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Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency 8 South J Street Lake Worth, FL 33460 Phone: (561) 493-2550.
150 Third Street, SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880 800.274.2812
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501 Lake Avenue. Lake Worth, FL 33460 Phone: (561) 582-4401 Fax: (561) 547-8300.
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George Byfield, Art Director gbyfield@j2creativegroup.com
Michelle Jerla, Designer mjerla@j2creativegroup.com
The most successful businesses are constantly one step ahead of their competition, J2 Creative Group specializes in helping business rise above even the most competitive marketplace. To find out what J2 Creative Group can do for your business contact us at 1.800.274.2812.
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Discover the crown jewel of Florida’s east coast Lifestyle Located in the center of beautiful Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is the undiscovered crown jewel of Florida’s east coast. With its sun soaked beaches and its many historic neighborhoods, Lake Worth offers small town charm with all the urban conveniences. Lake Worth offers a retreat where you can you enjoy a cup a coffee with your neighbor, play a round of golf or still purchase an affordable home just steps from the center of town. It’s location offers the urban convenience of an international airport, major employment centers and all of the arts and culture that Palm Beach County has to offer within minutes of your home. In Lake Worth diversity is a lifestyle. Lake Worth’s 36,000 residents grow to 38,000 in the winter months. They are a diverse mix of artists, young professionals, families and retirees with ethnicities from all over the world. Once known as the Finnish capital of the United States, Lake Worth is a community where an eclectic population lives and works together for the betterment of their community.
Heritage Lake Worth is one of the few South Florida communities that have diligently preserved its past. With six locally designated historic districts, three of which are on the National Historic Register, Lake Worth respects its past. Even outside of the historic districts, there are plenty of historic homes available that still have the old Florida charm. Unlike many communities, Lake Worth’s architectural past is as diverse as the population that lives there. Architectural styles include mediterranean revival, colonial revival, vernacular and art moderne and buildings like the historic City Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places represent a mix of styles.
Progress Like most cities in South Florida, Lake Worth has seen a boom in residential development over the past few years. Since 2001, over 250 units were built and today there are an additional 279 units completed or under construction with several more in the pipeline. New residential development provides many housing options from family friendly townhouse development to urban lofts with open floor plans and views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Commercial development also continues in Lake Worth with several small office and retail developments either under construction or recently completed. In about a year, Lake Worth will become home to the world’s first “living” office building. This office and retail complex will be certified by the US Green Building Council and will feature a living machine that will purify and reuse water.
Amenities Lake Worth offers visitors and residents many amenities not found in other communities of its size. These amenities include: • Public Beach and Fishing Pier • Municipal Golf Course • Public Boat Ramp with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway • Entertainment venues like the Lake Worth Playhouse or Bamboo Room • Local and regional parks • Art galleries, restaurants and shopping • Annual and weekly community events
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located in the center of Palm Beach County Lake Worth Profile Area
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Approx. 6 square miles
Government Location
. . . . . . .City Commission/Manager
. . . . . . . . . . .Located in east central Palm Beach County just south of the City of West Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach.
Transportation
Utilities
. . . .Accessed by I-95 and US 1; Florida East Coast (FEC) and CSX rail connections; public transportation provided by Tri-Rail Commuter Rail service, Palm Tran Bus service and City of Lake Worth Trolley service; Palm Beach International Airport within 8 miles
. . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Worth Utilities (Electric, Water and Sewer), Lake Worth Public Works (Trash and Recycling); Florida Public Utilities (Natural Gas); Bellsouth (Telephone); Adelphia Cable.
Traffic Volumes
. . . .N. Dixie Highway – 25,000 daily S. Dixie Highway – 21,000 daily 10th Avenue North (east of I-95) – 33,600 daily 6th Avenue South (east of I-95) – 27,900 daily
Population, 2005
. . .42,461 (Lake Worth); 1,270,602 (Palm Beach County)
Median Age
. . . . . . .34 (Lake Worth); 42 (Palm Beach County)
Median Household Income, (2005) . . . . .$33,033 (Lake Worth); $50,700 (Palm Beach County)
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The market looks bright for Dixie Highway Market Study In an effort to take a market based approach to redevelopment, the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) commissioned a market study of the Dixie Highway Corridor (also known as US 1) and eastern Lake Worth. The purpose was to identify the potential for future redevelopment, conceptualize market-based redevelopment strategies and identify strategic locations to focus redevelopment efforts.
parking, incentives for tenant improvements and a targeted approach to business attraction and development. The Study identified key nodes, ripe for larger scale redevelopment along the northern Dixie Highway corridor and suggested gaps in the current retail market, in terms of merchandise mix. It also identified additional demand for residential development and professional offices. The Study indicates the Dixie Highway corridor could support an anchored small to mid-sized lifestyle center, specifically on one of the larger parcels to the the north. Specific retail uses missing in the mix include a national grocery store and other specialty shopper’s goods and small entertainment venues.
