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FALL 2021

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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1

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THE PIRATES ARE COMING FOR HALLOWEEN!

Long ago in 1898, on a dark and stormy night the crew of the Lofthus wrecked their ship off the coast of Boynton Beach. While the crewman laid dormant for over 100 years, something from the deep blue sea awakened them from their dreary slumber. With ghostly chimes and malevolent intent, the ghastly clad pirates arose and came ashore to pillage and plunder the city’s streets.

Legend has it that every October, the sirens of the sea begin to call out and thousands of unsuspecting swashbucklers are lured to downtown Boynton Beach for what has become known as the Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash.

As the pirates prepare for their 10th annual invasion, the area surrounding 100 East Ocean Avenue, and the full stretch of the avenue between Seacrest Boulevard and Federal Highway, is miraculously transformed into Hobb’s Cove, a shanty town reminiscent of the Renaissance era with wooden pirate ships, armored encampments, authentic cannons, and an enchanted market that features unique craftsman vying for revelers to spend their booty on antiquated treasures. Alluring melodies ring out from Merlandia, where the spirits of the dark sirens draw upon the curious nature of the townspeople, welcoming all to meet and greet with the beautifully enchanting mermaids.

The scuttlebutt has it that this year the pirates and a variety of mythical creatures will invade Boynton Beach Halloween weekend, October 30th and October 31st, from 11 AM to 8 PM each day. All brave and curious revelers are invited to attend this free, family-friendly event.

Festival attendees should come prepared and ready to enjoy a plethora of continuous entertainment and interactive activities, including: Live music performances, stunt shows, comedy and magic acts, dancing, children’s activities, and a treasure hunt that will put them in direct contact with local businesses that are selling their wares. All guests who participate in the treasure hunt will be entered into a drawing to win a treasure chest filled with gift certificates and vouchers to local businesses.

Come immerse yourself into the charming and adventurous world of mermaids and pirates where lively music will fill the streets, dangerous stunt shows will shock and awe, a variety of libations and sustenance will please the palate, and youngsters will be amused by the magic and mayhem of it all! Townsman and ladies dressed should come dressed in their finest costumes for a chance to collect some pirate booty.

Dig up more information about the free festival at bbpiratefest.com or by clicking the button below.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thuy Shutt Named Executive Director

The BBCRA is excited to announce Thuy (Twee) T. Shutt as its new Executive Director! Thuy joined the BBCRA staff in July 2017, as the Assistant Director and was promoted to the position of Executive Director in September 2021.

Thuy is a licensed architect and certified FRA Redevelopment Administrator with more than 29 years of professional experience in the public and private sectors. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of economic development, planning, design, real estate, and redevelopment.

Thuy is passionate about the Boynton Beach community and supporting its local businesses. You can often see her at all Boynton Beach CRA events, getting a workout at the Zoo Health Club, or taking flight at Fly and Flow Fitness in Downtown Boynton Beach. An enthusiastic foodie, she is the go-to person for any new eateries opening in the BBCRA Area and can whip up an authentic bowl of “Crock-Pot pho” from a family recipe without hesitation. 

We are thrilled to have her as the leader of the BBCRA Team and excited for the future of redevelopment in Boynton Beach. Learn more about Thuy’s professional qualifications by clicking the button below.

The BBCRA Looks Forward to a New Fiscal Year

The BBCRA is proud to announce the approval of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget. The BBCRA is funded through tax increment revenues. Properties located within the BBCRA boundaries do NOT pay any additional property taxes; rather, a portion of the annual City and County taxes collected in the redevelopment area is transferred to the CRA for redevelopment activities. The greater the increase in taxable property values over the BBCRA’s base year (1982), the larger the incremental increase in revenue transferred to the BBCRA. Other sources of funding for redevelopment activities include the issuance of taxable and nontaxable bonds. The BBCRA Fiscal Year begins on October 1st.

The BBCRA Received SUNsational Award

In August, the Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) announced the winners of its annual SUNsational Awards. The program recognizes members’ innovation, individuality, and creative collaboration.

The BBCRA is thrilled to share that the agency was awarded 1st Place in the category of Community Engagement Response to Pandemic for the Bon Appetit Boynton Beach Campaign that was promoted last winter to promote five local restaurants located within the BBCRA area.

