Florida Agenda

By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

Richard Gray, founder of the Royal Palms and member of the Broward County Tourist Development Authority, has resigned his position as marketing and promotions director for Pan Capital. He is also finishing his term with the Broward County Tourist Development Authority and will not seek his seat on the board again.

Pan Capital is a corporation of Swedish businessmen who have been gobbling up beach property at an unprecedented rate recently, purchasing the Schubert Resort, Orton Terrace, The Dunes, The Flamingo and Blue Dolphin guest accommodations. The group has also purchased a number of straight motels and hotels on the beach. Gray declined to discuss his resignation.

The news of Gray’s resignation has shocked members of Fort Lauderdale’s tourist industry. Gray was instrumental in developing Fort Lauderdale as a gay tourist destination worldwide. He joined tourist development authority in 1996 and persuaded the County to set aside $35,000 for marketing to the gay traveler. Last year’s budget for gay tourism was $500,000. He is also Vice President of the International Gay and Lesbian Tourist Association (IGLTA).

In 1991, Gray founded the Royal Palms Guest Accommodations that has won 5 Star Travel Awards numerous times over his 17 years of ownership. The Royal Palms set the standard for future upscale gay guest accommodations in South Florida.

At Pan Capital, Gray also acted as  consultant on properties to purchase and set the decor of remodeled properties.
Gray says he will spend time between Dallas, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale. “Fort Lauderdale is in my blood’, says Gray. “I will always want to be a part of Fort Lauderdale.”

Pompano Bill Roasted

It was a power house roast for lovable Pompano Bill at Boardwalk this past Monday night. Pompano was in the hot seat all night as roaster after roaster told Pompano Bill stories. Pompano was all smiles from the stage and loved every minute of it. From my perch, I spotted a number of movers and shakers. There was Sideline’s Laurie Whittiker and Jennifer Morales, Jerry Schultz of Mona’s, Toni Barone, Father Bill Collins, founder of Poverello, Father Joe Gallant, Jackson Padgett, Mark Negrete, Vincent Frato and Ron Woolery of Alibi, Eric Lawrence of LeatherWerks, real estate super star Robert MacNamera, Chuck Nichols of Tuesday’s Angels, Terry DeCarlo and Bill Huelsman of Broward House, The Manor’s Paul Hugo, Ramrod’s Steve Whitney, attorney and politico  Dean Trantalis, publishers Bobby Blair and Norman Kent, and exercise guru Brian Neal to name a few.

Entertainers Tiffany Arreagus, Nikki Adams and Miss Kitty performed and Russell from The Stable did a fabulous job as MC and keeping the night rolling.

Pompano Bill is probably our community’s most recognized face, and the entire evening was a love fest for our dear friend of 20 years.

Matty’s Planning 3rd Anniversary

Matty’s, the watering hole that’s taken Wilton Manors by storm, is in the final stages of planning for its 3rd anniversary on August 22. It promises to be a blowout as the club opens phase three of the operation. Also on that night, a battalion of hotties will battle it out on stage to see who will be chosen to participate in the 2012 Model Calendar. There also maybe an appearance of a golden girl. More on this later.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com

Pan Capital is a corporation of Swedish businessmen who have been gobbling up property on Fort Lauderdale Beach the way a thirsty dog laps up water.  Hotelier Richard Gray, founder of the Royal Palms guest accommodations, is acting as spokesman for the group. He tells me that the Swedes feel the U.S. economy has bottomed out and property values are at their best in 20 years, thus the purchasing of Fort Lauderdale beach property at an unprecedented pace.

Gray has confirmed the purchase of the Schubert Resort and Orton Terrace by Pan Capital. Both deals were consummated at the end of June. The Schubert, owned by real estate giant Tony Dee, was purchased for $1.7 million and Orton Terrace, owned by Roger Handevidt, was purchased for $ 1 million. Both purchases were cash deals.

Over the last year or so, Pan Capital has purchased the Flamingo, the Dunes, Blue Dolphin, the Robbindale, the Royal Palms, Orton Terrace and Schubert Resorts. And that’ s ju

st for starters. The group has also purchased a large number of straight properties.

According to Gray, all of the gay accommodations purchased will remain catering to the gay traveler except the Blue Dolphin.
Gray has also told The Scoop that North Fort Lauderdale Beach is being developed into an area that will be called North Beach Village, a quaint area of cafés and boutique motels and hotels.

Orton Terrace will soon close and major renovations will get underway. The plan is to merge the Orton Terrace with the old Royal Palms into a hotel named the Hotel Lush Royale, an upscale hotel catering to the sophisticated gay traveler.

Organizations Get Pride Money

Seven Broward County organizations have received grants from Pride South Florida, the promoters of Pride Fest held in March in Oakland Park. A total of $7,000 was split evenly ($1,000 each) to the following organizations: Names Project AIDS Memorial Project, Church of the Holy Spirit, Red Hispana Florida, Gilda’s Club South Florida, Lambda’s Men’s Brotherhood, South Florida Wind Ensemble and LP Productions.

Joel Slotnick, secretary/treasurer, said attendance and revenue were lower than expected at this year’s two-day event. Pride South Florida has also changed its name to Pride Fest 2012.

Short Takes

• Congrats to our friends at SCORE on South Beach who just celebrated its 13th anniversary.
• South Beach
promoter Edison Farrow throwing a “House’ party at a real private home on Sunday, July 24th beginning at 4PM. There is no cover and the home is located at 221 N.E. 17 Street in Miami. Enjoy the pool, booze and great music.
• The 4th annual Summerfest being held on South Beach from July 22- July 24. Parties at Score and Lords Hotel.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com