Tag: Press Releases

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.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 25, 2022) – Come on and take a free ride! The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) today announced an extension to its sponsorship of the Circuit on-demand shuttle program, which offers free rides to residents and visitors from place to place throughout Downtown and the Town of Palm Beach. The DDA’s program was launched in October 2021, and the response has been tremendous.   

In just 12 months, ridership has grown 1,000 percent, from 1,100 passengers in September 2021 to more than 12,600 passengers in August 2022. That represents over 85,000 rides provided in the past 12 months, a reduction of more than 60 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of 37 jobs for local residents as managers, supervisors and driver/ambassadors. In addition, since most of the rides are shared among passengers, this also reduces the total vehicles miles traveled on Downtown streets.  

“As Downtown continues to add new residents and workers, and attract more visitors to hotels, the need for convenient mobility options also grows. We’re very pleased with the positive response to Circuit as people look to move around Downtown and beyond without the need for their personal vehicles,” said Raphael Clemente, executive director of the DDA. “Every passenger on these electric, emission free vehicles helps to reduce parking demand in our city center and greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.”   

Rides can be scheduled through the Circuit app available at ridecircuit.com. The service is available 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 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. – 6:00 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.  

The Circuit shuttle and Downtown Trolley are just two 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.  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 19, 2022) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the appointment of Samantha Bratter as a member of the DDA Board of Directors. The appointment was made by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James. 

Bratter is a Downtown West Palm Beach resident and Chief Operating Officer of the Downtown West Palm Beach-based immigrant law firm Bratter P.A. She previously held leadership positions in advancement and development with The Miami Foundation, Mt. Sinai Medical Center Foundation and Temple Beth Sholom of Miami Beach.  

“The thing that impresses me most about Downtown West Palm Beach is the culture of kindness, which stretches from our business community to individual residents and visitors,” said Bratter. “My goal as a DDA board member is to foster the continued growth of our arts and culture community while leading smart, focused investments in our business community.” 

The DDA is governed by a seven-member board of directors which includes downtown property owners, business owners, and/or residents. Board Members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission of West Palm Beach. 

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. (October 12, 2022) – Kings and Queens of South Florida – It’s your move in Downtown West Palm Beach! On National Chess Day, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) celebrated the grand opening of the Fern Street Chess Park, a fun, new, outdoor community space with chess boards in a centrally located park full of shade. 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 will be available but in limited supply, so players are encouraged to bring their own sets and timer.  

“As Downtown West Palm Beach continues to grow in both the number of residents and visitors, this peaceful respite will create new opportunities for social interaction, bringing together a diverse range of people from all ages and backgrounds,” said DDA Executive Director Raphael Clemente. “Over the coming months, we look forward to seeing how people connect on a daily basis; whether learning the game, reuniting, meeting a neighbor, or chess competitions among local clubs.” 

Through the new Chess Park, the DDA aims to enhance connectivity within the Downtown community, extending the sense of a neighborhood feeling for residents and visitors while creating comfortable street spaces and encouraging foot traffic and the pedestrian experience.  

Chess gained popularity in 2020 following the release of The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. As a result, tens of millions of new players have been attracted to the game, with a percentage right here in West Palm Beach. 

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. 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 13, 2022) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), with support from the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District, today announced the winner in its search for “The Next Big Thing” — a quest to bring a unique and imaginative outdoor experience to the heart of the city.  A community-wide project called Trojan Rocking Horses was chosen from a search that generated more than 20 international submissions aimed at engaging the West Palm Beach community, downtown residents, and visitors. 

Trojan Rocking Horses consists of eight life-sized rocking horses, each custom-designed by local children during design workshops and then fabricated locally, under the guidance of world-renowned Finnish artist and architect Marco Casagrande. The horses will begin their journey through various communities in West Palm Beach collecting messages from West Palm Beach citizens.  

Casagrande, a five-time invitee to the Venice Architecture Biennale and a recipient of the UNESCO Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, envisions each horse as a work of art and a gathering source for the community’s ideas and visions for the for the future of Downtown West Palm Beach.   

Upon arrival in Downtown, there will be a performance where the horses are placed as interactive sculptures that will symbolically deliver these aspirational messages to the heart of the City. The horses will continue to collect inspiring messages from the community as they remain in downtown. Several times each year, the messages will be reviewed and published both online and in printed newspaper. 

“This project is special because it directly involves the community from beginning to end, and truly is a project of, by, and for the people in West Palm Beach,” said Sherryl Muriente, Public Realm Director for the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. “It will give local residents the opportunity to express their ideas and vision for the future of Downtown West Palm Beach through a visible expression of the community’s voice, empowering them in the process, as they build something together.”  

The goal of The Next Big Thing Project was to inspire placemakers to create a new experience that would be interactive, unique to the place, artistic, and ignite the community’s imagination. Applicants were asked to interpret the theme in their own, original, creative way reflecting on the idea of sparking moments of fascination, wonder, and imagination.  

With the selection process complete, the West Palm Beach DDA will work with Marco Casagrande and his team to bring this project to life over the next several months.  

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. 

About the West Palm Beach A&E District 

The West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment 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. 