REDEVELOPMENT

FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROJECT

The property located at 115 N. Federal Highway has long been recognized as an important component in the future redevelopment of the downtown core. The site is located within the Downtown District, lies within the Central Business District zoning category as well as the Transit Oriented Development area, has a Mixed-Use High land use designation, and is adjacent to the future location of the region’s commuter rail line.

The BBCRA has issued a Request for Proposals and Developer Qualifications (RFP/RFQ) for the redevelopment of CRA-owned parcels within this site. The submission deadline is October 19, 2021, 2:00 PM.

Respondents to the RFP/RFQ will make presentations to the BBCRA Board for their consideration at a special meeting on November 30, 2021, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Commission Chambers. Presentations will include developers’ past history and experience, as well as conceptual site plans for the properties, and their financial capability to complete the project. 

It is anticipated that the BBCRA Board will select a developer for the project by Spring 2022.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD. CORRIDOR PROJECT

One of the most significant projects that will be occurring during the upcoming year is the highly anticipated Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Redevelopment Project (118 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard). This $34 Million project is expected to break-ground within the coming year and consists of 124 affordable multi-family rental units as well as 8,250 square feet of leasable neighborhood serving commercial space.

The project’s developer received funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funding Program. The BBCRA has budgeted approximately $2,025,815 in funding to assist with the construction and leasing of the commercial component of the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed within 12 months of groundbreaking and the project will serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the corridor.

COTTAGE DISTRICT PROJECT

The 4.6 acre vacant BBCRA-owned site is located between N.E. 4th and N.E. 5th Avenues and N. Seacrest Boulevard and N.E. 1st Street, lies within the BBCRA’s Heart of Boynton District boundaries, and is identified in the BBCRA 2016 Community Redevelopment Plan as a priority site for the construction of for-sale single-family homes.

The BBCRA issued a Request for Proposals/Request for Developer Qualifications in August 2020 and will be executing a Purchase & Development Agreement with Azur Equities, LLC in the next couple of months. Completion of the 40 owner-occupied affordable and workforce housing units is anticipated to occur within four years.

#HitTheBiz

STUDIO GLO SALON & SPA

The inspiration behind Studio Glo Salon & Spa can be traced back 20 years to when salon owner, Jasmine Edwards, was a child and spent time in a salon with her grandmother Gloria who was a cosmetologist. Throughout her adolescent years, Jasmine learned to do her own hair and realized her passion to work in the field of beauty services. Earlier this year, Jasmine fulfilled her goal of opening a salon which she named after her grandmother. 

Jasmine, a licensed esthetician and permanent make-up artist, has assembled a talented team of barbers, lash technicians, make-up artists, and braiders for the Studio Glo Salon & Spa located at 413 S. Federal Highway. The black-owned salon offers a variety of extended beauty services such as facials, brow tinting, and body contouring treatments. To find out more information on their services or to book a consultation visit their website at www.studioglosalonandspa.com or call 561-597-1497.

The Boynton Beach CRA is proud to welcome Studio Glo to our small business community! Studio Glo is the recipient of the BBCRA’s Commercial Rent Reimbursement Grant Program and receives 50% matching rent reimbursement for their first year of business totaling $13,200. 

500 OCEAN CAFE

WAVE MAX LAUNDRY MAT

Whether you’re on the way to the office, dashing between meetings, or looking to sit down and unwind 500 Ocean Café is there to help you seize the day!

Located at 510 E. Ocean Avenue on the southeast corner of East Ocean Avenue and Federal Highway, 500 Ocean Café offers a vibrant yet warm atmosphere, with a delicious variety of high-quality coffee, teas, beverages, sandwiches, and dessert. The café’s friendly staff takes great pleasure in welcoming all guests and creating a perfect cup of coffee. Their mission is, “to inspire and nurture each individual who wants to be love – one perfect cup of coffee that can keep the spirit going all day, and we do it one person at a time”.

Join us in welcoming 500 Ocean Café to Downtown Boynton Beach by stopping in today to pick-up a beverage or quick bite to eat. For more information, click below.

SOLEIL LEARNING ACADEMY

WAVE MAX LAUNDRY MAT

For many parents, the first day they drop-off their baby at a day care facility can be a very emotional experience. Having a loving, supportive, and truly caring childcare team to see you through this tough transition can make all the difference. Soleil Early Learning Academy makes it their mission to provide a place where children can learn and grow through a variety of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual activities, while keeping parents informed and updated throughout the day with fun photos and videos.

