Tag: Press Releases

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 23, 2024) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is making art accessible to all through Flamango Vending beginning on Feb. 29 at Clematis by Night. Artwork from more than 25 local artists will be available through Flamango Vending, a uniquely repurposed and redesigned snack vending machine hosted and curated by local 1909 entrepreneur Meghan McKenna. 

The available small-scale pieces of art and hand-made items will range in price up to $50 and will include prints, original artwork on canvas, textiles, art kits, accessories, jewelry, and much more.  

As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m., the public can take part in a Mallow Canvas community art making experience, where participants will create a one-of-a-kind mural using a giant marshmallow as the canvas in commemoration of opening day. Participants will be able to color the marshmallow canvas with edible markers, edible paint, stencils, and more. While the large canvas won’t be consumable, there will be edible mallow coloring kits available for purchase.   

After its debut at Clematis by Night, Flamango Vending will relocate to the Garden District Taproom courtyard and other public spaces throughout the year as a hidden gem of the Downtown district.    

“This is an opportunity for the public to support the local art community and take part in a unique experience when visiting Downtown West Palm Beach,” said Sherryl Muriente, public realm director for the DDA. “Our community is filled with creative individuals that curated these ideas to drive engagement and togetherness.” 

“Not only am I thrilled to see my vision of an art vending machine come to life, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase the talents of local creators, artists, and makers who deserve recognition,” said Meghan McKenna, creator of Flamango Vending. “I’ve had this idea for a while, inspired by my own unique vending experience, but I didn’t have the means to bring it to life. With the support of the DDA, Flamango Vending has become a reality.” 

Flamango Vending is part of a larger placemaking initiative by the DDA, with the goal of activating public spaces and engaging the public in contributing to the community’s health, happiness and wellbeing. Placemaking projects have already made a significant impact in Downtown West Palm Beach with efforts such as the Fern Street Chess Park, Trojan Rocking Horses, Que Bacano, Motivational Mondays, and more.  

For more information about the DDA, visit DowntownWPB.com or call 561-833-8873. 

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About the Downtown Development Authority 

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.   

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.   

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 17, 2024) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is bringing homegrown ideas to life in 2024. The DDA has selected four finalists out of 29 submissions in its search to fund unique ideas for placemaking experiences in Downtown West Palm Beach. Each finalist will receive up to $5,000 to support their project. The grants are funded through a partnership between the DDA and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.  

“This is an opportunity for the DDA to support community voices that bring new ideas and strengthen our connections in the outdoor spaces downtown,” said Sherryl Muriente, public realm director for the DDA. “Our community is filled with creative individuals that curated these ideas to drive engagement and togetherness.” 

The four placemaking ideas selected for funding include:  

• Flamango Vending – This project calls for the installation of an affordable art vending machine to debut on Leap Day, February 29th during the City of WPB Clematis by Night. The vending machine will lower the barrier of becoming an art collector and bring attention to 16 local Palm Beach County artists and their talents. Artwork will be available for purchase for pricing between $6-$40, making art accessible to all. This project is hosted and curated by Meghan McKenna, a local 1909 entrepreneur. 
• Kahani’s Outdoor Theater – This project brings the vibrant stories of historically marginalized communities to life through a compelling reader’s theater and the joy of inclusive critical literacy. It involves collaboration with local community members, from toddlers to seniors, to curate a powerful experience that reflects the richness of identities. Kahani’s Outdoor Theater format allows for a dynamic presentation, incorporating elements of storytelling, drama, and community engagement. Three outdoor readings and interactive theater plays will be hosted by Pranati “Pranoo” Kumar, owner of Rohi’s Readery, as an open workshop for everyone to enjoy at CityZen Garden on March 30, May 3, and July 20, 2024. 

