Newsletter


 
WPB Downtown Neighborhood Association


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Happy New Year, DNA community!

As we step into 2025, it’s incredible to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve achieved together. From hosting our most memorable Holiday Party to expanding initiatives and welcoming new members, 2024 was a year to celebrate. These milestones are a testament to the strength of our Downtown Neighborhood Association.

We’re kicking off the year with the DNA Annual Business Meeting and Community Chat on January 30th. This important gathering will not only set the stage for 2025 but also feature the 2025 DNA Board Election. Come meet the dedicated candidates stepping up to lead our association and cast your vote to shape the future of WPB DNA. 

Another exciting way to connect is through our Exclusive DNA Private Morning In The Market Food Tour. Explore downtown’s culinary gems while enjoying the company of fellow neighbors. Be sure to use the code DNA when you register to receive a special discount.

Here’s to making 2025 a year of growth, connection, and vibrant community spirit. We can’t wait to see you at these upcoming events!

Sitima Fowler, WPB DNA President


UPCOMING EVENTS

January 30th,  6:00 PM-8 PM, DNA Member Annual Business Meeting & Community Chat Join us for an exclusive opportunity at our Members-Only free event sponsored by Seacoast Bank! This is your chance to influence the future of our neighborhood with a dynamic agenda, including updates from our DNA President, WPB Police, Planning Division, and a Waterfront Update. Not a member yet? Seize the chance to become a member and be a part of the conversation that shapes our community's path. Space is limited so RSVP HERE

February 1, 9AM - 11AM, DNA Morning In The Market Food Tour, The Green MarketJoin us for an exclusive DNA discounted food tour and find out what all the buzz is about! This small group event is limited to 30 so don't wait. RSVP HERE

Calendar of Downtown Events Click Here

City of WPB Events Click Here


NEWS

DNA Board Member Vote:  On January 30th at the Annual Business Meeting, the DNA will confirm its new board of directors.  Here are the bios of the current board of directors.


PAST DNA EVENTS

The sold out DNA Holiday Cocktail Party was epic. Celebrating another year as a community thanks to our sponsors FirstService Residential, John Lacy - Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Group, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, EisnerAmper, Brain and Spine of South Florida. Don't let the next DNA event slip through your fingers. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for more pictures and announcements.


ADVOCACY

The DNA has partnered with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to amplify the voice of our residents. We're actively collecting your requests and adding them to our collaborative spreadsheet, which we're sharing with the DDA and the City to work towards building awareness and resolutions. Come to the next board meeting and share your thoughts.

The DNA has been attending city commission meetings and here are some highlights:

The last Commission meeting 12/9 was the shortest in memory---a mere 24 minutes.  Nothing of note happened, aside from assorted council members' mutual congratulations on the success of the first meeting in WPB of the African-American Mayors' Association.  That association sought WPB as their venue in 2024, not the other way around.  23 mayors attended, and toured not just downtown but the newly-renovated Sunset Lounge and Heart & Soul Park.

BE IN THE KNOW.  LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Downtown residents pay additional taxes to fund the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Check out the December 2024 DDA board meeting packet and financials. DDA Board Meetings are open to the public and are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. (temporarily at the Ben hotel).  For questions or to submit public comments, please email [email protected]

The DDA meeting 12/17 had two items of note:
1) Some DDA members wanted to send a letter to the city requesting a role in shaping the "Your Waterfront, Your Way" project since the DDA represents "stakeholders" downtown.  Other members, including the chairman, rejected that idea, since the DDA's influence was never requested, and the mayor's office might resent the intrusion.  The DDA voted to table the discussion.
2) DDA discussed their "Business Incentive Grant Program," established 2004, which provides money to help old storefronts look more updated and attractive.  Examples of their efforts are at Finer Optics on Clematis Street and Johan's Joe on Dixie.  There was general agreement that the program should preserve visual differences among storefronts to avoid the monotony of storefronts in downtown Boca Raton, for instance.  $2.1 million has been spent since 2004, and several types of business are excluded: major national brands, tattoo parlors, vape & CBD shops, liquor stores, and nightclubs. 
WPB police dept. presentation to the DDA 12/18:
Jennifer Ferriol and various WPB police gave an update on the city's homeless "recovery" program.  The city's Community services division publishes a monthly newsletter detailing how many homeless were "engaged," how many placed in housing, how many given mental health care, etc.  The results are a mixed bag and likely to continue that way, since the police can't force the homeless to stay in a program.  Ferriol reported that the hardest homeless to recruit are the ones who break the rules of the shelters or refuse to pay the $85 / month rent at section 8 public housing.
To clarify current laws regarding the homeless:
---the state of Florida recently repealed the "aggressive panhandling law," deeming it unconstitutional
---anybody is allowed to sleep in public parks during the day, but overnight sleeping / camping is illegal and the police may arrest that sleeper / camper.

BECOME A MEMBER

Not a DNA Member? Join Now for only $25/year and get involved!  As a DNA member, you are helping to enhance quality of lives by strengthening the collaboration between residents, government and businesses through Social Interaction, Information Sharing and Advocacy.  #StrengthInNumbers


VOLUNTEERING MATTERS

Have fun, make new friends and share your talents by joining us!  Please reach out to us at [email protected] 


COMINGS AND GOINGS 

Excerpts from CityPlaceAngels e-newsletter by Tom Carelli  ([email protected])

1) Upscale Canadian eatery chain Moxies is coming to CityPlace. It will occupy the Northwest corner of Rosemary & Hibiscus @ The Laurel.
2) Diagonally across from Moxies, high end Indian restaurant Ela Curry & Cocktails from PB Gardens will occupy the site of City Pizza. It is also expected to take over the adjacent spot, formerly home to Sweet Ginger which closed in 2019.
3) Yolk breakfast cafe has closed its location on Clematis St after 20 months, as well as it's only other FL spot in Boca.
4) Gourmet dessert shop Just Baked, from Boca, was scheduled to open @ 211 S Narcissus St at the base of The Strand Condominium. It is uncertain if a newly discovered $24K impact fee from the county will change that.
5) Tiger Woods' PopStroke, an upscale mini golf entertainment center, is now open adjacent to PBI airport & across from Drive Shack, a driving range & sports bar venue.
6) City Pizza 🍕 has gotten it's 3rd extension to January 31 @ CityPlace. It's new location at the Tanger Outlets is also open.
7) FPL Evolution Plaza is now open opposite the Brightline station. According to the utility company, it's "the first of it's kind in FL to combine EV fast chargers, solar energy and battery storage." There are 6 EV chargers at this location.

8) Cleveland Clinic 123
  1) CC has been operating a 30K sq foot outpatient Medical Center at the CityPlace Tower at 525 Okeechobee Blvd since 2009.
  2)  CC will lease 120K sq feet at the future 15 CityPlace Tower on the former AMC theater lot for an expanded outpatient center.
  3) CC is in the process of acquiring land for a 150 bed hospital & emergency center in downtown WPB, believed to be on South Australian Ave, just west of the WPB Tri-Rail station. They have been ranked #1 in heart care for 3 decades.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

  • WPB Police (Non-Emergency): 561-822-1900
  • Downtown Ambassadors: 728-206-4545 
  • City Hotline: 561-822-2222
  • City Services: 561-822-2210 (emergencies)
  • Download Free App - The WPBKey app provides a platform for residents to engage with the city to maintain a cleaner & safer neighborhood. 

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