Item N3C ounty of M onroe
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Mayor David Rice, District 4
The FlOnda Key
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Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
George Neugent, District 2
Heather Carruthers, District 3
County Commission Meeting
August 15, 2018
Agenda Item Number: N.3
Agenda Item Summary #4597
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 3
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Carol Schreck (305) 292 -3430
2:45 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: 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.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Key West born David Wolkowsky, now aged 99, is considered by many
to be the leading influence on the economic and architectural development of Key West. The
renaming of Ballast Key to David Wolkowsky Key is in recognition of his tireless commitment to
the community, its children, arts and history.
Under the Federal regulations that govern the renaming of geographical features, an application to
rename a feature in honor of a person will not be considered until five (5) years after that person's
passing. The proposed regulation expresses the BOCC's support for such an application that is filed
at the appropriate time in the future.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT /AGREEMENT CHANGES:
No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
STAMPED Res supp renaming Ballast Key to David Wolkowsky Key ( 8 7 18)
Wolkowsky island rename attachments
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
If yes, amount:
N/A
REVIEWED BY:
Heather Carruthers
Bob Shillinger
Kathy Peters
Board of County Commissioners
Completed
Completed
Completed
Pending
08/07/2018 4:43 PM
08/07/2018 7:50 PM
08/07/2018 7:54 PM
08/15/2018 9:00 AM
NMI
9 C I U-9j- i a LV—VA NJ W
WHEREAS, Abraham Wolkowsky migrated from Russia and eventually settled in KdTA
West, Florida in 1880; and I
WHEREAS, David Williams Wolkowsky was born in Key West in 1919 and lived
Key West until hard times forced his family to move to Miami in 1923; and i
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky studied at the University of Pennsylvania, joined t
Merchant Marines, lived in New York City and moved to Philadelphia in 1946; and I
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 • Duval Street,
called the "most unusual motel design in America" • Renee d'Harnoncourt, former director •
the Museum
• Modem 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
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WHEREAS, in 1974 David Wolkowsky purchased the 30-acre island located 8 1 /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 southernmo
house in the Continental United States; and I
WHEREAS, guests of David Wolkowsky on the island have included British Prinj
Minister Edward Heath, Nancy Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein, Prince Michael of Greece and more
and I
WHEREAS, Ballast Key and David Wolkowsky were both mentioned in the Jam
Bond novel, "License to Kill and I
WHEREAS, as a collector, commissioner of works of art and supporter of events like tj
Key West Literary Seminar, David Wolkowsky has been an ardent supporter of the arts and IocJ
artists; and
WHEREAS, David Wolkowsky has been a philanthropist supporting various caus
including his endowing • the annual Teacher Merit Awards; and I
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 COUNTJ
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 • this resolution to David
William Wolkowsky, 1014 Flagler Avenue, Key West, Florida.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the day of August, 2018.
Mayor David R ice
Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia Mur
Da nny Commissioner
Commissioner George Neugent
(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF " ,
A TTEST : t CLE
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