- The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency has advanced a massive, 25-story, $500 million project that would transform the city's troubled Broadway corridor.
- The project, located on the southeast corner of Broadway and Silver Beach Road where a closed grocery store now sits, would include 399 residential units, 9,680 square feet of retail space, 17,120 square feet of restaurant space and 11,000 square feet of office space.
- The sheer size of the project, welcomed by some for its transformative power, is a cause for concern for others.
The board of the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency has advanced a massive, 25-story, $500 million project that would transform the city's troubled Broadway corridor.
On July 24, CRA board members unanimously accepted a staff recommendation that the Occulina project be considered for approval by the City Council. Given that the CRA board members are also members of the City Council, the unanimous vote was a strong indicator of the project's prospects.
"We are excited for this project," said Douglas Lawson, who chairs both the CRA board and the City Council.
Occulina has been on the drawing board for at least three years as staff members of the CRA, which uses taxpayer money to revitalize distressed parts of the city, vetted it. The project, located on the southeast corner of Broadway and Silver Beach Road, where a closed grocery store now sits, would include 399 residential units, 9,680 square feet of retail space, 17,120 square feet of restaurant space and 11,000 square feet of office space.
Scott Evans, the CRA's director of Planning and Development, called Occulina "transformative," adding that it "will establish a new, high-quality development standard in the Broadway corridor."
That corridor, dotted with abandoned or dilapidated structures that form backdrops for vagrancy and other criminal activity, has long been a trouble spot for Riviera Beach. In recent years, however, city officials have come to view the corridor as a long ribbon of opportunity that could highlight the city's growth and transformation.
"The look, feel and investment potential of Broadway, I feel, will be improved as we seek to attract more projects similar to this, which are large-scale and high-quality design," Evans said. "We're trying to create a safe pedestrian environment."
Occulina one of many long-term redevelopment projects in Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach has already beguna wholesale remake of itselfit has called "Reimagine Riviera Beach." New fire stations are under construction, as is a new headquarters for the city's police department. In March, residents approved a trio of bond measures that authorize the city to spend up to $115 million for a new fire station, the new police headquarters and recreation facilities.
City officials have reached out to developers with the hope of crafting a public-private partnership that would include private development and the construction of a new City Hall. And the city is in the design phase for a new water treatment facility that could cost at least $300 million.
The city has set up a "Reimagine Riviera Beach" tab on its website so residents can track the progress of the various development projects underway.
Wayne M. Richards, chairman of the Port of Palm Beach Board of Commissioners and an attorney who represents Occulina's developer, Forest Development, said the firm is spending $425 million for construction and land improvements and another $75 million in soft costs. He said Occulina would directly or indirectly create 1,850 jobs.
A pair of figures — $3.5 million and $5 million — were discussed by staff, Richards and CRA board members as the annual revenue Occulina would generate for the CRA. Nearly $5 million in revenue from the project would be put in fund to pay for affordable housing.
RIVIERA BEACH NEWS:Police Department getting new $750,000 mobile command center
RIVIERA BEACH NEWS:McCray's Backyard BBQ and Seafood celebrates 90th anniversary with outdoor gathering
RIVIERA BEACH NEWS:Residents misled about safety of drinking water, state health agency finds
In accepting the CRA's staff recommendation that the Occulina project be advanced, board members were only to consider whether it fit with the agency's plan and mission.
A broader set of considerations will drive the decision of the City Council, which has not yet scheduled a meeting to discuss the project.
Massive size of Occulina project gives some an uneasy feeling
The sheer size of the project, welcomed by some for its transformative power, is a cause for concern for others.
"I'm a little bit concerned that this project is a little bit too big for this area," said Margaret Shepherd, the only resident to speak during the CRA board meeting. "This is just a humongous building. It's going to affect us all in the area."
Councilwoman Shirley Lanier shared some of those concerns.
"I do have some reservations about the hugeness of it," she said. "It's so close to the road. I like the idea. I like this concept, especially as a revenue generator for the city. I'm just a little concerned about the closeness of it to the road."
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him atwwashington@pbpost.com.Help support our work;subscribe today.
