Lake Worth CRA & City of Lake Worth Receive 2 State-Wide Awards for Redevelopment Projects

Lake Worth, FL; November 8th, 2018 - The City of Lake Worth and the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are proud to announce that two new redevelopment projects, the Royal Poinciana Trail at 5th Ave. South and the new Shops at Downtown Lake Worth, were awarded the 2018 winners of the best new Transportation/ Transit Enhancement and Outstanding New Building categories in the annual Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Awards. The CRA is incredibly thankful for this honor and appreciate everyone whose dedication and hard work made this possible.

Each year, FRA accepts entries for the annual awards from its members in a variety of categories, ranging from outstanding housing project to cultural enhancement. The entries are examined for effectiveness and completeness - including the narrative, supplemental material and compliance with the submittal instructions. A cross section of Florida redevelopment professionals, individuals and business organizations judge and rank all of the entries and select the winners.

The Royal Poinciana Trail at 5th Ave. South

Originally envisioned in 2012 by Mayor Pam Triolo and Palm Beach County School Board Member Erica Whitfield, The Royal Poinciana Trail is the newest non-motorized, shared use pathway in Lake Worth. This 1,500' linear pathway, which was completed in February 2018, winds through one of the most economically distressed areas of the City. The project resulted in one of the most attractive linear greenspaces within the City. Primarily funded with grant dollars from FDOT, this Project was completed on-time and under budget. By taking a former unimproved right-of-way and turning it into the beautiful Royal Poinciana Trail, the CRA and City were able to accomplish a magnificent transformation of formerly blighted conditions and provide a safe route for children and residents to get through their neighborhood without a motorized vehicle.

Shops at Downtown Lake Worth

By accepting a bank-foreclosed property that had been vacant for twelve years and working with a private developer, the CRA was able to help assemble a large parcel of land near downtown, generate jobs, create 10,000 square feet of retail space, spur development in an area that sat idle for over a decade and create a harmonious transition from the downtown to the new Lake Worth Arts District. In 2017, development began on a retail shopping center that would eventually house a new Starbucks with a drive-thru facility, a T-Mobile store, an urgent care medical office and a nail salon. The grand openings for the Shops at Downtown took place in June 2018 and created approximately 55 jobs.

CRA's and other economic development organizations exist to promote the improvement of downtowns and neighborhoods through redevelopment efforts. These organizations are overseen by appointed and/or elected members of the community. CRA's have certain powers that cities may not have, including establishing tax increment financing and leveraging public funds with private dollars. Working alongside and in partnership with our municipalities, CRA's are able to accomplish great achievements.

"The Board and Staff of the Lake Worth CRA are extremely proud to be recognized by the Florida Redevelopment Association for our work. Both were multi-year projects that required a good deal of communication and coordination. We are grateful to be acknowledged for our on-going efforts. It is a very exciting time in the City of Lake Worth as there are many new, exciting projects in the planning stages or underway in the CRA District." said Madlyn McKendry, Chair of the Lake Worth CRA.

For more information on these projects or for any CRA related questions, please call (561) 493-2550 or visit: www.lakeworthcra.org