Page 8 - Abacoa Community News - July '22
P. 8
Page 8, Abacoa
Town Of Jupiter Welcomes Iconic Okeechobee
Jupiter News Steakhouse’s New Sister, Lewis
By Jim Kuretski Steakhouse, In Chasewood Plaza
Mayor, Town of Jupiter
The Town Council Report and Photos
has begun working on by Penny Sheltz
our Fiscal Year 2022/23 It’s the first time the
strategic plan action Okeechobee family has
items. Key progress opened a steakhouse in
includes the following: nearly 75 years, says
1.Provided third generation owner
policy direction to Ralph Lewis. “We’ve
staff about desired opened a few other
updates to Jupiter’s restaurants, but this is the
Comprehensive Plan. first venture into another
2. Received an update on the Indiantown Road steakhouse. It’s exciting
Corridor Master Plan so that Town Council for my family and for
members understand the scope of planned roadway myself,” he says.
improvements, and the roadway network’s traffic Lewis Steakhouse,
capacity limitations. There are new development which will serve dinner
projects (on 155 acres of vacant properties) that will and happy hour nightly,
be coming to the Town Council later this year for has transformed the
review/critique and possible approval(s). former Giuseppe’s
3. Continued to advocate that Brightline install Italian Restaurant space
safety fencing before beginning high speed train in the Chasewood Plaza,
service through our Town. This is imperative to protect located on the corner of
Jupiter residents and save human lives. Central Boulevard and
On May 13, the Palm Beach County (PBC) Board Indiantown Road.
of County Commissioners (BCC) reached a joint The new steakhouse
funding agreement (for $108 to $126 million) to breaks fresh ground
implement major renovations to Roger Dean Chevrolet in important ways
Stadium (RDCS) and associated baseball facilities. for the Lewis family.
These Abacoa baseball facility upgrades enabled Ra l ph L e wi s ha s
PBC and the two host major league baseball teams teamed up with three
to simultaneously agree to extend the lease for the longtime Okeechobee
Abacoa baseball facilities through year 2049. This Steakhouse managers –
represents a significant economic benefit for the north Christina Wishart, Kyle Lewis says he has other similar partnership projects
Palm Beach County area. Blake and Luis Fernandez – to bring Lewis Steakhouse on the horizon. He also has instituted new benefits for his
PBC requested the Town to consider making a to life. steakhouses’ kitchen and back-of-the-house employees:
financial contribution to the Abacoa baseball facility “It’s been a fabulous experience, and I’m excited quarterly bonuses and a week of paid vacation in addition
upgrades; or risk losing the Town’s rights to use the for them,” Lewis says of the partnership with the three to dental and health insurance. The steakhouse also features
quadplex baseball fields in the northwest corner of longtime employees. “I’ve told them, ‘Once we open a special offer for birthdays.
the overall Abacoa Baseball Complex. After some here, you’re not working for me, but we are business Lewis Steakhouse, 6390 W. Indiantown Road, (561)
research by Town staff, it became apparent that partners.’” 277-9188.
PBC representatives were not aware of the Town’s
ownership interests in the quadplex property and
facilities. The following provides some historical Advertise in This Newspaper!
background perspectives:
1. The inclusion of RDCS in the Abacoa DRI Check out our website! www.seabreezepublications.com
only occurred because the Town Council agreed to
contribute 25 acres of the 70 acres that the developer or call (561) 746-3244
was required to deed to the Town, towards the land
required for the Abacoa Baseball Complex.
2. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan required that
the 70 acres be used for recreational purposes and
available to the public.
3. The Town also owns the restroom/concession/
storage building and the lighting that serves the four
quadplex baseball fields.
4. Based upon these Town ownership interests in
the quadplex, the Town and the baseball teams entered
into a shared facility agreement when the Abacoa
Baseball Complex was originally constructed.
5. The Town is currently evaluating the conditions
of its quadplex facilities to identify upgrades required
to coincide with the term of the new extended lease,
and the overall costs of such upgrades.
6. The Town and the baseball teams are now
collaboratively working to extend the shared facility
agreement for the quadplex through year 2049. This
will enable the quadplex facilities to remain available
for shared use by the baseball teams, the Town and its
residents.
Lastly, Jupiter residents and visitors are invited
to visit the App Store on your phone devices and
download a copy of the Passport To Jupiter. This
new “Passport To Jupiter” App should be used to
learn about, explore and visit many of the uniquely
Jupiter places and landmarks in our Town.