• The Fantastical Walk – This project brings the community together to create a green parade of personal-sized paper mâché fantastical creatures inspired by Hispanic folklore tradition of sculpting colorful hybrid flora and fauna characters, which will be worn, pulled, or carried by individuals or groups of friends and families in a walk-through downtown. This interactive project aims to celebrate the diverse creative spirit of the community, while highlighting the importance of sustainability. It will include three workshops during the summertime with artist Mayling Pao to create floats by repurposing materials like found objects and recyclables, while engaging people together creatively. The Fantastical Walk will be held in October 2024. 
• The 2025 Lantern Festival – Focused on the Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake), this hands-on lantern making project, facilitated by local Palm Beach State College student Lanzhi Wang, will be a conduit for cultural education and creative expression, highlighting the significance of Asian heritage. The project includes a series of monthly workshops from October 2024 to January 2025 where participants will indulge in traditional paper cutting artwork, lantern making, and poetry to be exhibited in the 300 block of the Clematis St. alleyway during the festival while celebrating with traditional music, dance, and food from the Asian culture. 

The goal of placemaking is to activate public spaces and engage everyone in contributing to the community’s health, happiness and wellbeing. Placemaking projects have already made a significant impact in Downtown West Palm Beach with efforts such as the Fern Street Chess Park, Trojan Rocking Horses, Que Bacano, Motivational Mondays, and more.  

For more information about the DDA, visit DowntownWPB.com or call 561-833-8873. 

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About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.   

 For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.   

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2024) – Share the SunFest stage with a super star! With showstopping headliners Cole Swindell, Nelly and Third-Eye Blind confirmed for 2024 with more national talent to be announced at the end of the month, SunFest is inviting local bands and other performers to join the lineup for the festival’s 40th year along downtown West Palm Beach’s picturesque waterfront. Back again with three days of music and celebration, SunFest will run from May 3 through 5.

The summer-loving festival, known for its connection to the community, is partnering with local nonprofit 1909 to seek out Florida bands to play original material alongside national acts in 2024. Volunteers from the SunFest Entertainment Committee and 1909 will work together to assess applications and discover the best Fresh Local Artists in the Sunshine State. Sponsored by Florida Power and Light, over 700 bands apply each year for a chance to perform at the iconic venue. Florida musicians can apply to perform original compositions alongside nationally acclaimed acts in the 2024 lineup by applying at www.sunfest.com/how-to-perform. The deadline for submission is January 19, 2024.

“We believe our hometown talent has contributed heavily to the value of our beloved, growing community,” said Danielle Casey, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of 1909. “We’ve watched local bands play on these stages and then get offered to join regional and national tours. We’re so grateful to once again be able to provide this incredible opportunity.”

The Fresh Local Artists selected will have the opportunity to perform at SunFest 2024 and a few lucky musicians could open for prominent evening entertainers. All South Florida including the Treasure Coast native bands will be considered.

“This application is also for groups seeking to perform on our new Community Stage, with 20 spots available across categories like dance, vocal, performance art and bands,” said Executive Director Dianna Craven. “Additionally, there are eight spots open on the Ford and Ideal Nutrition Stages, welcoming a diverse range of Fresh Local Artists. It’s really special for us to provide a platform for these local artists to do what they’re passionate about and celebrate our community on this 40^th anniversary milestone.”

To apply or learn more about being a featured local performer, please visit www.SunFest.com/how-to-perform. For more information about SunFest 2024 or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.SunFest.com or email [email protected].

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 31, 2023) – In order to keep up with record demand and provide a reliable, high-quality customer experience, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) today announced changes to its sponsorship of the Circuit rideshare program. Beginning Nov. 6, 2023, any Circuit ride booked within the Ride Circuit app and initiating or terminating outside the borders of the City of West Palm Beach will incur a fee of $4.00 plus $1.00 for each additional passenger.  Revenue from fees will be reinvested back into the program.

“The rideshare service has been incredibly popular in moving people in and around downtown, and that popularity has brought longer wait times for passengers,” said Raphael Clemente, executive director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. “Adding these low fees will help us improve the reliability that riders have come to expect from this service.”

The DDA’s sponsorship of the rideshare program was launched in October 2021, and the response has been tremendous. The Circuit program has completed over 250,000 trips, with its highest ridership ever in September 2023, with 19,111 passengers. This is a 176% increase in ridership over September 2022.  In addition to the increased ridership, the service has created over 25 local jobs and helps reduce approximately 15 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each month.

