Stet News Sonnenblick Development won the chance over rival bidder Forest Development on Monday to work with Riviera Beach on redevelopment of more than 80 acres of public land. The plan is to build a new City Hall, library, recreation center and housing north and south of 600 Blue Heron Blvd. and at 2215 Broadway. The Sonnenblick proposal estimates a total project cost of $480.6 million.
- The council will appoint a negotiating team to pursue a deal with Sonnenblick.
- The city has committed $20 million in sales tax money to the City Hall and $45 million in bond money to the recreation center.
✉️ As new apartment buildings and condos rise on Broadway in Riviera Beach,West Palm Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency is seeking proposals to redevelop several parcels on its side of Broadway south of Riviera Beach. The properties, amounting to 2.64 acres, are at 5817, 5811, 5800, 5701 and 5706 Broadway, plus 607 57th St. and 611 56th St. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)
⚖️ West Palm Beach has spent $5.6 million, by its own estimate, fighting the extension of State Road 7 east of the Ibis community. More than half has been spent since 2021 in a losing effort to challenge the project’s environmental permit. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
👎 The county’s deal to convert a La Quinta Inn into housing for seniors on the verge of homelessness is dead. County commissioners made the decision after inspections revealed extensive water damage and mildew. (The Palm Beach Post $$$)
Developer Gatsby Florida said it plans to break ground in January on an eight-story, 220,000-square-foot office building in Palm Beach Gardens. The developers of the nearby DiVosta Towers would build on land it bought for $17.5 million in July 2022 from developer Dan Catalfumo next to The Marc apartments on RCA Center Drive. If Tri-Rail ever extends north, the station would go next to the office building. (South Florida Business Journal $$$)Haunted by Brightline. A conductor landed his dream job. Then people started dying. (Miami Herald via WLRN)
A $7.5 million gift from Palm Beachers Alina de Almeida and John Paulson will go to the Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s new STEAM Studio. The contribution brings the expansion campaign to $133 million of its $150 million goal, the center said. (Palm Beach Daily News$$$)
🗓️ Stet and Joel’s former news site OnGardens.org have been covering the impact fee lawsuit between Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County since the county filed the suit in May 2021. Now the court case is on hold. Circuit Judge James Sherman agreed Nov. 5 to stay pretrial hearings planned for this month after the city appealed his Oct. 20 dismissal of its counterclaim.
🇯🇵 Why Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, sitting in his Jupiter home, signed five baseball cards in Japanese characters. (The Athletic gift link)
📖 Boynton Beach author Ginger L. Pedersen will share her insight into Dr. Mabel Elliott, often called the Florence Nightingale of her time, at lectures in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach starting Wednesday. Elliott is the focus of Pedersen’s latest book, “Unbreakable Healer.” (Lake Worth Beach Independent)
🎙️ “Top of Mind Florida” podcast hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley unpack the political theater behind Florida property tax-cut proposals and discuss affordability, hurricanes, Venezuela and the 2000 presidential election. (Listen now; watch after 4pm Wednesday)