What started as a home childcare business in 2015, for owners Cristine and Amaury, quickly grew into the first childcare facility located at 201 SW 23rd Avenue. Due to the success and high demand for quality childcare, Soleil Early Learning Academy expanded to a second location within the BBCRA area located at 202 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard. Soleil is now enrolling infants through 4-year-old VPK. For more information on childcare availability and rates, visit their website at www.soleilearlylearningacademy.com or call 561-536-6737.

Soleil Early Learning Academy is a participant of the BBCRA’s Economic Development Grant Programs and will receive 50% matching reimbursable funding totaling $40,000 to offset expenses associated with their first year of rent and property improvements. 

AMAR BAKERY

Artsea Living

The BBCRA is proud to welcome Amar Bakery and Market to Ocean Palm Plaza at 1550 North Federal Highway!

Amar Bakery is the extension of the successful Amar Mediterranean Bistro in Downtown Delray Beach. This fast-casual establishment features Mediterranean-meets-Middle-East fare, from sweet offerings like Za’atar croissants, baklava cheesecake, and fig/pistachio cake to savory menu items such as falafel wraps, hummus, baba ghanouj, and stuffed grape leaves.

The bakery is located in the previous location of Del Sol Bakery, and offers some of the previous bakery’s classics such as croissants, baguettes, and breakfast items. They also offer a variety of vegan baked goods and coffee from Pumphouse Coffee Roaster. According to the owner, Susanna, “The name Amar has two meanings for us. Amar means ‘the moon’ in Arabic and also means ‘to love’ in Spanish. We wanted a name with a meaning in both languages.”

Visit Amar Bakery and Market daily from 7:30AM to 2:30PM. For more information, click below.

BOYNTON HARBOR MARINA

Boynton Harbor Marina

The Boynton Harbor Marina offers dockage for short term, transient customers.

Located just south of West Palm Beach and north of Fort Lauderdale, the Boynton Harbor Marina is the perfect place to stay while traveling in the area. Spend the day enjoying waterfront dining, exploring downtown Boynton Beach, or relaxing on your boat.

The marina features a variety of commercial tenants including fishing charters, drift fishing, scuba diving charters, jet-ski rentals, boat rentals, and parasailing. Dine at one of three full-service restaurants located on premise, or take a short walk to Downtown Boynton Beach for additional dining options.

The marina is located ½ mile south of the Boynton Inlet, which allows for easy access to the ocean. It is the perfect spot for boaters looking to fill-up on fuel, restock on boating essentials, or utilize clean restrooms.

Click the button below for more information about transient dockage availability at the Boynton Harbor Marina.

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH PROGRAM (SMOP)

BUSINESS PROMOTIONS & EVENTS

BOYNTON BEACH HAUNTED PIRATE FEST & MERMAID SPLASH

Spred the Dub Band
Spred the Dub Band
Spred the Dub Band

We are looking for some brave souls to assist us at the 10th Annual Boynton Beach Haunted Pirate Fest & Mermaid Splash on October 30th and 31st!

We are working on making this event our most successful yet, but absolutely cannot do it without a team of volunteers.

Volunteering for the festival is a great opportunity to have fun and work behind-the-scenes at one of the largest events in Boynton Beach.

We have many different volunteer opportunities available, such as: Working in the information or vendor relations booths, assisting in the kid zones, or helping event patrons complete feedback surveys. 

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering during the event, click the button below to download the vendor application.

BOYNTON BEACH

HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE

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OCTOBER

CRA BOARD MEETING

October 12th @ 5:30 PM – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

BOYNTON BEACH HAUNTED PIRATE FEST & MERMAID SPLASH

October 30th & October 31st

11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

100 E. Ocean Avenue

NOVEMBER

CRA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

November 4th @ 5:30 PM – IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

 CRA BOARD MEETING

November 9th @ 5:30 PM – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

 SPECIAL RFP MEETING

November 30th @ 5:30 PM – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

DECEMBER

CRA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

December 2nd @ 6:30 PM – IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

BOYNTON BEACH HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE

December 10th

TIME TBA

735 Casa Loma Boulevard

 CRA BOARD MEETING

December 14th @ 5:30 PM – VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON MEETING

100 E. Ocean Avenue

Any changes regarding the location of the CRA Board Meetings will be communicated via social media and on the BBCRA website.

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Questions? Contact us today 561-600-9097

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