West Palm Beach Redevelopment Projects Win State Award
Oct 27, 2011 - CRA
WEST PALM BEACH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WIN STATE AWARD
West Palm Beach, Fla. — The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) received two awards out of 12 throughout the state recognized by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA). The awards are given to projects that exhibit the best practices in Florida redevelopment over the past year. The winners were honored during the 2011 Annual Conference awards dinner held on October 20 at the Hilton Orlando.
This year, the West Palm Beach CRA has earned the award in the category “Out of the Box” for its project Pleasant City: A Community Inspired, a grassroots effort to empower a neighborhood, by creating relationships, partnerships and programs designed for the specific needs of the Pleasant City Community. They also walked away with the award in the category Cultural Enhancement for their work with the Cuillo Theatre which stood vacant and abandoned for almost a year before the West Palm Beach CRA purchased the property after negotiating a lease with option to purchase agreement with a local theater company that was looking to expand to a larger facility. The project will bring a much needed cultural attraction to the downtown.
“Winning one award is fantastic, but to be recognized for two outstanding projects is simply an honor and one that we are extremely excited about.” said CRA Chair and City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio. “We are proud of the progress we make every year and look forward to another year of innovative projects that enhance our community.”
The FRA awards committee carefully selects the winners from over 60 entries. All of the entries embody the spirit of successful community redevelopment and revitalization. “Through a lot of hard work, successful partnerships and local support, these projects are completed and have helped to rebuild that community in some way,” said Kurt Easton, FRA president.
For more information about the West Palm Beach CRA or any of their projects, contact Kate Volman at (561) 822-1551 or visit www.wpbcra.com.
West Palm Beach CRA Gears Up for Exciting Year
Sep 28, 2011 - CRA
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 27, 2011) The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) couldn’t be more excited about their upcoming projects. After nearly six years of redeveloping Northwood Village, the funky, eclectic area just two miles north of downtown West Palm Beach, the time has come for even more transformations and a focus on connecting that community with Pleasant City.
Among the projects is LOT 23, an art-centric neighborhood-scale artist colony. At build-out, the project will be comprised of two four-unit apartment buildings, and a studio space for artists to create their next masterpiece.
“We envision a diverse mix of artists utilizing the studio space, including artists who live off-site.” says CRA Project Manager Grace Joyce. “We want to see artists of all types including visual, ceramics, sculpture, poetry, music, dance and everything in between.” The studio space will also provide areas for smaller performances and events as well as a retail component.
A large part of the mission of this project is for artists to provide educational and outreach opportunities for the surrounding communities. To ensure the largest impact, the artist’s rent will be subsidized in exchange for a minimum number of community service hours on various projects where they will be utilizing their artistic talent to enhance community schools, events, businesses and neighborhood projects.
The CRA is currently working on the criteria for the artists. It is anticipated that classes for both children and adults will be held in the studio space and possibly outdoors on the site.
The CRA also owns three buildings adjacent to LOT 23 and are working on transforming those properties into a restaurant, open public space and an art gallery that many of the artists of LOT 23 will work in as part of their community service.
For more information about LOT 23 and other CRA projects, please visit www.wpbcra.org or contact Kate Volman at kvolman@wpb.org or (561) 822-1551.
Northwood Village Unveils New VIP Card and Website
Aug 25, 2011 - CRA
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 24, 2011) – Northwood Village, the historic neighborhood just north of Downtown West Palm Beach that has evolved and grown tremendously in recent years with the addition of distinctive and highly popular new businesses, has unveiled this week a new Village VIP card on its new web site, www.northwoodvillage.org.
The updated, consumer-driven web site by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) offers increased functionality for those interested in patronizing the area. Visitors can access maps, a complete listing of businesses, multiple ways to connect with the Village, pictures and videos from Northwood happenings, and now, a Village VIP card featuring ‘sweet deals’ from local businesses.
The VIP card is free to access from the site; once downloading a temporary card, guests can pick up a permanent one in Northwood Village, the first opportunity being at the Art & Wine Promenade on Friday, August 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Village VIPs get access to a VIP section at the event featuring free food and drinks and other cool stuff, courtesy of Northwood Village.
“With Northwood’s growing popularity and hip, funky businesses now filling the streets, we wanted to offer visitors a specialty loyalty program where Village VIPs can access exclusive discounts and freebies at Northwood shops and restaurants,” said Kate Volman, CRA marketing and events coordinator. “And, the revamped web site is not only more useful and user-friendly, the colorful and highly visual look is also more reflective of our urban, edgy vibe.”
Over the past few years, Northwood Village has undergone a revitalization that has welcomed impressive restaurants, distinctive shopping destinations and a quaint atmosphere with a friendly neighborhood feel as you stroll the main streets. For more information about Northwood and to become a Village VIP, visit www.northwoodvillage.org.
Mayor Muoio Getting Tattoo at Grand Opening in Northwood Village
Jun 16, 2011 - CRA, Mayor's Office
Who: West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
When: Friday, June 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(Ribbon cutting at 6:30pm)
Where: 519 25th Street
Mayor Muoio will be walking away from the grand opening of Hellcat Tattoo with a new tattoo. Ok so it’s temporary, but her excitement about the continued development and new business openings in Northwood Village is permanent. The ribbon cutting will take place at 6:30pm at 519 25th Street in conjunction with the monthly Art & Wine Promenade from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in Northwood Village.
“We are thrilled to be in Northwood Village and look forward to being part of the community,” said Dave Porter, owner of Hellcat Tattoo. In addition to the opening, Mr. Porter will be donating the proceeds from his sales from the entire day to the three non-profit organizations in the area including Blue Planet Writers’ Room, King’s Sports and Northwood Greenlife. “We’re here for the long run and we want to give back as much as we can to continue to improve the area.”
All are invited to attend the celebration and be part of the community event, the Art & Wine Promenade. Guests will enjoy complimentary wine tastings, cupcakes, food samplings, live entertainment, streetside artists, community mural and more.
For more information:
Kate Volman
CRA Marketing & Event Coordinator
City of West Palm Beach
401 Clematis Street
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
561-822-1551
kvolman@wpb.org
Three New Businesses Celebrate Grand Openings in Northwood Village
Jan 24, 2011 - CRA, Northwood Village
West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and Northwood Village Merchants Association
Northwood Village continues to attract new and exciting businesses to the area. With its unique, eclectic and creative feel, it’s easy to get excited about this up and coming area.
On Friday, January 28th, Mayor Lois Frankel, City Commissioners and lots of Northwood Village fans will come together to celebrate the opening of The Sunflower Room, King’s Sports and Harold’s Coffee Lounge all located on Northwood Road. That evening is also the monthly Art & Wine Promenade from 6-10pm. This free event includes live entertainment, streetside artists, complimentary wine tastings and more.
Participants will have an opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate to Northwood Village by playing the Northwood Village Swirl game. For more information about the event or Northwood Village, go to www.NorthwoodVillage.org.