Resolution 222-2018 RESOLUTION NO. 222 — 2018
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF THE RENAMING OF
BALLAST KEY TO "DAVID WOLKOWSKY
KEY ", MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, Abraham Wolkowsky migrated from Russia and eventually settled in Key
West, Florida in 1880; and
WHEREAS, David Williams Wolkowsky was born in Key West in 1919 and lived in
Key West until hard times forced his family to move to Miami in 1923; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky studied at the University of Pennsylvania, joined the
Merchant Marines, lived in New York City and moved to Philadelphia in 1946; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky was instrumental in restoring the outer ring of
Rittenhouse Square in Central City, Philadelphia, and was hailed as "the city's leading force in
urban restoration "; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky returned to Key West in 1962, ostensibly to retire; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky then began to redevelop, restore and preserve much of
Duval Street and downtown Key West, including Sloppy Joe's, the Mallory Square area, the
Kress Building, Simonton Court, Dupont Lane, the Sands Beach Club (now The Reach Resort)
and many more; and
WHEREAS, with the purchase of 100 homes from the Navy, several of which he moved
from Peary Court to Pirates Alley at the Navy's expense, David Wolkowsky revived the custom
of placing apartment dwellings above business storefronts to serve as workforce housing; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky built The Pier House at the north end of Duval Street,
called the "most unusual motel design in America" by Renee d'Harnoncourt, former director of
the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has hosted and entertained many notable people in Key
West, including Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Dick Cavett, Lloyd Bridges, Daniel
Patrick Moynihan, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Quinn, Lillian Hellman, Margaret Thatcher, Tilda
Swinton and Jimmy Buffett; and
WHEREAS, the construction of The Pier House, along with the development of the
downtown Duval Street corridor, rejuvenated tourism in Key West which continues to be the
primary economic engine in the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has been called "Mr. Key West" because of his
tremendous impact on the community; and
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WHEREAS, in 1974 David Wolkowsky purchased the 30 -acre island located 8'/2 miles
off of Key West currently called Ballast Key; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky constructed a home on the island based on the design of
an elevated, historic Weather Bureau station referred to locally as the Hemingway Lighthouse;
and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky's home on Ballast Key is actually the southernmost
house in the Continental United States; and
WHEREAS, guests of David Wolkowsky on the island have included British Prime
Minister Edward Heath, Nancy Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein, Prince Michael of Greece and more;
and
WHEREAS, Ballast Key and David Wolkowsky were both mentioned in the James
Bond novel, "License to Kill"; and
WHEREAS, as a collector, commissioner of works of art and supporter of events like the
Key West Literary Seminar, David Wolkowsky has been an ardent supporter of the arts and local
artists; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has been a philanthropist supporting various causes,
including his endowing of the annual Teacher Merit Awards; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has brought much fame and attention to the Keys as the
subject of numerous articles in publications from Key West to New York to Palm Beach to Italy;
and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has no heirs to carry his family name into the future;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1. In accordance with Section 1 of Policy III of the regulations set forth by the U.S.
Board of Geographic Names, the Board hereby expresses its support of the future
renaming of Ballast Key to "David Wolkowsky Key" five years after the impending
passing of David Williams Wolkowsky.
2. The Board further pledges its continued support throughout impending renaming
application processes, to be initiated by designated individuals at the appropriate
time, with the U. S. Board of Geographic Names, the Florida State Board on
Geographic Names, and others as needed, to facilitate the renaming.
3. The Clerk is hereby directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to David
Williams Wolkowsky, 1014 Flagler Avenue, Key West, Florida.
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a
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the 15 day of August, 2018.
Mayor David Rice Yes
(9
�� Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia Murphy No
�� Commissioner Danny Kolhage es
Commissioner George Neugent Yes
° Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes
• BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
ATT T: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
BY: ` &XL( tg' uv 4 BY: i.).2.----
►Deputy Clerk Mayor David Rice
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CO
MBNR
APPR NrY A RNEY
C ORM:
R ERT
B. SHtLiINGER, JR.
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