WMODA

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Real Concerns, Real Answers

If you have additional questions that need to be answered please email us at wmodaloveslwb@gmail.com.

What comprises the WMODA Mixed-Use Cultural Arts Campus?

The Campus located on 1.78 acres, commonly known as the L and M parcels, will be the home to the 33,000 Square Foot WMODA Museum, a residential building with 110 rental units, of which 8 will be Affordable Artists’ Lofts at 80-120% AMI, a Community Workshop Space for local art classes and activities, and the Arts Alley, providing connectivity between the two structures and the Downtown.

Where will residents and visitors park?

Parking for residents of the building will be in an underground garage located beneath the building while service providers will be permitted to park at the rear of the museum in designated areas that will not impact the surrounding neighborhood or businesses. Visitors and patrons of the Museum will be able to access parking at the K Street Garage that will be owned by the City of Lake Worth Beach located at K Street and 1st Avenue.

Why underground parking?

The decision to construct underground parking is driven by the need to preserve the historic and residential character of the neighborhood. An above-ground parking structure would detract from the architectural and historical value of the area, while subterranean parking provides a discreet and aesthetically compatible solution. Additionally, underground parking maximizes space efficiency, reduces the footprint of the development, and aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing urban sprawl.

Are there any environmental concerns with underground parking?

Subterranean basements and parking structures have been constructed in South Florida for decades, with some dating back to the 1960s. Geotechnical studies have shown that subterranean conditions are suitable for underground construction and proposed development at the site. Environmental impacts would be similar for the project with or without a subterranean component as both types of construction involve the same type of construction activities (i.e. deep foundation installation, dewatering, and excavations). The WMODA Team has taken great concern and expense to build the garage in this configuration. It is largely due to the concerns of the public to not have an unsightly parking structure intertwined with the residential building that this was undertaken.

Measures to Comply with Environmental Regulations: Below is a list of specific measures that will be taken to comply with applicable environmental requirements for subterranean parking work:

Erosion & Sediment Controls: Erosion and sediment controls will be installed around the site in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), as designed by the licensed Civil Engineer of Record. These measures will be implemented prior to site disturbance and throughout excavation.

Dewatering Operations:

· All necessary permits will be obtained from relevant state and local authorities.

· Compliance will be maintained with rules and regulations enforced by the FDEP.

· The project will also comply with regulations set forth by the Southeast Florida Water Management District.

· Dewatering systems, including wellpoints, will filter discharge and sediment, and an additional filtration tank will provide secondary filtration before discharge.

· If necessary, groundwater monitoring systems and groundwater recharge systems may be employed, although this has not been recommended by subcontractors consulted for this project.

Additionally the following are a list of benefits from the proposed subterranean garage:

· Less stormwater runoff

· Control of liquid Pollution

· Control of solid waste

· More greenspace

· No obstruction of views

· No obstruction of sunlight

· Car noise abatement

· No contribution to heat islanding.

Is the project including all the setbacks and step backs required by code?

Yes, all setbacks and building step backs comply with the current zoning codes.

Is the project going to use all native landscaping? Is the landscaping more than what is required by code?

The landscape will be a combination of mostly native and some non-native vegetation and will meet the required landscape requirements of the City of Lake Worth Beach.

How is the K Street garage being funded? Who is building it?

The current proposed agreement is that the City, CRA and WMODA will all contribute a portion of the funds needed for the garage which will be an entirely separate structure from the underground residential garage. To expedite the construction, provide cost savings, and minimize parking issues while the Campus and Museum is being built, the WMODA Team has agreed to undertake the design and construction of the approximately 268-space garage in advance of the start of the Museum construction.

Where is WMODA now?

There has been lots of talk about “is WMODA an actual museum?” The answer is unequivocally YES. The Museum has a collection of several thousand pieces of blown glass, porcelain, ceramics and pottery that have already been viewed by thousands of visitors at the previous location in Dania Beach. Currently the collection is housed at 3250 North 29th Avenue, Hollywood, Florida, in a temporary facility. Our opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Small groups can arrange a visit https://www.wmoda.com/group-visits/. Alternatively, you can use the link https://www.wmoda.com/art-loft-video/ to take a virtual tour. Several members of the Lake Worth Beach Community have already visited us and we look forward to seeing more of you in the coming months while we prepare for our lifetime home in Lake Worth Beach.

What’s happening to the alleys between M and L and L and K Streets?

TRANSFORMATION! It is WMODA’ s intent in collaboration with the City, to transform these alleys into connectivity points for the public. Why do alleys need to be scary? The short answer they don’t! Our intention is to create livable, walkable gathering spots for people to traverse downtown, the Campus, and Museum. These alleys will have an art-related focus and will spur art installations and participation from the Arts Council and Business Community.

Will the Museum and Residential Building pay taxes?

The short answer is yes! Taxes will be paid annually to the City, County and School Board by WMODA. There will be incentives provided to the project initially as part of a negotiated development agreement which are very common as part of redevelopment. These terms will be laid out to the public and governing bodies in public hearings.

Will the Community be able to be heard on this project?

Absolutely! There are four public hearings upcoming where the community will have an opportunity to be heard. Additionally, we have been advised that all elected officials and CRA Board Members have open lines of communication as does the City and CRA Staff. Lastly, we at WMODA want to hear from you too and ask that you email us at wmodaloveslwb@gmail.com with questions and concerns and we will respond in a timely manner. Transparency, Efficiency, and Community Engagement are our Focus and Goal.

Are these four meetings the final step?

