[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6009606,"mediaKeyId","5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77","parentId",5810194,"title","West Palm Beach Center for Arts and Technology seeks CRA support as it moves to 819 Sapodilla","audioSeconds",359,"startMs",42000,"endMs",401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77&start=42&end=401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77/thumbnail_42000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6009606/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/West-Palm-Beach-Center-for-Arts-and-Technology-seeks-CRA-support-as-it-moves-to-819-Sapodilla","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6009606-bb0ad0a0cea10ebcb25a8469749a4c3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167420&Signature=RKla-7aDK2nYxKfpaRGBdmje61~bJkNqrbBXlXJcjJfBkRXDomBtIVKugouzS~mJKYiOnAom1Uq-KQVvZNw9EaM-LxiUzdiQEdOkm3O73GxaRE7Fc50aEIwhGCJZENivaRCVvPv782LmOTggdPGUij9~GG-VP1PNNkNgDRowkSjY~KNsqN1by8o7oJjCpuDITs4V22eXNmfhi9IJHODoGPiDhjBatPi5FYBupNRYydY9fi7qbBDCJqVsQqhW76YvUccCkCDKwxbL8rpa1GKINwEjzQ14C6qsKPqHQNHaeI~n1eBRWH3SS0CKZkorzVWnc6GJ6hqTwUT6LzcKd~AywA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Palm Beach","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","Claudia Kirk Bartow, executive director of the West Palm Beach Center for Arts and Technology, addressed the CRA during public comment on Aug. 4, 2025, to announce the nonprofit's move to a new facility at 819 Sapodilla and to request inclusion in CRA or city budget support.

Bartow described WPB CAT's mission and partners: \"Our mission is to inspire, motivate, prepare youth, and adults for meaningful careers through innovative arts and technology programs,\" she said. She told the board WPB CAT currently supports about 100 high school students annually through partnerships with Youth Empowered to Prosper and the school district and said the center also runs adult workforce training in culinary arts, hospitality, construction, medical fields and technology.

Nut graf: Bartow asked the CRA and city to consider funding as the nonprofit scales programming at its new Sapodilla facility, and she listed community partners and proposed employer partners the center is already working with.

Bartow said WPB CAT will launch a tech-empowerment program with two minority-owned businesses, Nerd Alert and Tech Hustle, and is working with Recipes for Success, the Palm Beach County Chefs Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, and potentially Habitat for Humanity on training and placement. \"We are actively seeking funding,\" she said, and asked the board to consider \"supporting 1 student, 1 job, and 1 success story at a time.\"

Ending: Bartow closed by thanking the board and noting WPB CAT is a finalist in a Black Chamber of Commerce people'choice award; she provided contact information and encouraged commissioners to reach out for more details on program needs and budget requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CRA Meeting | August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Claudia Kirk Bartow, executive director of the West Palm Beach Center for Arts and Technology, urged the CRA and city to consider funding as the nonprofit opens a new facility at 819 Sapodilla to provide workforce and youth training programs.","taxTitle","West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",4250,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6009611,"CRA authorizes $7.73 million transfer to buy mobile anti-vehicle barricades to harden events",2644,3268000,5912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77&start=3268&end=5912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77/thumbnail_3268000.jpg","/articles/6009611/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/CRA-authorizes-773-million-transfer-to-buy-mobile-anti-vehicle-barricades-to-harden-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6009611-4b75cc5705d5bb1ecca428469c6bf94a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167420&Signature=Tfs7-D2pap0XfENCzAxn1aNm-6yvrPnWnFk3VIca05D5~KT0-QPgAgnil1vpEPWmKH0Yb6AZwUznGLimRp50tSN9BGPHHxk0TAmMobRh7qtfrrHBVPscb5kApTl5uNSUQXDED3unP4xwK4qiNqUpYrZfo0CBdtWEcwG0-QdZgvrVZWpy-X1a9JeYgDyr~MFvRZuaYQnaxUJZQih2HbTwg~vxkclK4wM1ExpBQqmhxw1zzra8ZhsUxVQgUZ57jIVNuh4Gjocuylm9B~-FIAdwRRGb-dRFYby5bphHAIT9YcDFyrdmXvNnYR0dgPYhYTu45cas~01YMoba6WfAoiW-BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously on Aug. 4, 2025, to transfer $7,730,000 to the West Palm Beach Police Department to purchase mobile anti-vehicle barricades, according to Resolution 25-32F.

Carlos Rodriguez, the CRA security manager, described the procurement as a preventative public-safety investment designed to protect crowds at frequently held downtown events. \"We're taking a preventative approach to try to mitigate any of these incidents from happening here,\" Rodriguez said during the presentation.

Lieutenant Hagen of the West Palm Beach Police Department told the board the city borrows barricades from other counties for large events and that owning a set would reduce that operational friction. He described the barriers as modular, quick to deploy and used by other municipalities and agencies; the purchase would make equipment available for roughly 220 days of road closures the DDA and city expect in a given year. \"Protecting the people who are coming to these events are paramount, and that's what these barricades will help do,\" Lt. Hagen said.