About Casagrande Laboratory 

Casagrande Laboratory is a multidisciplinary architecture and innovation company with projects ranging from one-family houses to CLT apartment buildings and from environmental art to landscape architecture and local knowledge based biourbanism. Spearheaded by world-renowned architect Marco Casagrande the Laboratory is involved with commission, research and educational projects with equally respected individuals, families, communities, companies, organizations, industries, cities, governments and environments as our clients. www.casagrandelaboratory.com.  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 22, 2022) – Three of the area’s cultural gems – Palm Beach Symphony, Ballet Florida and the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Orchestra – will work in perfect harmony on Saturday, May 21 for a special performance on the waterfront, the 5th annual Harmony: An Exhibition of the Arts.  Starting at 4 p.m., Harmony is a free, two-hour outdoor event at the Meyer Amphitheatre including more than 75 distinct and distinguished performers. This year’s performance is presented by the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District with the support from the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for families to spend a day enjoying our local artists and performers along the spectacular Downtown waterfront,” said Teneka James-Feaman, Associate Executive Director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Association. “This once-a-year event is also a great chance to explore what’s new in Downtown West Palm Beach while supporting homegrown talent.”  

Palm Beach Symphony will kick off the afternoon of the arts with the national anthem sung by Kaia Clemente, followed by familiar and beloved selections such as Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Rossini’s Overture to Barber of Seville and Copland’s An Outdoor Overture. Ballet Florida joins the Symphony for Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 and Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance. Palm Beach Symphony Lisa Bruna B-Major Award winner Dion Sellitti joins the Symphony and Ballet Florida to perform Saint-Saëns’ The Swan.  

Following this year’s call for artists, 20-year-old award-winning singer and trumpeter Chris Santiago will take the stage with Palm Beach Symphony to perform You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini). Santiago is a highly decorated performer as recipient of the 2019 Songbook Celebration Award, 2018-19 Young Artist Award Winner of the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook, 2020 National YoungArts Winner in Jazz Voice. Chris has garnered local and national audiences with his performance in the Kravis Center Pop Orchestra alongside Michael Feinstein, on Legends Radio 100.3 FM and on radio show American Standards by the Sea. This year, he’ll make his Australian debut in the premiere of, “CHET: The Prince of Cool.” 

 The Harmony program will feature an engaging intermission program with the always exciting Dreyfoos School of the Arts Orchestra led by Director Jeffrey Adkins. In the concert’s second half, Dreyfoos School of the Arts Orchestra members will play side by side with Palm Beach Symphony musicians under the baton of Palm Beach Symphony Assistant Conductor Matthew Cooperman to perform popular standards and Broadway hits with Cole Porter Salute, The Carousel Waltz, and selections from The Sound of Music as well as Sousa’s rousing The Liberty Bell. Harmony culminates as Ballet Florida returns to the stage to join the Symphony and Dreyfoos musicians in Buckaroo Holiday and Hoe-down from Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo.  

 “Harmony makes the arts more inviting, more accessible and, therefore, more relevant to all members of the community,” said Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont.  “It deepens our appreciation of the value of a community so rich in quality cultural experiences. With no charge, no reservations, and no dress code, everyone feels welcome at Harmony. Don’t miss this!” 

Harmony will take place Saturday, May 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Meyer Amphitheatre located at 105 Evernia St. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket, picnic basket and enjoy an afternoon of music and dance al fresco!  

For more information about Harmony, please visit DowntownWPBArts.com or call (561) 833-8873. 

About the West Palm Beach 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, visit DowntownWPBArts.com.  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 15, 2022) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has received grants totaling $35,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to support two successful programs that increase livability and placemaking in Downtown West Palm Beach.  

Knight Foundation awarded $25,000 towards the DDA’s Dining on the Spot program, which was created to help businesses expand service into public spaces to allow greater distance between patrons during the restrictions put in place under the COVID pandemic. The funds will be used to offset the cost for businesses to create additional and/or expanded outdoor dining spaces.  

“We’ve had many restaurant owners tell us that their businesses might not have survived the pandemic without the Dining on the Spot program,” said West Palm Beach DDA Executive Director Raphael Clemente.  “The program was so successful the City of West Palm Beach is now actively working on changes to the parklet ordinance, and this grant will help Downtown restaurants fund the expansion of outdoor dining spaces under the revised ordinance.”  

Dining on the Spot has been recognized by the International Downtown Association, Florida Redevelopment Association, PlacemakingX, and others as a model program for urban districts. Based on what was learned through the Dining on the Spot program, the DDA and the City of West Palm Beach went on to develop design guidelines to streamline the process of permitting and installing flexible, adaptable outdoor dining spaces, also known as parklets throughout the downtown area.  

Knight Foundation also granted the DDA $10,000 to create a Placemaking Mini-Grant program that awards community stakeholders the ability to plan and implement their own placemaking projects in public or semi-public spaces. It will provide funding of up to $5,000 to individuals or businesses within the downtown area to supplement the cost of doing placemaking projects that engage the community and enhance everyone’s quality of life, from the youth to the elderly.  

“A successful place has four key qualities that differentiate it from a common space, it must be accessible, comfortable, sociable, and active for all ages,” said Public Realm Director, Sherryl Muriente. “Providing opportunities for more community-led placemaking programs that focus on wellness, inclusivity, and stewardship, encourages our downtown to be more welcoming and celebrates our local community.” 

 Among the goals for this program are to build community networks and foster the community’s involvement in activating spaces in their neighborhood, promoting diversity and inclusion, and stimulating community dialogue around shared goals. 

For more information about these programs, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873. 

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. 

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation 

We are social investors who support democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and in the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers. Learn more at kf.org and follow @knightfdn on social media.