Community and Opportunity

West Palm Beach is a City of involvement, opportunity and growth with a sense of community. The character of the City is shaped by the people, the neighborhoods and the businesses. Mayor Keith A. James believes in highlighting the best of the best, welcoming community improvements, visitors and honoring the past.

Tributes, proclamations, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and welcoming new businesses and organizations as they set down roots is a small part of making West Palm Beach a community of opportunity for all. It is with great pride that the City gets involved, stays involved and welcomes all.

Northwood Village Welcomes
Casa Cristalle

Mayor Keith A. James, holding scissors, cuts the ribbon with, from left, Carlos Cabrera, Cristalee Gacia, owner Lisette Abreu Cabrera , Maria Garcia and Rafael Abreu

Mayor Keith A. James, holding scissors, cuts the ribbon with, from left,
Carlos Cabrera, Cristalee Garcia, owner Lissette Abreu Cabrera, Maria Garcia
and Rafael Abreu.

Mayor Keith A. James welcomed Casa Cristalle to the Northwood Village community on June 13, 2025; located at 508A Northwood Road, this boutique offers an array of fine China sets and decor where a portion of every sale will help fund a charity. Mayor James was proud to join in the opening as shop owner Lissette Abreu and her family. Mrs. Cabrera said she chose the Northwood Village business district within the City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency for its quaint boutique charm.

Mayor Keith A. James Proclaims June as
LGBTQ+ Pride Month in West Palm Beach

From left, Daniel Kane, Roger Jackson, Night Runners secretary. Mayor Keith A. James, Melissa Anderson, City LGBTQ+ liaison, and Teresa Gonzalez.

Participating in the Proclamation presentation, are, from left, Daniel Kane, Night Runners board of directors, Roger Jackson, secretary of the Night Runners, Mayor Keith A. James, Melissa Anderson, City of West Palm Beach LGBTQ+ liaison, and Teresa Gonzalez, vice president of Night Runners. The annual Night Runners Pride 5K Walk/Run is Saturday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. along the West Palm Beach waterfront.

Katrina's Boutique Ribbon Cutting

Mayor Keith A. James and Katrina Kovtoun cut the ribbon to open Katrina's Boutique

The City of West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (Downtown West Palm Beach) and the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches welcomed Katrina's Boutique to the downtown area on Thursday evening, May 29, 2025. Mayor Keith A. James welcomed Katrina's Boutique owner Katrina Kovtoun to the growing downtown area. The fashion store is located at 103 S. Olive Avenue.

Lupus Awareness Month

Lupus Awareness Month, Proclamation presentation with City Commissioner Christy Fox, Lupie Girl, Inc., president Brieana Salter, and Major Keith A. James.

Mayor Keith A. James proclaimed May 2025 as Lupus Awareness Month in the City of West Palm Beach. Mayor James, along with City Commissioner Christy Fox, presented the proclamation to Brieana Salter, president and founder of Lupi Girl, Inc. The organization was created to assist residents afflicted with the chronic autoimmune disease which attacks the body's own tissues and vital organs. Ms. Salter was diagnosed with the disease while a student in college. Not willing to give in to the disease, Ms. Salter completed her undergraduate education, earned a Masters Degree in Health Law, and is currently an adjunct instructor in Health Management at Palm Beach State College. Mayor James and Commissioner Fox presented the proclamation at City Hall on Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2025.

Crema Gourmet & Espresso Bar

Crowd gathers around Mayor Keith A. James as he cuts the ribbon to open Crema's Gourmet Restaurant.

Downtown West Palm Beach continues to attract new businesses as the area has proven to be a magnet for residents and visitors. Mayor Keith A. James is joined by the owners and staff of Crema's Gourmet & Espresso Bar in cutting the ribbon to officially open the restaurant Thursday morning, May 29, 2025, in downtown West Palm Beach. The opening, at 216 Clematis Street, is the 20th Crema Gourmet location, and the 19th in South Florida.

Alvarez & Marsal Corporate Ribbon Cutting

Mayor Keith A. James and the City of West Palm Beach welcomed the global wealth management firm, Alvarez & Marsal to the City as they opened their corporate office on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. With offices in more than 35 nations spanning six continents, Alvarez & Marsal has chosen "Wall Street South" as their new corporate center.

