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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

St. Patrick's Day is almost here, and with it comes a little extra luck! As we step into spring, we’re feeling fortunate to have such a strong and engaged downtown community—and even luckier to have an exciting lineup of events coming up starting with ArtWalk and Happy Hour. 

Sitima Fowler, WPB DNA President

UPCOMING EVENTS

Calendar of Downtown Events Click Here

City of WPB Events Click Here

Cityplace Events  Click Here

THE SCHMIDT REPORT

At the February18th City Commission meeting, there was lots of discussion of the "Broadway Corridor" which covers both sides of that street from 25th Street to 59th. In order to tidy up the Broadway Corridor, the C.R.A. (Community Redevelopment Agency) has purchased a small amount of land around 57th & Broadway with a plan to build a 7-story "workforce housing" condo building with the first floor reserved for existing local businesses.  It is their belief that private developers will follow their lead along that same street.  The commission unanimously passed a zoning change allowing buildings up to 7 stories.  The mayor and all commissioners praised these efforts, but Commissioner Lambert expressed some concerns about adequate parking. The C.R.A. agreed that parking will be a future issue and foresee the building of a parking garage.    

1) Commission approved $275k for repairs to the centennial fountain at the east end of Clematis Street.

2) This year, the boat show on Flagler Drive will be expanded to 5 days, March 19-23, per commission approval.

3) Good news for tennis geeks: after a direly-needed rehabilitation, city-owned Howard Park Tennis Center (next to the convention center) reopened Feb. 19.  It features clay and hard courts, along with pickleball courts. 

4) Who knew that condo buyers downtown are jonesing to have 2 kitchens?  Apparently, there have been enough requests from luxury condo owners & buyers that the commission passed a city-wide zoning change that allows all single-family homes and condos to build 2 kitchens, as long as the kitchens only serve that domicile.

PAST DNA EVENTS

The January DNA Annual Business Meeting was well attended at the beautiful Community Foundation.  Members enjoyed complimentary appetizers in the courtyard and get updates from our downtown police, fire department, Downtown Development Authority and Planning Division. There was an engaged Q&A session followed by an up close look at the new firetruck exclusive to downtown. If you missed the event, here are some of the presentation slides.

Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for more pictures and announcements.

ADVOCACY

Downtown residents pay additional taxes to fund the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Check out the February 2025 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]

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].  

BECOME A FOUNDING DONOR OF THE DNA

Thank you John Rothberg for your 2025 commitment to the DNA!  The DNA recognizes the special generosity of Founding Donors. These donors enable our organization to plan and execute activities that enrich our cultural experience, foster camaraderie and advance our downtown’s unique character. In appreciation, the DNA recognizes each Founding Donor, by name and by level, on the DNA’s website. Check out all our Founding Donors!

COMINGS AND GOINGS 

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

1) After less than 4 months, it appears Bacon B🌴tch has closed at 330 Clematis St. 

2) Just one block west at the former home of Dalmoro's Pasta To Go at 400 Clematis St, a new eatery called Master Griill Mediterranean featuring "authentic healthy kabobs and tapas" is "coming soon". The company was just established as an LLC on February 4.

3) A new bagel 🥯 shop is coming to CityPlace. Pop-up Bagels, originating in Westport CT & winner of Brooklyn Bagelfest Best Bagel 2 yrs in a row, is scheduled to open in the fall. The location has not yet been revealed.

4) NYU Langone Health - Just a few blocks SW of the Clematis location, at the SE corner of Datura & Dixie Highway, construction has started on the old Atrium site. "The state-of-the-art, eight-story, 77,000-square-foot facility will have space for 50 physicians and serve 150,000 patients annually, allowing NYU Langone to dramatically increase the scope of care it provides in the region" according to their website. The current opening date is Winter 2026.

4) Despite a reported $24K impact fee imposed by PB County mentioned in our JAN e-newsletter, gourmet dessert shop Just Baked from Boca had it's Grand Opening @ 211 S Narcissus at the base of The Strand Condominium in downtown WPB.

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.