For around-the-clock, real-time, traffic information within the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade counties), travelers should call 511. For I-95 Palm Beach County traffic reports just say “I-95” or “Interstate 95″. Information is also available on-line at www.511southflorida.com.

To view real-time video of I-95 in Palm Beach County, visit the FDOT I-95 Interim Traffic Management System (ITMS) website at www.palmbeachcotraffic.org. These free services are provided by FDOT and the SunGuide™ Partners. For updated lane closure information, please refer to www.pbfdot.com.

“This project will help put people to work and continues our commitment to improving and redeveloping Northwood Village,” said Mayor Frankel.

The Northwood Village infrastructure improvement project is funded by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), a $1.2 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, a $500,000 grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City’s Department of Public Utilities.  The $4 million project, which will create about 40 jobs, will replace aging water pipes, improve drainage, enhance sidewalks, create additional on-street parking, improve lighting and beautify landscaping.  The improvements will help attract new businesses and help existing businesses thrive.

The City currently has 129 capital improvement projects either underway or beginning in the near future.  The projects are creating hundreds of construction jobs and improving the quality of life for a countless number of residents and visitors.

Northwood Village is an area that has seen significant revitalization in recent years.  The unique shopping district has added 20 businesses in the past 18 months.  Plans are in the works for at least two new businesses in the coming ninety days.

All residents, businesses and their customers will continue to have access to their destinations in Northwood Village throughout this construction project.

City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will kick off a new West Palm Beach project that will create jobs and improve the community at a special groundbreaking on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.  The groundbreaking will be held at the corner of 24th Street and Broadway in West Palm Beach.

Business owners and City leaders will join the Mayor as the City begins a year-long, $4 million improvement project in Northwood Village, an area that is under redevelopment.  The project will update aging drinking water lines, improve drainage, enhance lighting, upgrade sidewalks and more.  It is funded by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

The 12-month project is expected to create about 40 construction jobs and also help the many locally-owned businesses in the area succeed and expand, putting more local people to work.

National Weather Service

(01/28/10) Due to infrastructure improvements, the intersection of 24 th Street and Broadway will be closed to traffic beginning Thursday, January 28, 2010 . The intersection is expected to reopen on Thursday, February 4, 2010.

All businesses in the area will be open for the entire construction project and parking will be available for customers.

The intersection will be closed as crews upgrade a water main pipe in the area. The work is part of a 12-month, $4 million infrastructure improvement and streetscape project in the Northwood Village area.

After completion of this phase of work, 24th Street and 25th Street will experience lane closures over the next 12 months. A minimum of one lane of traffic will remain open at all times on 24th and 25th Streets for the duration of the project.

Also, on February 4, 2010, the westbound lane on 24th Street will be closed between Broadway and Spruce Avenue until mid-April. Westbound through traffic should use 25th Street.

Donations being accepted at City facilities; Locations listed here

The City of West Palm Beach is urging residents to support the Palm Beach County Haitian Relief effort by dropping off nonperishable food items, water and medical supplies at City Center and other City facilities, including Fire Stations and Community Centers.  Donated items will be transported to Haiti by Missionary Flights International. People wishing to make monetary donations should contact the humanitarian relief agency of their choice.

The following are suggested items for donation:  canned foods (with flip-top lids), bottled water, condensed, evaporated and powdered milk, rice and beans in 10 to 20 pound bags, canned pasta meals, garbage liners, crackers, baby food, peanut butter, batteries, flashlights, matches, antibiotic ointment, gauze bandages, medical tape, feminine hygiene products, personal hygiene kits (bar soap, toothbrush/paste and Band-Aids placed in one-gallon Ziplock bags), diapers, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.  If possible, please bring your donations in a cardboard box.

“I encourage everyone to support this relief effort, no matter how big or how small the donation,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “The people of Haiti and their family and friends here in the United States are in our prayers.”

A complete list of donation drop-off locations and hours of operation can be found at wpb.org.  Residents with questions can also call the City’s 24-hour non-emergency hotline, 561-822-2222.

Donations are being accepted at the following West Palm Beach locations:

City Center, both in the main lobby of City Hall and in the Library’s Urban Living Room.  City Center is located at 401 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach at the corner of Dixie Highway and Clematis Street.

The City’s eight Fire Stations, which are located throughout the City.  They are located at 500 North Dixie Highway, 4301 South Dixie Highway, 5050 Broadway Avenue, 1718 Parker Avenue, 700 North Congress Avenue, 3033 Cumberland Drive, 8007 Okeechobee Boulevard and 10965 Northlake Boulevard.

There City’s six Community Centers: Coleman Park Community Center, 1116 21st Street; Gaines Park Community Center, 1501 North Australian Avenue; Howard Park Community Center, 1302 Parker Avenue; Pleasant City Community Center, 500 22nd Street; South Olive Park Community Center, 345 Summa Street; and, Vedado Park Community Center, 3710 Paseo Andalusia.

The City’s two Vickers House locations:  811 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and 3801 Georgia Avenue.

The City Police Department, located at 600 Banyan Boulevard.

The Northwood Youth Empowerment Center, located at 723 39th Street.

