. was safe, said property manager Daniel Gonzalez. He and the board also anticipated that Another first building safety laws Highland Beach would be enacted. condo recertified. “We wanted to Page 16 make sure we were ahead of the curve,” he said. They were right. Mayor Scott Singer proposed an ordinance that would require buildings in the city to be inspected for safety shortly after the Surfside tragedy. Moving at lightning speed, city staff created one just 34 days after the collapse that claimed 98 lives. When the City Council approved it one month later, Boca Raton became the first city in Palm Beach County to enact such a law. But the Admiral’s Walk board moved even faster. Before the ordinance was on the books, the board had hired an engineering firm to inspect the building and a contractor to See CONDO on page 16
Retiring city manager was tops at securing the bottom line
By Mary Hladky Boca Raton has profoundly changed over the last 24 years. But there was one constant: City Manager Leif Ahnell. Ahnell’s long tenure, described by his longtime deputy George Brown as “unprecedented,” ended on Dec. 31 when he retired three months earlier than expected and Brown took over the reins. Brown and City Council members paid tribute to Ahnell on Dec. 12, their last meeting of the year, highlighting
what council member Marc Wigder said was his “financial wizardry.” Council members past and present have lauded his financial acumen and credited him with maintaining the city’s strong financial position, finding creative ways to save the city money, and balancing the cost of the city’s growth with the council’s emphasis on keeping a low tax rate. He tightened procedures in the budget office and helped establish long-range financial planning and dedicated reserves
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO 4595
to meet future financial needs, Brown said. City staff members recognized Ahnell’s work by creating a special cover for this fiscal year’s budget report. “His 33-year commitment to financial stewardship not only influenced the advancement of Boca Raton as a beautiful, safe, and vibrant coastal community, but it also laid a strong foundation for the city’s prosperous future,” they wrote. Ahnell joined the city as an See AHNELL on page 20
Passion project Norton exhibits collector’s masterworks. Page AT11
Longtime Boca Raton City Manager Leif Ahnell, who retired Dec. 31, shares a light moment with his deputy and successor George Brown during an event for city staff. Photo provided
Gumbo Limbo problems Donations to nonprofit are way down. Page 25
En plein air
Artists embrace painting the outdoors. Page AT1