The proposed Orion Resort on Ft. Lauderdale beach can finally move forward.  The Bonnett Museum & Gardens dropped the lawsuit pending a few conditions.  Landscaping will be modified to block Bonnett House visitors from seeing the 'modern' Orion Resort from the grounds. 

Originally the resort was to be 20 stories, but it didn't receive city approval until it was modified to 18 stories last year.  The lawsuit was filed in an attempt to block the development that is to be very close to the museum grounds.  Museum workers didn't want visitors of this historical site to see huge skyscrapers from gardens feeling that it would take away from the culture and historical significance of the site.

Now that is great news for the developers of Orion, but now I'm wondering if they will have the financing in place to move forward with all of the credit issues hovering around condos and hotels.  I hope this hotel will be a bit more 'mid-priced'.  It's great to see some upscale properties on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, but we need a few more mid-priced or economy hotels so everyone can afford to stay. 


(Aerial view of the Bonnett House property.  A1A runs in front separating the property and the beach.  The Orion would be near the property line to the right on A1A.  Photo from the Bonnett House Museum & Gardens website.)