Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance to challenge controversial plan for “Rockefeller Center” in the heart of horse country
According to Alliance Executive Director, Mat Forest: “Our position is pretty simple: This project should be limited specifically to equestrian activities. No malls, no RV parks, no fairgrounds, no high-rise condos in the Equestrian Preserve Area. There may be places in Wellington where this development would fit very nicely, but NOT in the Equestrian Preserve.”
Referred to as “Equestrian Village at World Dressage” by the developer or “PBIEC Phase II” at Wellington City Hall, the controversial project is a scheme to bring commercial development where none has been allowed before-all under the guise of promoting Wellington’s Equestrian community. Plans for the development include a mall and high-rise condominiums right in the heart of Wellington’s horse country near the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The developer himself has a stated objective of creating a “Rockefeller Center”[1] in the heart of the preserve.
Wellington’s Equestrian community, the magnet for investment, the engine for job creation and the very trademark of the community, is under attack. In presentations before the committee Alliance members and supporters plan to remind their representatives in government that the residents of Wellington have proven time and time again that they will not tolerate overdevelopment in the Equestrian Preserve. As plans to ruin Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve keep surfacing – like this plan for a mall and high-rise condos – the Alliance will work hard to ensure that they meet the same fate as all the past preserve area boondoggles.
Forrest added, “Our organization supports the continued development and enhancement of Dressage and other equestrian disciplines here in Wellington and in the Preserve Area – in fact we encourage it.But we stand opposed to these repeated attempts at commercial over-development and will say so on Wednesday night.”
Also of concern to the Alliance is an unusual groundbreaking ceremony for the development that included the developer and Wellington’s Mayor Darell Bowen.[2] The ceremony was unusual in that it occurred in May 2011-months before any public input was even scheduled or official consideration planned.
Alliance Board member Lou Jacobs urged caution and consideration. “Before we put a mall and Wellington’s tallest building in the heart of our community’s economic engine, the residents in the Preserve Area, the investors in our community and the founders of our Village deserve a more thoughtful consideration.”
The Alliance encourages concerned citizens, friends and supporters, neighbors in the Equestrian Preserve Area, equestrian enthusiasts and Wellington residents to attend the December 14 meeting of the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee and make certain your voice is heard at City Hall.
Alliance staff and supporters will be on hand when the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee meets to discuss aspects of the controversial development on:
DATE: Wednesday, December 14
TIME: 6:00 pm
PLACE: Wellington City Hall
For more information about the Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance please visit www.wellingtonalliance.com.
Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 213275
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-3275
(561) 291-8417
www.wellingtonalliance.com
info@wellingtonalliance.com
[1] Palm Beach Daily News, March 14, 2011
[2] Town Crier Online, May 13, 2011
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