Lissette Cuervo Carey, vice mayor for the city of Key West, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been going on in the city.
A special meeting has been called to discuss the city attorney’s contract.
Carey said, “As the community is aware, Mayor Henriquez has called the special meeting, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the city attorney’s employment contract. The meeting is this evening, at five o’clock at City Hall, and the city of Key West has secured Cynthia Hall to support the special meeting and the capacity of city attorney this evening. Miss Hall has a significant level of experience and extensive background in the subject matter, and the members of the Commission will have an opportunity to meet with Miss Hall today for her legal advice and opinion on the matter.”
In an abundance of caution, parts of Mallory Square closest to the waterfront have been closed off.
Carey said, “The safety and security of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance, so we just want to make sure that everyone is safe. We will take our time and making sure that the repairs are made as needed. We’ve just had to pivot a few events, the Conch Republic battle, I’m still waiting to hear on where the battle will take place, due to the closing of the pier, but we will get you some updates as soon as possible on that. But I did want to mention this evening, our Key West High School fighting Conchs baseball team won the district championship last Wednesday. That is just such a wonderful thing for those boys to experience, and they’ve earned the right to host both regional games at home. So we will be playing Satellite Beach tonight at 7:30 at the Rex, with a regional playoff game at home and then another one tomorrow at 1pm. So I’d like to encourage the community to show up in support of these young men and their great accomplishment. There’s nothing like a Key West High School Conchs baseball game. So let’s get out there and support these young men.”
Earth Day is tomorrow.
Carey said, “The city of Key West, and Keep Key West Beautiful, will have an educational village set up at the Indigenous Park, which is located at 1801 white Street, sort of across the street there from the White Street Pier and that’s from 8 to 2, and it’s including an Earth Day cleanup from 8am to 10am so that’s a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Get out there on our streets and help keep our island looking beautiful and clean. Thursday, the 24th is the world’s longest parade on Duval Street, and that is from 8 to 9pm and the parade will begin at United Street and Duval. I mentioned the great sea battle of the Conch Republic. That’s Friday, April 25 and like I said, we will have some updates on location based on the Mallory Square conditions. Another great event that we have here in the community is on Saturday the 26th, the Mariners March 5k that’s from 6 to 11am and that is hosted by the Basilica School at Saint Mary’s. We’ll have a blessing of the animals from 8:30 to 10:30 and that will be at Indigenous Park parking lot, a lot going on Saturday. The always fun Conch Republic celebration bed races. That is a quirky and fun event. That is from noon to 6:30 on Duval Street, from Olivia to Southern. Other several Conch Republic Independence Day celebrations. Then another really, really wonderful event that brings the community together and has our youth very much involved, is Reeling for the Cause, and that’s a kids fishing tournament that takes place at the White Street pier. That’ll be this Saturday from 3pm to 8:30 and that’s just so great to see the children of our community and the families out there on the pier just teaching the next generation the important tradition of fishing in the Florida Keys.”
What’s been going on with the Lofts in Bahama Village?
Carey said, “We received an update recently that they’re currently reviewing the applications and eligibility for prospective renters in both tier one and tier two, and lease signings for Building B will begin within the next 30 days. We can expect some move ins, mid to late June. Any more questions or information that anyone would like on the Lofts, people can call 305-809-3728, I know a lot of folks are looking forward to the opportunity for the affordable housing in the city of Key West, and this will be a great one.”
Affordable housing has been an issue since at least the 1940s in Key West.
Carey said, “Some really good news is that the income limits came out from HUD, the new income limits for this year, and they have been raised significantly. It seems that incomes from the year 2023 have now been included in that five year analysis, and so we’re starting to see it inch up a bit. I believe it’s a 20% increase in income limit. So more folks, the hard working people of the city of Key West, should be able to see a little bit of being able to qualify for the affordable housing of the 80% and above qualification.”