Completed in April 2006, the Dixie Highway Market Study is serving as a guide to the creation of a new user friendly land development code, and is guiding the Lake Worth CRA in development of its own set of redevelopment strategies which will include physical improvements, like beautification and
The Lake Worth trade area draws its patrons primarily from City residents, but also includes vacationers to Lake Worth, residents of the neighboring towns of Lantana, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach and employees working in the City. Total retail expenditures in the Lake Worth trade area approximate $150 million annually. With a strong redevelopment effort, the Study estimates Lake Worth could capture an additional $25 million annually (within the next 5 years) which is currently leaking out of trade area. For a complete look at the Lake Worth Dixie Highway Market Study and the opportunities mentioned visit www.lwcra.net.
Incentive and Assistance The State of Florida, Palm Beach County and the Lake Worth CRA provide several incentives to try to encourage redevelopment within the City’s Redevelopment Area. The following is a list of available incentive or assistance programs: State of Florida Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund State of Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Bonus Refund State of Florida Economic Development Transportation Fund Palm Beach County Job Growth Incentive Fund Palm Beach County Development Regions Grant Palm Beach County Film/TV Incentive Grant Lake Worth CRA Gateways Predevelopment Grant Program Lake Worth CRA Façade Grant Program Lake Worth CRA Redevelopment Incentive Program Courtyards of Lake Worth — A 42-unit townhome development
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Lake Worth’s commerical districts New or Planned Developments (residential) • Courtyards at Lake Worth – A 42 unit townhome development at the northern end of Dixie Highway. • Hammon Park – A 109 townhome development along Dixie Highway at the fringe of Downtown. • The Lucerne – An 80 unit mixed use development in the heart of Downtown • Tuscan Villas – a 15 unit townhome development along Federal Highway • Coconut Walk – a 13 unit infill townhome development project • The Cloisters – A 41 unit townhome development • The Moorings (located in the Town of Lantana) – 378 unit mixed use development along Dixie just to the south of Lake Worth’s border
New or Planned Development (commercial) • Assoma Medical Center – 8,000 s.f. medical office on Dixie Highway • Liberty Commons – 20,000 s.f. professional office along 10th Avenue North in the Gateways District • The Promenade – 30,000 s.f. retail/office on the edge of east Downtown • Viva Verde (Green/living building) – 50,000 s.f. retail/office on the edge of west Downtown • Lissio Office Building (Green Building) – 8,000 s.f. professionla office
Lake Worth’s Commercial Corridor
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Small town charm meets urban Boom In Development The term old Florida charm, new Florida style is used to describe downtown Lake Worth. Downtown’s main streets, Lake and Lucerne Avenues, are lined with spacious sidewalks, art and antique shops, along with many fine restaurants and specialty stores. There is something to please every palate, from fine French and Italian cuisine to gourmet coffee and health food fare. The architecture of the Downtown is reminiscent of City’s Boom Time during the 1920’s and 30’s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. New attention to street furnishings, maintenance and landscaping is completing the look. Another attribute of Lake Worth’s Downtown is its thriving arts and civic initiatives. Home to more working artists than anywhere in the tri county area community events such as the Street Painting Festival, co-sponsored by the City and the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce draw hundreds of thousands of people to the downtown area annually.Weekly events like Evening on the Avenues, attract over 4,000 visitors with live music, arts & crafts and fun for the whole family.
Lucerne an 80 unit mixed use development in the heart of Downtown, provide a little of both, with a new Starbuck’s on the ground floor. The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency is dedicating its resources to supporting this growth while minimizing impacts on the community. With a renewed focus on attracting more retailers to the Downtown, the CRA is investing in new public parking, building façade improvements and has formed public private partnerships that have resulted in more residents in Downtown. In the upcoming year, the CRA will be looking at ways to provide direct assistance to small businesses and retailers. Some of the programs under consideration include tenant improvement assistance, direct targeting of businesses, parking and infrastructure improvements.
Today, the Downtown is exhibiting another boom in development. While being sensitive to the Downtown’s historic character, new infill developments are providing opportunities for residential and commercial development. Projects like Lake Avenue Lofts provide an opportunity for homeownership in the Downtown with views of the Intercoastal Waterway and Golf Course. Conversely, the Promenades will provide 30,000 square feet of modern retail and office space available in the spring of next year. Other projects, such as the
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convenience in Lake Worth Arts & Events Bonfires on the Beach - Roast marshmallows and enjoy live music 7-9pm on the second and fourth Fridays, November through February at Lake Worth Beach. Street Painting Festival - The streets of Lake Worth come alive with color the last weekend in February. Pride Fest - Alternative lifestyle celebrations in Bryant Park every April. Reggae Fest - Come to Bryant Park the first weekend in April to enjoy smooth reggae sounds featuring arts & crafts and Caribbean food. Earth Day Celebration - Celebrate this holiday every April in Bryant Park. Tropical Triathlon - This mini sprint triathlon travels Lake Worth’s beaches and neighborhoods.
