Elephant in the room: a marina
West Palm Beach's community meetings on the waterfront continue this week.
About 30 people participated in the first of three community meetings about West Palm Beach’s downtown waterfront, and most showed up to oppose putting a marina there.
Why it’s important: “Your feedback is the most important and critical piece of the process,” Jennifer Ferriol, director of housing and community development, told the audience at Thursday’s meeting at Cacti Park.
What’s happening: Consultant Tony Garcia of Street Plans was hired by the city to conduct a months-long study of the streets and public spaces that lead to the Intracoastal Waterway between the Flagler and Royal Park bridges.
Garcia asked for a show of hands of people at the meeting because of the city’s plan, scrubbed last year, to lease part of the space to a private marina operator. Almost every hand went up.
He said he told city leaders, “If what you want is a marina, I am not your guy.”
Of note: Terri Parker of Channel 25 reported that marina developer Ray Graziotto of City Harbor attended part of the meeting.
Garcia expects to make recommendations on strategies including:
The right event mix.
The city’s role in managing the area.
What’s missing from the waterfront?
What will attract people to visit businesses and attractions beyond the waterfront?
By the numbers:
In 2023, there were about 1.6 million visits to the waterfront by 700,000 people.
900,000 of the visits were by people who came at least 30 times in the last 12 months
Most visitors live or work within a five-minute walk.
The busiest day of the week is Saturday, which is also the day of the city’s seasonal green market on the Great Lawn.
What we’re watching: Garcia shared key features of successful public spaces in cities from Washington, D.C., to Sarasota. Many are managed by nonprofit organizations. Will he recommend West Palm Beach create an agency or nonprofit to manage its waterfront?
What they’re saying: “I’m an optimist,” said Michelle Cramer, who lives near the waterfront. “So I hope we can keep this and beautify it.”
What’s next: More community meetings are planned.
6 pm Tuesday at South Olive Tennis Center
10 am Saturday at the Mandel Public Library
Participate now via this community survey.
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