The proposed development of 3111 South Dixie Highway with five high-rises (see details in our former blog post) is once again the subject of discussion. On Monday night (December 5th), the WPB City Commission will take their first vote. This is your chance to voice your opinion.
The meeting begins at 5:00 PM at City Hall and the projects will be reviewed sometime after 5.
In recent months, the city has been looking to WPB residents to give their opinions on the future of 8111 S. Dixie Hwy, the Palm Coast Plaza, and the West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course.
Among the ideas proposed by the City were to shrink the Municipal Golf Course to a Par-3 course or to a 9-hole course and develop the land as residential property.
In a September 8 city commission workshop, Natasha Alonso, Director of urban design and planning for consultant group Redevelopment Management Associates, said that residents made it clear they wanted the course to remain 18 holes and have a clubhouse that would “make it more than a golf course — a true gathering place.” They were also pushing for more trees, better entrance approaches and more of a connection with the surrounding community.
RMA heard what the public had to say- kind of. While all the options they presented left the course with 18 holes, three of the four proposals would shorten the course from slightly to significantly.
Scenario 1
Described as requiring the “least invention,” would redesign entries on the north and southeast of the course; add 16 townhomes near Forest Hill; improve landscaping, shading; add bike paths; and redesign the canal waterfront to have more of a connection with the course, which would remain a 72-par, 7,000-yard regulation/championship course. The negatives: it doesn’t maximize waterfront potential, and since it offers little opportunity for private residential development the project would solely rely on public money. Estimated price: $5,933,3766.
Scenario 2
Introduces a road that rings the course; puts a clubhouse on the south central part of the course, near the water; also has 16 townhomes but adds 218 residential units around the course at a variety of prices; adds heavy landscaping, a perimeter path, promenade, fishing pier, kayak-launch area and a connection to the Dreher Park bike trail. The downside: shifting the clubhouse to the south and adding housing means reconfiguring and shortening the course to a par-62, 4,775-yard executive course. Price: $12,908,156.
Scenario 3
Has entries in the north and southeast; adds a road that rings the course and another that goes through the middle, with 225 houses there and 18 townhouses in the north. The course is reduced to a par-63, at 5,170 yards. The site connects to Dreher Park trail. Southeastern placement of the clubhouse brings opportunity for a connection with the city’s 8111 S. Dixie Hwy. property and “under-bridge connections to really activate that waterfront,” consultant Natasha Alfonso says. Waterfront would include a kayak launch, pavilions, fishing pier, possibly a small restaurant and dock at the clubhouse. Cost: $12,319,815.
Scenario 4
A marriage of the least-intense and most-intense development scenarios. It contemplates apartment buildings three to six stories tall with 250 units on the east side of the course. The course is left at almost its existing size, with no ring road or central road. The canal would be dredged to make room for 33 houses surrounded by water. The clubhouse would be in the south central section of the waterfront, with a public marina. The trade-off: Most if not all the golf course size would remain but the mid-rise condos would add height and density. Price: $19,493,512, a number elevated by the cost of dredging and sea walls.
Other key points that came out of the workshop:
This project is far from over…or even getting started…stay tuned for more…
With two public meetings and a 3-day design charette behind them (see more info here), the RMA is ready to unveil its options for the development of the 8111 S. Dixie Highway property. See the note from SENA below.
Dear Neighbors,
As you may know RMA, the company which manages the City of West Palm Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency, has been working to create some proposals for the development of the 8111 site and possible tie-ins with the golf course and the Palm Coast Plaza.
After two public meetings and a 3-day design charrette, RMA developed some options which they will present to the public tomorrow at 10am. This is hugely important for the South End and we need as many people to come and show support as possible.
RMA will be presenting on Tuesday at 10am
at the Flagler Gallery, City Hall
We hope to see you there!
Best regards,
Your South End Neighbors
About SENA
The South End Neighborhood Association was formed in 2004. Our neighborhood in West Palm Beach, Florida is bounded by Southern Boulevard to the north, the Lake Worth spillway to the south, the intracoastal waterway to the east, and the FEC railway tracks to the west. There are more than 2,500 homes in the South End. Currently we have over 300 households as members and SENA is growing fast!
Changes are coming to South Dixie Highway. Find out what’s happening TONIGHT.
Dear Neighbors,
West Palm Beach Downtown and El Cid Historic Neighborhood Associations invite you to attend a presentation of design concepts for South Dixie Highway (from Okeechobee to Albemarle).
Event will be at Palm Beach Dramaworks from 6 to 8 pm with desserts provided by Ganache Bakery Cafe.
Best regards,
Your South End Neighbors (SENA)
The City of West Palm Beach is launching its annual budget city budget road show. This is your chance to find out how they are currently spending your tax dollars and give them your thoughts as to how to spend them in next year’s budget.
Three community workshops will be held this week:
Monday, July 27th
South Olive Community Center
345 Summa Street
6:00pm
Wednesday, July 29th
Gaines Park Community Center
1505 N. Australian Avenue
6:00pm
Thursday, July 30th
Fire Station # 7
8011 Okeechobee Boulevard
6:00pm
Make a point to attend one of these three meetings and let your opinion be heard.
From the Southend Neighborhood Association:
Thursday July 9th at 6:30 pm., please join SENA and the City of West Palm Beach Public Works Department to discuss an important project set on Gregory Road. The City and FPL will be making a powerpoint presentation with an open discussion to address FPL’s current project. FPL is set to replace all the old wood poles with concrete poles.
The City has asked SENA to facilitate communication between our members, FPL and the City. The specific area that is affected is Gregory Road between Olive Ave. and Dixie Highway. The discussion will focus on placement options, back of sidewalk or within the swale area.
Even if you do not live on Gregory, we are all neighbors and share in what happens in our community. We would like to make sure we have a large turnout. City is providing refreshments.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Best regards,
Your South End Neighbors
In 2012, after rumors began circulating that Wal-Mart had eyes on developing 8111 South Dixie Highway (the site of the old IHOP), the City purchased the 7-acre piece of property for $2.9 million. City leaders wanted to focus on a more innovative project that would help continue revitalizing the Southend. And, as the Southern most piece of property in West Palm Beach, leaders view it as as the gateway to the City for those coming from the South.
The site was cleared in October of last year and now the City of West Palm Beach is looking for help with the redevelopment of 8111. From the 18th till the 21st of May, the City will be hosting Design Charrettes.
The Design Charrette Kickoff meeting is tonight, May 18th at the South Olive Community Center, 345 Summa St, @ 6:30PM.
Come visit the Design Charrette Sessions, which will be held in the Hibiscus Room at Mandel Public Library
Tuesday, May 19 – Open to Public 6PM to 8PM
Wednesday, May 20 – Open to Public 6PM to 8PM
Thursday, May 21– Open to Public 10AM to 12PM
The designers will be working each of the 3 days from 9:30AM to 8:00PM.
The public session will be available for the public to come view what the designers are working on and give their feedback and ideas as the designs are developed.
Want to view the final plans and see what’s next for the Southend?
On May 20 at 6PM, you’re invited to sit in on a special session where the Parks Master plan draft will be unveiled.
This is your chance to help create the kind of neighborhood you want to live in. Don’t let the opportunity to get involved pass you by.
SoSo News 