Rides can be scheduled through the Ride Circuit app available at ridecircuit.com. The service is available 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

The Circuit shuttle uses 100-percent electric vehicles, promoting better air quality while offering a first-mile/last-mile transportation option that is convenient, easy to use, and reduces congestion. Gratuities for Circuit drivers are appreciated but never required.

The Circuit rideshare program is just one of the many DDA initiatives aimed at improving downtown life and supporting downtown businesses. Other programs include the Downtown Clean Team, the Security Ambassadors, a homeless outreach program, and marketing and public relations support.

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.  For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.

WHAT:  On National Chess Day, Saturday, October 14, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority invites the community to celebrate the first anniversary of the Fern Street Chess Park, a fun, outdoor community space with chess tables and chairs in a centrally located park full of shade. For this event, players can test their skill in a Swiss-system 5-minute speed chess tournament. A variety of other games will also be available for play.

There will be live music and complimentary bites provided by Meraki Juice Kitchen and Johan’s Joe Swedish Restaurant.

Located at 402 S. Dixie Highway, the Chess Park is open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset, for all ages and skill levels and is the first established chess park in Palm Beach County. Chess sets are provided, and players are encouraged to bring their own timer.

The Fern Street Chess Park has become the hub of the local chess community bringing together a diverse group of players from all age groups. The park was featured as a cover story in American Chess Magazine.

For further information, please visit DowntownWPB.com/ChessPark.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 14  |  5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:  402 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

Media contact:
Tony Theissen
rbb Communications
[email protected]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 20, 2023) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority is launching a new effort to address community concerns about individuals struggling with homelessness and mental health on the streets of Downtown West Palm Beach. This six-month pilot project will redirect funding and staffing from the DDA’s Ambassador Program to increase the presence of special duty West Palm Beach police officers throughout Downtown.

“As the downtown core continues to grow, its’s important that we continue to provide an environment where our residents, workforce and visitors can feel comfortable,” said Raphael Clemente, executive director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. “At the same time, we recognize there are those in the community who may be going through challenges, and we want to also respect that.  We’re hopeful this project will accomplish our goal of allowing downtown to be a vibrant center while showing compassion and finding solutions for those in need.”

Beginning on October 1, 2023, the number of hours funded for the Ambassador program will be reduced by approximately 50 percent. The remaining Ambassadors will be provided with additional training, and the program will be restructured to work more closely with West Palm Beach police in a coordinated effort to reduce crime and aggressive behavior. That funding will be redirected to increase special duty patrols by West Palm Beach Police with a focus on the most specific zones and times of criminal behavior.  The City of West Palm Beach will provide additional funding to support the increased police patrols.

In addition to enhanced law enforcement presence, outreach to the homeless community will be increased in the downtown area. The outreach team will assist with complimentary solutions that address the homeless and at-risk homeless population to connect and provide information about existing services in the area. These strategies will help bridge the gap between people that need help and the agencies or programs that are available to them.

The DDA will also form a Safety Task Force for the Downtown area. The task force will be comprised of representative members from the community, including residential, business, property ownership interests, Housing and Community Development, Police, State Attorney’s Office, and Fire Rescue. The task force will provide feedback and advice to law enforcement, city leaders, the DDA, and the community.

“It’s vital that we invest in resources and programs that allow us to reach our great potential as the city of West Palm Beach continues to grow and welcome more visitors and businesses,” said City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James.  “Through this partnership, we’re confident that we can ensure a safe environment for all stakeholders.”

For further information about these new programs, visit DowntownWPB.com or call (561) 833-8873.

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 29, 2023) – Here’s your chance to celebrate the spirit of Carnival with the first-ever Mardi Gras event at the Meyer Amphitheatre in Downtown West Palm Beach. Hosted by the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District in partnership with the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), this inaugural event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday February 17, 2024. 

 Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors, flamboyant costumes, lively music, and electric spirit of New Orleans’ world-famous festival, right in the Center of Paradise. The inaugural Mardi Gras event will feature a myriad of activities, including live musical performances and culinary treats inspired by the sounds and flavors of New Orleans.  

“Downtown West Palm Beach is known for its cultural scene and commitment to hosting world-class events,” says Teneka James-Feaman, associate executive director of the West Palm Beach DDA. “The inaugural Mardi Gras celebration will serve as a platform to showcase downtown’s unique spirit, diverse community, and remarkable artistic talent.” 

The event will be produced by Festival Management Group, which will collaborate closely with local authorities, community organizations, and dedicated volunteer organizations. They are committed to fostering strong partnerships and engaging with the community to create an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone.  

Please visit DowntownWPB.com/MardiGras for information on how to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor or vendor.  

About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities. 

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.  

About Arts & Entertainment District
The West Palm Beach A&E District is a centralized collection of inspiring arts and entertainment venues; art and history museums; galleries; libraries; performing arts companies; and art education institutions. Situated in the heart of South Florida’s most progressive city, the District includes more than 20 distinct and distinguished cultural destinations that form a defining industry cluster. The A&E District enhances the appeal of West Palm Beach as a visitor destination, drawing attention to its status as a vibrant city illuminated by its beauty and range of creative expression. For more information about the A&E District, please visit DowntownWPBArts.com. 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 14, 2023) – Here’s your chance to put your mark on Downtown West Palm Beach! The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is seeking proposals to activate locations throughout downtown through placemaking – creating public spaces that contribute to the community’s health, happiness and wellbeing. Winning submissions will be granted up to $5,000 to bring the idea to life. All ideas must be able to be implemented within the DDA district boundaries. 

“We support community voices and are excited about this new effort to make connections and strengthen our resilience in our outdoor spaces downtown,” said Sherryl Muriente, public realm director for the DDA. “Downtown West Palm Beach is home to numerous artworks, open public spaces, and a beautiful waterfront, which may inspire and provide a wide range of sites for this project to be implemented.” 

The application process will have two phases: first, pitch your project idea; and second, if accepted, refine it with the guidance of DDA placemaking workshops and mentors. All submissions must have community involvement and/or interaction within the process of completing the project. Accepted proposals will receive funding based on the proposed budget and DDA will cover permit and liability fees.  

Placemaking has already made a significant impact in Downtown West Palm Beach with projects such as the Fern Street Chess Park, Trojan Rocking Horses, Que Banco, Motivational Mondays, and more.  

Placemaking grants are open to all legal U.S. residents 18 years of age or older at the time of submitted entry. The maximum award amount is up to $5,000 until all funds are exhausted. The application period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Finalists will be announced on Friday, Nov. 17. 

More information and the application form can be found at DowntownWPB.com/RFP. 

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About the Downtown Development Authority 

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.   

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.   

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (May 17, 2023) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the launch of the Public Life Data Dashboard, tracking where, when and how people spend their time in Downtown West Palm Beach. The dashboard, which is available to the public, was created in partnership with Gehl, the renowned urban strategy and design firm. This marks the first time that a downtown district has created a dashboard available to the public containing Gehl’s Public Life methodology data.   

This data was collected by DDA staff and volunteers and helps the DDA make informed decisions about how to invest in public realm improvements, programming and events that make Downtown West Palm Beach an even more exciting place to live, work, shop, and dine. It also gives the DDA the ability to tell a story of why the organization does what they do in the public realm.   

Data and surveying over the years have shown the DDA that people desire to utilize the Waterfront more. Before COVID, the Great Lawn and Waterfront did not see an uptick of usage during the week. In 2020, its usage increased to an average of 80 people/hour in pedestrian counts and up to an average of 135 people/hour in 2022. By analyzing how people use the space to continue the positive trends; the DDA can identify how planting trees or providing temporary shade from the sun would make the site even more attractive to activities.  

“Building a more vibrant Downtown West Palm Beach is a team effort involving urban planners, developers, business owners, advocates, plus residents and visitors,” said Sherryl Muriente, public realm director for the DDA. “This publicly available dashboard will help us identify investment opportunities related to mobility, public realm projects, and business improvements.” 

