Mayor Proclaims Week of Sept. 14 – 18 as Florida Redevelopment Week
Published on September 18, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Joy, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor's Office
Phone: (561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Email: kjoy@wpb.org
Meredith Westheimer
Phone: (561) 213-8192
Email: meredithw@themooreagency.com
City of West Palm Beach Proclaims Week of Sept. 14 – 18 as Florida Redevelopment Week
Proclamation recognizes West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s efforts, impact
West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Chris Roog accepts the proclamation from Mayor Keith A. James declaring the week of Sept. 14-18 as Florida Development Week within the City of West Palm Beach. Joining in on the proclamation are CRA staff members, from left, Kelsey King, Stephanie Swimmer, Mark Mathurin, Dr. Alisha Winn, Valcia Morris, Brad Nella, Kerry Osler (in back row between Mr. Roog and Mayor James), Ayra Gonzalez, Carlos Rodriguez, Stella DeBeech and Genia Baker.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (September 18, 2026) – From Currie Park and Northwood Village to the Historic Northwest and Downtown, projects helping revitalize neighborhoods, support local businesses, and enhance public spaces are being recognized as the City of West Palm Beach proclaims Sept. 14-18 Florida Redevelopment Week. The proclamation acknowledges the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and its impact through ongoing partnerships with residents, businesses, property owners, and community stakeholders throughout the city.
The proclamation is part of a statewide effort by the Florida Redevelopment Association to raise awareness of the role and impact of community redevelopment agencies. Mayor Keith A. James and City Commissioners presented it to CRA leadership and staff during Monday’s City Commission meeting, recognizing the important role redevelopment plays in strengthening neighborhoods, supporting economic opportunity, preserving the city’s history, and creating vibrant places for residents and visitors.
“Florida Redevelopment Week is an opportunity to recognize the important work of our West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the progress we are seeing across our city,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “Through strategic investments and strong community partnerships, the CRA is helping strengthen our neighborhoods, support local businesses, and create opportunities that will benefit West Palm Beach for years to come.”
A Community Redevelopment Agency is a public entity focused on revitalizing designated areas through strategic investment. The West Palm Beach CRA supports businesses, enhances public spaces, creates opportunities for residents, and attracts new investment. It is funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which reinvests growth in property tax revenue back into redevelopment areas. CRA projects range from infrastructure and new development to historic preservation, affordable housing, public spaces, and neighborhood improvements.
Across the West Palm Beach CRA’s two districts and ten target areas, projects are advancing in ways that reflect each neighborhood’s unique character and priorities, including:
Downtown City Center CRA:
In the Downtown/City Center District, improvements to the Clematis Street alleyways are transforming underutilized spaces into more inviting pedestrian connections. The Fern Street Crossing project is moving forward with new federal and state funding, creating an important connection across the CSX railway and improving access between downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Meanwhile, West Palm Move, the City’s new permanent mobility network, is now serving residents, employees, and visitors with frequent electric fixed-route service and on-demand transportation, creating new connections throughout the city.
In the Historic Northwest, the restoration of the iconic Sunset Lounge is complete, while Styx Promenade has welcomed six minority-owned businesses and created a new hub of neighborhood activity. Tamarind Avenue Phase 3 is scheduled to begin next spring, building on the CRA’s ongoing investment in the corridor. The district is also seeing renewed energy among local businesses, with the grand openings/re-openings of Fantasy Island, Hamburger Haven, and D’Best BBQ, and Vegan Fine Foods set to open soon on Sapodilla Avenue.
In the Nora District, once-underutilized warehouses and industrial properties have been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use corridor featuring restaurants, retail, entertainment, and new places to gather. The Nora Hotel, a major addition to the district’s continued growth, is scheduled to open next month, further expanding the area as a destination for residents and visitors.
Northwood/Pleasant City CRA:
At Currie Park, redevelopment of the 13.6-acre waterfront property is currently under construction with plans to create a dynamic public destination along the Intracoastal Waterway, with expanded recreational amenities, improved waterfront access, and new opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the park in spring 2027.
In Northwood Village, continued development is bringing new housing opportunities, commercial activity, and public improvements to the district through projects such as The Spruce and The District at Northwood. Together, these projects are expanding housing options, supporting economic growth, and adding new amenities while complementing the character and vibrancy of the existing neighborhood.
In Pleasant City, the CRA continues to focus on neighborhood investment that directly benefits residents, with an emphasis on safety, housing, and quality-of-life improvements. Public safety initiatives, including expanded security infrastructure, are helping strengthen the neighborhood, while home improvement programs are supporting residents in maintaining and improving their properties. Together, these efforts are advancing the CRA’s goal of strengthening Pleasant City one home and one block at a time.
“Redevelopment is about more than new buildings and infrastructure,” said Chris Roog, Executive Director of the West Palm Beach CRA. “It is about making thoughtful investments that reflect each neighborhood’s history, character, and needs. Our goal is to create opportunities for residents and businesses while preserving what makes these communities unique. That requires listening, planning, partnering, and following through.”
Florida Redevelopment Week also highlights the public process behind redevelopment and encourages residents to stay engaged. The CRA invites community members to participate by attending meetings and workshops, learning about neighborhood projects, visiting CRA-supported destinations such as Heart & Soul Park and Styx Promenade, and sharing feedback.
“Community involvement remains essential. Working alongside residents, businesses, and investors helps ensure redevelopment reflects community priorities and delivers lasting benefits,” continued Roog.
For more information about the West Palm Beach CRA and opportunities to get involved, visit wpb.org/cra, call (561) 822-1550, or email cra@wpb.org.
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About the City of West Palm Beach
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront city that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn. To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800-955-8771).
About the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA):
A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a dependent district established by City government to carry out redevelopment activities that include reducing or eliminating blight, improving the economic health of an area, and encouraging public and private investments in a CRA district. The CRA is governed by State Statutes, Chapter 163, Part III. The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
Learn more about the CRA on our official website, or follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.