No. All processes established by the City will be adhered to including bringing the site plan before the Site Plan Review Team, the Historic Resource Preservation Board (HRPB), and finally going before the City Commission twice for adoption of the planned development ordinance. There will be a required developers meeting with the public prior to its going before the HRPB. There will be numerous opportunities for public involvement, and we encourage participation and collaboration as WMODA becomes part of YOUR community.

Will there be memberships available to the Museum?

Yes, we will be providing that information well into the construction phase to prepare for our opening, but it is our intent to provide Resident incentives and memberships to see the full array of art we will have on display. Pieces from Wedgwood and Doulton, as well as European designers from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras will be on display. The glass galleries at the Wiener Museum showcase the art of French designer Lalique and Venetian maestros from Murano, as well as local glass artists working in South Florida. The highlight of the Hot Glass gallery is a spectacular collection of Dale Chihuly. Contemporary ceramic art from the Ardmore studio in South Africa is one of the favorite exhibits at the Wiener Museum. The museum will also host a wide variety of programs and cultural events.

Will WMODA feature works by local artists?

Yes! WMODA plans to work jointly with the Arts Council and other local entities to collaborate with and display works of art by local Artists. The Team believes highlighting our relationship with the Arts Community and featuring local talent is a great way to do that.

Will there be programs for kids and seniors?

Absolutely! WMODA strongly believes in introducing children to the Arts. Exposure to creativity and workmanship will lead them to appreciate all types of artwork and the dedication needed to create it. Programming to stimulate these young minds and provide active experiences for our senior community is important to our mission and will be an integral part of our Campus in Lake Worth Beach. The Artists Community Workshop will be located in the residential building to add connectivity to the Museum and the collections.

Will there be Affordable Housing?

The WMODA Team has been able to blend an affordable housing component into the design and programming of the residential complex. Eight Artists Lofts will be constructed to provide a Live/Work Duplex for Artists who qualify. Based on an 80-120% of AMI, these lofts will provide local artists a space to live and create within our Campus. Our hope is that the workspaces will be visible from the Arts Alley to give passersby an opportunity to see the Artists in action as they create.

How will you manage construction to curtail disruptions to the surrounding Neighborhoods?

While it is inevitable that some disruptions will occur during this major project, our primary objective is to manage the construction process in a way that is respectful and considerate of the surrounding community, businesses, and residents. We are committed to minimizing these impacts wherever possible. With extensive experience in constructing buildings within dense urban environments, our team is prepared to address potential challenges and take every necessary step to reduce the effects on the surrounding neighborhoods. We will strictly adhere to all city regulations and maintain transparent, open communication to address any concerns or questions throughout the construction process.

To further ensure minimal disruption, we will implement the following measures:

• Develop a comprehensive logistics plan focused on traffic management to prevent unnecessary disruptions to the flow of traffic.

• Install and maintain truck-wash stations at all exits to reduce mud tracking onto streets and to control dust.

• Comply with all local noise and dust control ordinances.

• Schedule deliveries and construction activities during the working hours permitted by the City.

• Restrict construction work hours to those allowed by local regulations.

• Designate specific areas for workers to take breaks or lunch and assign laborers to ensure those areas are kept clean and free of trash after breaks.

By proactively managing these aspects of the construction process, we aim to mitigate disruptions and maintain a positive relationship with the community throughout the project's duration.

The Team at WMODA is committed to working with the community to bring this project to fruition. We are excited for all of the opportunities and possibilities of becoming part of the Lake Worth Beach Arts Community.

WMODA LOVES LWB

Who is WMODA?

The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts was founded in 2014 by Arthur Wiener and family. The museum celebrates the fired arts of ceramics and glass and visitors can see beautiful pottery and porcelain art from the 18th century to the present day.

We're thrilled to announce our collaboration with the City of Lake Worth Beach for an incredible venture – the creation of a downtown Mixed-Use Cultural Arts Campus anchored by WMODA! The new venue will feature our museum with exhibitions from both international artists and local artists operating in South Florida.

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The proposed CULTURAL ARTS CAMPUS

Our Vision

The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA) mixed-use Cultural Arts Campus will be a cultural and residential HUB located in the heart of Downtown Lake Worth Beach.

The proposed project includes:

Cultural Space consisting of the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA), including a cafe and bookstore, community classrooms, ground floor activation, and event space that will be +/- 35,000 SF
Market Rate Residential Apartment Units
Amenity Space including Clubhouse with Elegant Lobby, Fitness Center, and Resort Style Pool Deck

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The Developer

For more than 80 years, the Wiener family has owned and operated, United Management. United Management will be the development partner in the WMODA project. As a real estate development firm, United Management has a track record for innovative design, thoughtful urban planning, and historic preservation.

Cultural Master Plan

Lake Worth Beach, recognized for its rich cultural and architectural heritage, is home to one of Florida's most diverse populations. Positioned as the geographical and artistic hub of Palm Beach County, the city embraces various cultures and lifestyles. The municipal leadership has embarked on a series of initiatives to promote economic vitality through the arts and culture, ranging from the establishment of LULA and the Lake and Lucerne arts district to the construction of artist housing with the backing of a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. Establishing a mixed-use Cultural Arts Center, with WMODA as a flagship tenant, will further boost art and culture in Downtown Lake Worth Beach.

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Project Benefits

Downtown redevelopment
Designed with sensitivity to city's historic charm
Greater access to the arts for all ages
New youth and senior programs in the arts
Positive impact on retail and hospitality
Additional residents to support downtown businesses
Diversity in housing
Improved quality of life
Education and innovation opportunities
Job creation
Tourism and visitor spending

arts. culture. community.

arts. culture. community.

Entertain, Educate, and Inspire

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