To collect the data, community researchers observed particular locations along streets, parks, and other open spaces in Downtown West Palm Beach. Because public life and foot traffic varies over the course of a day, on weekends, and during different seasons, the DDA collected data once a month throughout the year, from morning until evening, on one weekday and one weekend day. The Public Life Data Dashboard currently includes data collected from February 2022 to December 2022. All data collected respects the privacy of all observed individuals; as data collection is strictly counts and not recording devices.  Data collection in 2023 will be conducted quarterly.  

For more information about Public Life Data Dashboard visit DowntownWPB.com/PublicRealm. For further information about the DDA, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call (561) 833-8873. 

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority 

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities. 

PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 11, 2023) – Palm Beach welcomes more people to get in and around the island without their car to reduce demands on limited parking and improve traffic flow. To support this, the Town is investing in a six-week pilot project to increase Circuit operations on the island, providing free rides within the center of the island and Downtown West Palm Beach. The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and Brightline also invest in this free ride service, operated by Circuit.  The extended service was initiated Saturday, April 8, and is planned to continue through May 19.

The Palm Beach Town Council voted on March 14 to fund supplemental Circuit service with a $30,000 investment adding two Circuit on-demand electric vehicles to better serve the Town during the six-week pilot. Funding also includes business outreach and engagement supported by WPBgo, West Palm Beach’s public-private mobility coalition focused on improving area transportation to benefit the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. Data from the pilot will help determine the nature of future investments by the Town to reduce parking demand and to assist employees and patrons to access businesses without the need for a car. The Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, Worth Avenue Association, and the Palm Beach Midtown Business Association are participants in a working group to inform the program’s implementation and evolution, and to maximize awareness within the business community.

Since September 2021, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority has partnered with Circuit to provide free rides within Downtown and the Town of Palm Beach. In the past 12 months, ridership has grown 63%, from 7,098 passengers in March 2022 to 11,606 unique passengers in March 2023. In that same time span, Circuit has provided 129,012 rides, leading to a reduction of approximately 70 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of 37 jobs for local residents as managers, supervisors and drivers/ambassadors. In addition, since most of the rides are shared among passengers, this also reduces the total vehicle miles traveled on area streets in addition to reducing demand for limited parking.

Rides can be scheduled through the Circuit smartphone app available at ridecircuit.com. The service is available 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Circuit shuttle uses 100-percent electric vehicles, promoting better air quality while offering a first-mile/last-mile transportation option that is convenient and easy to use. Free rides are available between any two locations within the Circuit zone, available at DowntownWPB.com/Circuit. Gratuities for Circuit drivers are appreciated but never required. Drivers are W2 Circuit employees who have passed background checks and who, collectively, have decades of experience navigating the roads in our local community.

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About the WPBgo
WPBgo is the West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition, a 501(c)3 non-profit Transportation Management Association (TMA), working in partnership with private and public sector partners to reduce traffic and improve mobility in and around downtown West Palm Beach to enable economic growth, save people’s precious time, and make everyday life easier.

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

About the Town of Palm Beach
The Town of Palm Beach is a 12-mile long barrier island located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Known as one of the first luxury resort destinations in America, Palm Beach is home to world – class shopping, historic landmarks, stunning beaches and small -town charm.  The year round population is approximately 9,500 residents,and grows to over 25,000 + residents during the winter season.  The Town promotes an exceptional quality of life and takes greatest pride in honoring its historic past.

About Circuit
Founded by James Mirras and Alex Esposito in 2011, Circuit is an electric, micro-transit solution. Circuit uses fleets of cars that fulfill the first/last-mile gap that’s experienced by municipalities around the world. The service is made possible by collaborating with municipalities, developers and advertising partners. Since starting the company as a pet-project in their hometown, the business is now operating in cities across NY, FL, CA, NJ, CO, MA, and TX, and has provided over 6M rides without burning an ounce of gas or traveling more than a few miles.  Learn more at www.ridecircuit.com.