Cutting ribbon, from left, Tony Alvarez II, Peter Sacripanti, Mayor James, Michael Calkin, Bryan Marsal

Mayor Keith A. James, center, cuts the ribbon to welcome Alvarez & Marsal to the City. Participating in the ribbon cutting are from left, Tony Alvarez II, founding partner, Peter Sacripanti, managing director, Mayor James, Michael Calkin, managing director, and Bryan Marsal, founding partner.

World Quantum Day

Mayor Keith A. James met with Business Development Board of Palm Beach County officials and representatives of Quantum Coast Capital on Friday, April 11 to discuss World Quantum Day, Monday, April 14, 2025. World Quantum Day promotes quantum science and technology. It's celebrated each year on April 14 in honor of German physicist Max Planck, who won the Nobel Prize for his quantum theory.

Seven people standing, Shawn Rowan (BDB); Kristen Liberman (BDB), Kelly Smallridge (BDB), Mayor Keith A. James; Hillary Matchett and Matt Cimaglia (QuantumCoast Capital); and Tom Valeo.

Joining Mayor Keith A. James, center, in the Mayor's Board Room are, from left, Shawn Rowan and Kristen Liberman, Business Development Board, Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO, Business Development Board, Hillary Matchett and Matt Cimaglia of Quantum Coast Capital; and Tom Valeo, Mayor James' Chief of Staff.

Mayor's Annual Education Fair

Mayor Keith A. James annually invites area college and university representatives to meet with employees and the public in the Mandel Public Library’s Urban Living Room. Representatives from 11 centers for higher learning were invited to participate and discuss options for participants to advance their education. The event was held Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The Julie and Mike Connors Boys and Girls Club at Dreher Park

Group of children pose before groundbreaking

Young members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Palm Beach County helped Mayor Keith A. James and other dignitaries break ground for the new Julie and Mike Connors Club at Dreher Park on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Children applaud and cheer as the Mayor arrives for the groundbreaking

Phipps Park - Skate Park and Pickleball Courts Ribbon Cutting

Funded by the Parks 2020 Bond Issue and City Funds

Mayor Keith A. James is surrounded by children in roller skates and holding skateboards, and pickleball players as he cuts the ribbon Tuesday, March 25, 2025 to officially open the new Phipps Skate Park and Pickleball Courts, 4715 South Dixie Highway, 33305.

44th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show Opens

Major Keith A. James cuts the ribbon to open the Palm Beach International Boat Show

Mayor Keith A. James cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected to view about 1,000 boats and mega-yachts during the five-day run of the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show along the West Palm Beach waterfront. Mayor Keith A. James cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. A staple along Flagler Drive for more than four decades, the Boat Show has an estimated $1.1 billion impact on the City and local businesses, including the marine and hospitality industries.

Black History Month

Mayor Keith A. James presents proclamation to PBSC President Ava C. Parker

Palm Beach State College President Ava C. Parker accepts the Black History Month Proclamation from Mayor Keith A. James at the Monday, March 31, 2025, Mayor and City Commission meeting. The City of West Palm Beach takes pride in honoring individuals who have contributed significantly to the Black community during Black History Month. Celebrated each February, each Mayor Keith A. James and each City Commissioner honors one person for their contributions. However, President Parker was unable to attend the official ceremony.

Affordable Housing in Coleman Park

Check presentation with, from left, Jennifer Ferriol, US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Mayor Keith A. James, and Kimberly Spence

U. S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-20th, FL) presented a check for $1 million to the City of West Palm Beach and the City's Department Housing and Community Development (HCD) for affordable housing in the Coleman Park neighborhood. The presentation included, from left, Jennifer Ferriol, Director of HCD, Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mayor Keith A. James, and Kimberly Spencer, Assistant Director of HCD. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick made the presentation at the Monday, March 17, 2025 Mayor and City Commission meeting.

10 and 15 CityPlace Groundbreaking

Mayor Keith A. James celebrated the groundbreaking for the 10 and 15 CityPlace towers with Stephen Ross and Related Ross executives on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Mayor James told the gathering this is one of the most significant office complexes for the City. Mr. Ross added that West Palm Beach is a model City that will is anchoring Palm Beach County as the "most important county in the United States."

Ken Himmel, President Related Ross, Mayor Keith A. James, and Stephen Ross, Related Ross CEO and Chairman

Annual West Palm Beach Police Awards Brunch

The men and women of the West Palm Beach Police Department were celebrated and honored by business leaders and residents at the 4th Annual Police Awards Brunch at the Kravis Center, hosted by The Fund on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Sworn officers and civilian employees were singled out individually and collectively for their exemplary service to the residents of the City.