City, Business Guild Collaborate on Inclusive Landmark Vision

The City of Key West and the Key West Business Guild Executive director Rob Dougherty and Board President Cori Convertito met this week to collaborate on continuing to enhance this community's reputation for inclusivity. Though the rainbow crosswalks are gone, both the City and the Business Guild are committed to move forward and build back better in ways that fit within state guidelines and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

The vision is to begin exploring the creation of an arch, located in the same neighborhood, reflecting the input of many members of this community with a goal of having it in place by the end of the year.

City Manager Brian L. Barroso envisions a timeline that would see a rendering that would move through City board approvals by December.

"Our role," he said, "is to foster, fund, and finish this first step in supporting our LGBTQ+ community."

The Business Guild will work with the community to determine a precise location and design.

But everyone agreed that this is just the first step. Simultaneously, the City is exploring the possibility of rainbow lighting. The Business Guild suggested rainbow-colored benches.

"This project represents the first step in renewed efforts to ensure visible and lasting recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in Key West," said Dougherty in a statement to the membership. "This marks the beginning of a larger commitment to honoring the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in Key West. We are deeply grateful for your continued support as we take these important steps together."

Before this brainstorming session, City officials pulled together parameters required by the Historic Architectural Review Commission to ensure that the envisioned arch would, from the beginning, move smoothly through the required approvals.