Nut graf: The resolution authorizes a CRA-to-Police Department transfer to buy modular vehicle-stopping barricades; deputies and commissioners said the equipment will let the city harden event footprints quickly, reduce borrowing and support a proactive event-management model. Staff said special-events rules will be updated so non-city events that require road closures also follow deployment procedures and cover associated costs.

Commissioners raised operational questions. Commissioner Ward asked whether non-city sanctioned events would be expected to use the barricades and whether cost recovery would apply; staff said special-events and permitting staff are developing rules to require the barricades and to recover deployment costs for privately run events. Commissioner Badoozzi asked staff to ensure training and placement protocols accompany the purchase; staff agreed that appropriate training and deployment planning are part of implementation.

The board then moved and seconded the resolution; the motion passed unanimously. The resolution number in the agenda was shown as 25-32F and staff recommended transferring the funds to the police department to buy the equipment.

Ending: Staff will return with contract and deployment details and with any special-events permitting rules that align private-event use with the new equipment and staffing requirements.","The CRA approved a resolution to transfer $7,730,000 to the West Palm Beach Police Department for mobile anti-vehicle barricades; staff said the units are modular, reusable and intended to speed deployment and reduce reliance on borrowed equipment for frequent downtown road closures.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6009616,"Downtown Development Authority to focus DDA budget on clean-and-safe and public-realm programs",829,3895000,4724000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77&start=3895&end=4724","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77/thumbnail_3895000.jpg","/articles/6009616/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Downtown-Development-Authority-to-focus-DDA-budget-on-clean-and-safe-and-public-realm-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6009616-c34a528c633c7466e2ca7dcafef3c5d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167420&Signature=mNSQo~dAzSb3fxQDcktk6AAFxQsT7-F~OxTsHtY5AqJACdNsfVFSvqZ3POvvw01VzrkNeTr27gwxFk06YO3MFUYxhX4bgX-LUmb0PgnzJsLla0YEskmRNOKF0Slxbk7ozzrskzDKqa041M3CAkjwC1pWFboy5xv0MS2BPV4968nFesX53gA7b-308bLpo-y3Z4Lr6l8bDP-q1KQVNijtg70xt1dj7gqvfjpKn6auqtpqXG3YOQHKgRB8SVyE4c-N8cN-oVEGJ9hc9BH~TXv633d0pt3~gXzsoY0jRPcOJW3tw76FeA4GloOdFfWoblaw2uQDydE5vFB4tXh4XsACjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tanika James Faiman, executive director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, presented the DDA's proposed 2025'26 budget and priorities to the CRA and city commission on Aug. 4, 2025. The DDA said it will emphasize public-realm maintenance, safety and ambassador services while continuing business incentives and cultural programming.

James said the DDA's recent residential and business surveys showed \"clean and safe was a top priority\" and that the DDA will allocate most of its spending to public-realm and district services. \"Sixty-five percent of our budget is focused on clean and safe programs between public realm and district services,\" she said.

Nut graf: The DDA proposal seeks to add six ambassador positions (two-person teams) to increase on-the-street presence, expand pressure washing and landscape maintenance, and maintain incentive programs while trimming professional-services and marketing lines now that several surveys and studies have been completed.

James provided a revenue and timeline overview and described the DDA's operating rhythm: draft budget development in May'June, board review and city/CRA coordination, final adoption in September, and TIF reconciliation after the tax-collection cycle. Her slides showed a projected year-over-year revenue increase in the mid single digits and a total proposed DDA expenditure of about $11 million for the coming fiscal year, with roughly $1.2 million in personnel costs.

She described several performance highlights from the DDA's recent work: more than 4,500 participants in 55 placemaking programs; regular ambassador condominium check-ins and business outreach; and a shift toward TV and digital advertising based on survey feedback. James also said the DDA has contracted with a single vendor (Block by Block) for consolidated ambassador and clean-team services.

Commissioners asked for clarification about incentives and Clematis Street tenancy. James said many Clover-area improvements and leasehold upgrades already are in place and that the DDA will prioritize side-street activation and business incentives for leasehold work that remains out of code or in need of upgrades.

