Commission approves transfer and $350,000 for rehab of 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to local sickle cell foundation

The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance and companion resolution to convey city-owned property at 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard to the Sickle Cell Foundation of the Palm Beaches and to move $350,000 from the city’s real estate management fund reserves toward rehabilitating the building.

The move, approved during a public hearing and second reading, intends to transfer ownership to the nonprofit and provide seed funding for repairs and rehabilitation. The commission passed Ordinance No. 5129-25 and Resolution No. 109-25F on a unanimous vote.

Jennifer Ferriero, the city’s housing and community development director, told the commission the item had been presented previously at the April 28 meeting and that there were no changes to what was proposed. During the meeting Commissioner Warren publicly recused himself from the discussion and vote on the item because he is an employee of the Sickle Cell Foundation; he returned to the dais after the vote.

The ordinance authorizes execution of a conveyance agreement and ancillary documents to effect the transfer. The resolution specifies the budget action to move $350,000 in Real Estate Management Fund reserves to support rehabilitation of the property at 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

No additional conditions or amendments were placed on the transfer during the vote. The ordinance and resolution passed unanimously.

City staff said they would complete the conveyance documents and move forward with the rehabilitation process in coordination with the foundation.

The commission did not set a separate timetable for completion of rehabilitation during the hearing; funding and conveyance steps were the formal actions recorded at the meeting.