Tropic Fest - Celebrate that nation’s Independence Day with entertainment food & fireworks. Annual Christmas Parade - Every December it snows in Lake Worth join the fun for our Christmas Parade. Evening on the Avenues - Enjoy live music on the Cultural Plaza’s Main stage, outdoor dining, crafts and more every Friday. Art Walk - The Second Saturdays in Season Artwalk is a stroll of all of Lake Worths’ Galleries. This event takes place on the second Saturday of February, March & April. This self-guided tour is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in sunny South Florida. Each Art Walk begins with an 11am welcome reception at the Mango Inn, where participants may enjoy hors d’oeuvres and mimosas as they pick up their walking tour guides. By following the supplied itinerary, walkers can socialize and mingle while exploring the galleries and artists’ studios. The Lake Worth Playhouse occupies the former Oakley Theatre, the oldest building on the Register of the Art Deco Society of Palm Beach County. The Theatre first opened its doors in 1924. Currently the Playhouse offers a season of traditional musicals and plays on the main stage and education classes for adults and children of all ages. www.lakeworthplayhouse.org
Lake Worth’s own Street Painting Festival takes place annually the last weekend in February. Artists transform the streets of Downtown into works of art during this colorful event. Hundreds of artists participate, along with street performers, strolling minstrels, and live jazz and blues on the Cultural Plazas main stage. Kids of all ages can create their own masterpiece in the Children’s Meadow while the festival food court provides a variety of tastes and treats for more than 100,000 visitors. www.streetpaintingfestivalinc.org
Lake Worth Street Painting Festival www.lwchamber.com
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Lake Worth’s Gateways: An urban Turning Vision Into A Reality Lake Worth’s western Gateways, 6th Avenue South and 10th Avenue North, are the target of a new vision for the City. Located just off of Interstate 95, the Gateways are the primary entrances to the City for visitors and residents alike. Currently a hodgepodge of substandard single family homes, duplexes and small offices, the City’s vision includes a new mixed use district that encourages professional offices and neighborhood commercial goods and services centered on beautifully landscaped boulevards. The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency and the City are investing significant resources to make this vision a reality. Over the past two years, the Gateways have been the beneficiary of a major planning initiative to improve the public realm through beautification and create user friendly codes that will encourage new private investment. Today, that planning is taking shape. In December 2005, the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) began one of the City’s largest beautification
projects to rebuild these roadways and create inviting entrances to the City. Improvements include lushly landscaped boulevards with attractive neighborhood entry features, an upgrade of public utilities such as water, sewer and electric, and pedestrian amenities like new street lighting, benches and trash cans all to support future development of the area. Construction of improvements along 6th Avenue South will be complete April 2007, and 10th Avenue North, winter 2008. At the same time, the City created a new zoning category, the Gateways Mixed Use District, for the neighborhood blocks flanking the Gateways thoroughfares. This district primarily encourages the assembly of smaller lots to create attractive mixed use developments oriented to the street and the neighborhoods. The new district also provides some relief from standard code requirements such as parking to make infill development more feasible for investors. The key to Gateways redevelopment is land assembly, so recognizing that challenge, the Lake Worth CRA has also created incentives to assist investors in land assembly and predevelopment activities. With easy access to I-95 and traffic counts in excess of 33,000 cars per day the Gateways offer an excellent redevelopment opportunity.
Gateways Project 6th Avenue South 10
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transformation in the making Gateways Components The transformation of the City’s Gateways into attractive, pedestrian-friendly corridors that will encourage positive redevelopment includes several key components, including:
Beautifully landscaped medians in the center of the roadway A landscaped swale along the north and the south side of the road Neighborhood entry features at each of the intersections New decorative street lights and sturdy windproof mast arms Brick paver crosswalks at all side streets Brick paver intersections at Dixie Highway and South A Street Undergrounding of existing electrical power lines Upgrading of drainage inlets Upgrading of existing water and sewer lines
Facts & Figures The City’s vision of a revitalized Gateways is becoming a reality.The facts and figures show why the project is becoming a success.
$14 million dollar beautification and infrastructure improvement project. New mixed use zoning district. Incentives for land assembly and predevelopment. Easy access to I-95 and Palm Beach International Airport Traffic counts over 33,000 cars per day.
For more information on the Gateways contact the Lake Worth CRA at www.lwcra.net or 561-493-2550.
Lake Worth Park of Commerce Just west of I-95 between 6th Avenue South and 10th Avenue North lies the 393 acre Lake Worth Park of Commerce (POC). One of the few areas in Palm Beach County still offering developable industrial lands, the Park of Commerce offers direct access to I-95 and the CSX railway. The vision for the Park of Commerce is to create a true industrial park to meet the needs of small to mid sized businesses and to create an employment center for the City of Lake Worth. Both the City and Palm Beach County will be investing in
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infrastructure to make this vision a reality. For more information on opportunities in the Park of Commerce contact the City of Lake Worth Community Development Department at 561-586-1687.
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