Ending: The DDA asked the CRA board to note the presentation; the DDA's final budget will go to the DDA board for adoption in September and return for any interlocal approvals as required.","The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority presented its fiscal 2025'26 priorities to the CRA board, proposing added ambassadors and expanded clean-and-safe services while modestly reducing some marketing and study budgets.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6009621,"West Palm Beach CRA unveils 2025–26 strategic finance plan, highlights Curry Park, Northwood and downtown projects",4999,417000,5416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77&start=417&end=5416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5810194-14fe99b01d89b0bce366eedb7642cf77/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6009621/West-Palm-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/West-Palm-Beach-CRA-unveils-202526-strategic-finance-plan-highlights-Curry-Park-Northwood-and-downtown-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6009621-33df378f2f89a9be4ca77a8911c96453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167420&Signature=ghI4-y8PT94zvsMeVHbbVLBeu7XIjhvgWkOgrhs3NjyUyMalMDsHyERUPTd24xsGejef8HSt-I~4RHOQzt4UditZm45JgGb0LdJdzYf4JhFVbuPgfMNNz4SM-p9hP4XV-d~JR93-X2hgg1hI6dwo50gnY5jcE~sRLP2VPVyJLZx5yN-gEReKyiWEAxCXHmQ4l~CVWofSQQTXoOHpHZOiJnip0sqzz5ZFxyImJSq4nLJqYnkpVEvb2bvcn0Uu89huFrXpJx6moPDg1SEB9SrV4-W~OS5Bqo~k0OaQRcii0UqcpciuDSD-t7NZtt-eALKOvJkuRxQ~ZC3ZTg-r-gMGsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency presented its proposed strategic finance plan and budgets for the 2025'26 fiscal year for the Northwood'Pleasant City and Downtown City Center districts during a public meeting on Aug. 4, 2025. CRA Executive Director Chris Ruge and Deputy Director Jade Green walked the board through revenues, proposed expenditures and new programs ahead of a formal adoption scheduled for the CRA meeting in September.

The plan ties projects to state law and to the agency's goals of removing slum and blight through infrastructure, housing and property-value improvements. \"If it's not in the plan, we can't fund it, because the state statute is very specific in that regard,\" Ruge said during the presentation.

Nut graf: The proposal commits tax-increment revenues to a mix of large capital projects and smaller, targeted business programs. Major priorities named by staff include completing Curry Park, advancing the District at Northwood and The Spruce affordable housing project, downtown streetscape and infrastructure work, and a Fern Street crossing acquisition and design effort. Staff said the board will receive the formal adoption package in September and that the CRA cannot obligate funds outside the strategic finance plan required by Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III).

Staff described how the CRA is funded and how that revenue is allocated. Deputy Director Jade Green summarized the revenue picture for the Northwood'Pleasant City district as roughly $8.8 million in available resources for the year, composed primarily of tax-increment funds, carryforward balances and small rental and investment receipts. She told the board the city and county millage rates that apply to the increment are 8.13 and 4.5 mills respectively, a combined 12.63 mills, and illustrated how the increment on new value generates CRA funding.

Green laid out line items by target area for Northwood'Pleasant City: Curry Corridor (32% of the target-area budget), Northwood Village (about 28%) and Pleasant City (roughly 25%), plus a small industrial-park allocation for business outreach. Green called Curry Park the single biggest commitment in that district and said the CRA will continue placemaking and tenant-support work while the park construction continues.

Eric Schmidt, a CRA staff member, said the district has seen double-digit growth in tax increment values this year and that new construction added about $16 million in taxable value. \"The double-digit growth in the Northwood Pleasant City CRA is new relative to recent years,\" he said when asked for context on the growth.

In the Downtown City Center district, staff reported a substantially larger budget supported by carryforwards, bond proceeds and higher tax increment totals. Ruge and Green presented a preliminary revenue total for the downtown budget of roughly $117.5 million and described major ongoing investments: the Tamarin Avenue streetscape, waterfront and Clematis-area projects, transit operations inside the CRA footprint, and ongoing partnerships with the Downtown Development Authority.

Staff identified several new small-business programs that would be funded from incentive pools rather than from fixed line items: a creative-signage support grant, a sustainability (\"climate-smart\") grant, and a permitting-assistance program that would fund pre-submittal plan review to reduce re-submittals and speed permit review. Robbie (staff member, economic development) explained that the incentive approach provides flexibility: the CRA will maintain a pool of funds and allocate them through an application process. Staff said eligibility details and the application rules would be developed before the programs launch.

On specific downtown investments, staff pointed to planned work on the Fern Street crossing, where acquisition and design assistance were highlighted. Ruge said engineering requested $1.75 million to support design work on the crossing approaches while the board and staff pursue grant funding for the crossing itself.

Staff repeatedly emphasized that many projects are ongoing and that board action on individual projects will return as separate agenda items when contract or funding decisions are required. \"The board can expect a formal adoption of the material that was presented at the September CRA meeting,\" Ruge said.

Ending: The board paused for questions after the presentation; no budget resolution was adopted at the Aug. 4 meeting. Staff said formal adoption, detailed program rules, and specific project agreements will appear on future CRA agendas in September and thereafter.","City redevelopment staff presented the Community Redevelopment Agency's strategic finance plan and proposed 2025'26 budgets for the Northwood'Pleasant City and Downtown City Center districts, outlining revenue sources, new small-business grants, major capital priorities and a September adoption schedule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Palm Beach Center for Arts and Technology seeks CRA support as it moves to 819 Sapodilla

CRA authorizes $7.73 million transfer to buy mobile anti-vehicle barricades to harden events

Downtown Development Authority to focus DDA budget on clean-and-safe and public-realm programs

West Palm Beach CRA unveils 2025–26 strategic finance plan, highlights Curry Park, Northwood and downtown projects