Boynton Beach Insider

Cheers to ringing in a New Year! The New Year for the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency BBCRA) means a new season for redevelopment, an exciting year of business development programs, and celebrating development projects nearing completion. 

Before we embrace what the year 2020 will bring, we want to look back and celebrate what the year 2019 brought in redevelopment to the Heart of Boynton District.

A: On August 8, 2019, the BBCRA along with the City of Boynton Beach celebrated the incredible transformation of N.W. 11^th Avenue. This roadway improvement project has been in motion since land acquisitions began in 2012. Located within the Poinciana Gardens neighborhood between N.W. 10^th and N.W. 11^th Avenues, the roadway allows for better access for Poinciana Elementary as well as the new homes under construction as part of the Model Block Project. The Model Block Project has been an ongoing partnership between the City of Boynton Beach, BBCRA, the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC and Habitat of Humanity of South Palm Beach County. The BBCRA transferred properties owned to the City of Boynton Beach to facilitate the construction of 10 new homes along N.W. 11^th Avenue. By the end of 2019, Habitat for Humanity and the Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC have begun construction on three of the ten homes.  

B: Just south of the Model Block Project, Sara Sims Park, located at 209 N.W. 9^th Court, went through an incredible $1.5 million dollar renovation bringing new life to the open space. The BBCRA contributed $750,000 towards the project which was completed in September 2019.  As a result of the renovations, the following amenities were added: 3 small pavilions, one large pavilion, an amphitheater, new restroom, new walkways/fitness path, cell phone charging station, security cameras, decorative fencing, lighting, benches, new parking and new landscaping and irrigation throughout.

C: On November 5, 2019, the BBCRA transferred CRA owned properties to Centennial Management Corporation (CMC) for the redevelopment of vacant parcels located along MLK Jr. Boulevard Corridor. On November 7, 2019, CMC submitted an application for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. In their application, CMC’s project consists of 124 affordable multi-family rental apartments, 7,000 square feet of retail space, 3,250 square feet of covered commercial open space, leasing office-clubhouse, as well as future home-ownership opportunities. As this proposed project progresses, the BBCRA and CMC development team are committed to revitalizing the corridor using the vibrant culture of the Heart of Boynton as inspiration.

D: On November 9, 2019 the BBCRA along with the City of Boynton Beach and Centennial Management Corporation celebrated the ground breaking of the Ocean Breeze East Project located at 700 N. Seacrest Avenue. The key to this project’s success was CMC’s experience and ability to apply for and be awarded project funding of approximately $2.07 million in annual funding for ten year from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and its 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. The CRA assisted financially by selling the land at below appraised value and partnering with the City of Boynton Beach to provide $567,500 as a local government funding match. The collaboration between the BBCRA, the City and CMC will provide the community with 123 new affordable rental units, recreational amenities, upgraded landscaping and 990 square feet of flex space. The project’s expected completion is early 2021.