The City is undertaking this effort in conjunction with Palm Beach County Haitian Relief, a 501-(c)(3) organization which collects supplies and charters flights to deliver those supplies to Haiti.  P.B County Haitian Relief will coordinate the transportation and the distribution of the donated items.  Partners in this effort include members of Leadership Palm Beach County 2010, the City of Greenacres, the City of Riviera Beach, the City of Boca Raton, the City of Boynton Beach, the City of Delray Beach, the Port of Palm Beach, La Palma, Smart Box, Palm Beach State College and the St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute.

WHEN: Thursday, February 4, 2010 5:00 – 9:00 pm

WHERE: Downtown West Palm Beach in Centennial Square, the 200 block of Clematis Street and the Meyer Amphitheatre

ADMISSION: FREE and open to the public

HIGHLIGHTS:

Entertainment
FREE concert in the Meyer Amphitheatre with headliner, Starship starring Mickey Thomas at 7:45pm. Starship is one of the greatest rock bands of the 70’s & 80’s, selling millions of records worldwide with hit singles in the U.S. including “We Built This City”, and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” Warming up the stage for Starship, from 6pm – 7:30pm, will be Larry Lee and the “Back in the Day” Band. Larry Lee spent 18 years in the NFL as a player and executive. He played with the Lions, Dolphins and Super Bowl 22 with the Broncos. His “Back in the Day” band has played for numerous past Super Bowl and NFL events. Centennial Square guests will enjoy the Gypsy Lane Band.

Football Fun
A variety of fun, interactive games and clinics will take place in the 200 block of Clematis Street including:

NFL Football Players “Meet and Greets”

• REGGIE GIVENS- 5pm – 7pm: former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins

• GODFREY MYLES- 5pm – 7pm: former linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys

• JAMES PRUITT- 7pm – 9pm: wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts

• TROY DRAYTON- 7pm – 9pm: tight end for the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams

• HEATH EVANS- 7pm – 9pm: fullback for the New Orleans Saints, played previously with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots

The Palm Beach Makos, an inaugural minor league football club, will run skills tests, giveaways and simulated games on a real, artificial turf field on Clematis Street.

Florida Atlantic University football players will operate a football toss clinic while the FAU cheerleaders pep up the crowd.

Additional pigskin activities will take place in the Meyer Amphitheatre, as the City of West Palm Beach Parks and Recreation Department brings out their NFL Flag Football teams for skills challenges and team scrimmages from 5pm – 7pm.

Miss Florida, Megan Clemanti, will also make a guest appearance from 6pm – 8pm in the 200 block of Clematis in front of Feelgoods Rock Bar and Grill.

Spirit Off
At 5pm, Palm Beach County Middle and High Schools will kick off Super Clematis by Night with marching bands and cheerleaders energizing Narcissus Avenue from Banyan Boulevard to the Meyer Amphitheatre. Cheerleading and drum line competitions will follow at 5:30pm in the Meyer.

FAN-tastic Radio Station Contests
WILD Bowl: WILD 95.5 kicks off the fun at 5pm with an All Female Field Goal Kicking Contest in the Meyer Amphitheatre. Winner will receive a grand prize package of a 42” TV, food for 20 people, grill and maid service for a Super Bowl party, plus passes to Super Bowl Saturday Night, the NFL’s official countdown event to Super Bowl XLIV.

KOOL 105.5  Best Seat in the House: Beginning Monday, January 26, Mo and Sally on the Morning Show will qualify listeners for the “Best Seat in the House.” Each winner will receive a pair of tickets to the Jordin Sparks Experience in South Beach on February 3. Two of those winners will be selected for the Grand Prize of “Best Seat in the House” to watch Starship from the side of stage at Super Clematis by Night.

GATER: FANatic Contest: Show your allegiance to your favorite NFL team at Super Clematis by Night. The top five FANATICS will win a pair of VIP passes to Super Bowl Saturday Night.

Directions to SUPER Clematis by Night
From I-95 exit east onto Okeechobee Boulevard. Travel east on Okeechobee until you reach Quadrille Boulevard. Turn left (north) onto Quadrille Boulevard and proceed north until you arrive at Clematis Street. At Clematis Street make a right (east) and continue east past Olive Avenue to Centennial Square. Centennial Square is located in the 100 block of Clematis Street between Narcissus Avenue and Flagler Drive.

Parking
Ample public parking is available at the following City garages and surface lots at reasonable rates and the first hour is always free:
The Banyan Street Garage, located at Banyan Boulevard and Olive Avenue just one block North of Clematis Street
The City Old Hall surface parking lot, located East of City Hall at Olive Avenue and Banyan Street just one block North of Clematis Street
The Evernia Street Garage, located at Evernia Street and Olive Avenue just two blocks South of Clematis Street
Numerous private parking lots in the downtown area are also available for parking and a free trolley runs round-trip from Clematis Street to CityPlace.

INFORMATION: For more information, please contact the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at (561) 822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight.net

PRODUCED by: The City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division

SPONSORS: South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee 2010, The Palm Beach Post, Wachovia, 2010 US Census, West Palm Beach Marriott, Palm Beach County, Coors Light, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Pbpulse, West Palm Beach Marriott, CBS12, Feelgoods Rock Bar and Grill, Wild 95.5, Reef Road, Gater 98.7, Kool 105.5