West Palm Beach to close downtown streets each Saturday as Green Market resumes

The City of West Palm Beach will prohibit vehicular traffic on several downtown streets each Saturday beginning Jan. 11, 2025, to increase safety at the Green Market and the Antique and Flea Market, city media said.

The changes affect North and South Flagler Drive between Banyan Boulevard and Dettura Street; South Dixie Highway (U.S. 1) from Banyan Boulevard to Dettura Street; North and South Olive Avenue from Banyan Boulevard to Dettura Street; and North and South Narcissus Avenue from Banyan Boulevard to Dettura Street. Closures begin at 5 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. on Saturdays when the markets operate.

Jerry Marcello, host of the City Center podcast produced by the City of West Palm Beach Communications Department, said, "The city of West Palm Beach is taking immediate measures to increase public safety and security at the nationally celebrated green market affected Saturday, January 11th, 2025." The city’s announcement applies to the regular Green Market and the adjacent Antique and Flea Market.

Parking in the downtown area will not be affected for off-street lots, Marcello said. The Banyan Boulevard Garage and the City Center Garage will continue to allow free parking during Green Market and Antique & Flea Market hours, but only the Banyan Boulevard entrances to those two garages will be open. Access from South Dixie Highway to the garages will be closed. The Clematis Street Garage, located just west of Quadrille Boulevard, is not affected by the enhanced security measures.

The city characterized the closures as recurring for market days; officials said the vehicular closings are "effective each Saturday of the Green Market and Antique Flea Market from 5 AM through 4 PM." For the full list of closures and updates, the city directs residents to the news section of the official website at wpb.org.

Details such as enforcement approach, temporary signage or detour routes were not specified in the podcast announcement.