Affordable Housing coming to Lake Worth Beach

$850,000 in federal funding announced for affordable housing in Lake Worth Beach

Housing that still will not be affordable

"We know that more than half of the people are spending more than 30% of their income on housing."

Federal and local officials announce $850,000 investment to help build affordable housing units in downtown Lake Worth Beach, targeting families earning below 80% of the area median income.

Frankel stated, "The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Palm Beach County now exceeds $2,200, and rising housing costs are continuing to price working families out of their neighborhoods."

According to Joan Oliva, executive director of the Lake Worth Beach CRA, rental rates will vary depending on unit size and occupancy.

"Those rents come out to be a little under $2,000. So, it depends on how many people are in the unit. But we're looking at a range of $1,500, maybe $1,400 to $2,000," Oliva said.

Read about it...

The Lake Worth Beach CRA says three vacant lots will be transformed into affordable housing units using these federal funds, at the following locations [WFLX]:

30 South K Street – Lake Worth Beach FL 33460 - Within the next two years
126 South J Street – Lake Worth Beach FL 33460 - Within the next two years
 24 South L Street – Lake Worth Beach FL 33460 - Within the next three years

Lawsuit filed against Lake Worth Beach and the CRA

Lake Worth For All files lawsuit

Kimberly Stokes, Former Lake Worth Beach Commissioner and the above group filed a lawsuit this week that takes aim at the WMODA deal and the machinery behind it.

The City and the Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency are misusing nearly $2 million in penny sales tax money for the WMODA project. We've asked them over and over again to stop this madness. They've refused.

Lake Worth For All says, help us win this lawsuit by donating to our legal fund for fighting bad development plans like WMODA. (If you've already donated, thank you! Please share this with others who may as well.)

Here’s the core of what LW4A is putting in front of a judge: Palm Beach County voters approved a one-cent infrastructure surtax for schools and public infrastructure. Our complaint says Lake Worth Beach received its share and then transferred portions to the CRA under interlocal agreements that tightly restricted what that money could be used for — specifically, to buy designated downtown parcels and develop public surface parking.

Those agreements weren’t vague: the funds were to be “strictly utilized” for that surface-parking purpose, and if the parking lots weren’t built, the parcels were to be transferred back to the City.

“This is a blatant abuse of the penny sales tax funds that the voters approved for education and infrastructure only. The voters absolutely did not contemplate that their hard-earned tax dollars would be used to fund a development of market rate housing,’’ attorney Robert Hartsell, who is representing Lake Worth for All, said in a statement.

The city and CRA sidestepped protections in our City Charter that require a public vote before parcels in this downtown public land can be sold. The remedy is simple: put it on the ballot.

We want to stop this bad development before further irreparable damage is done. Historic buildings and a community garden have already been demolished to make way for WMODA. Last month, utility crews began moving power lines to make way for the WMODA project. We need to stop this before it goes any further.

Your donations make this fight possible.

The lawsuit

Kim Stokes, Lake Worth for All president

WMODA in Lake Worth Beach on track for development

Lake Worth Beach CRA: WMODA Permits Filed, Utility Relocation Underway Downtown

Alongside planning work, the city and the CRA moved into acquisitions.

A CRA summary lists downtown properties purchased since 2016 across South K Street, South L Street, South M Street, and Lake Avenue, with a combined total purchase cost listed as $4,590,000. The list includes parcels such as 25 South K Street and 704 1st Ave. South acquired in February 2019 with city funding, and multiple South L and South M Street properties acquired in 2017 and 2018 through a mix of CRA and city funding.

The CRA also notes additional CRA-owned lots used for surface parking, including 20 South L Street and 13 South M Street, both acquired in 2005.

In concept renderings and site plan materials presented as part of CRA updates, the WMODA concept is shown as part of a downtown planned development layout that includes the museum component fronting Lake Avenue and a residential component in the surrounding footprint, with an “art walk” connection shown through the site.

The materials also frame the project as a mixed-use cultural arts campus intended to support arts activity downtown and tie into public-space improvements.

Read more about it...

WMODA in Lake Worth Beach refers to the proposed Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts Cultural Arts Campus, a controversial mixed-use development planned for downtown, involving a museum, apartments, and parking, spearheaded by Arthur Wiener and the City/CRA as a public-private partnership, facing significant resident opposition over public land use and development scale.

While supporters see it as boosting the downtown economy with art and housing, critics argue it involves unfair land giveaways, lacks sufficient public input, and threatens the city's character, with construction expected around 2028.

Does the City Commission ever listen to the residents?

8 villas to be built in LWB for qualified Buyers

Palm Beach County secures $2.8M to launch housing in Lake Worth Beach

Palm Beach County has finalized a $2.8 million financing deal to jump-start construction of a new for-sale housing development aimed at helping working families enter the housing market.

The funding, announced by the county’s Department of Housing and Economic Development, will support the Lake Worth Beach CRA Villas — a project that will add eight affordable, county-assisted homes across four sites in Lake Worth Beach. The closing was completed on October 29, 2025.

The county is leveraging two funding sources for the development: a $1.48 million loan through the Housing Bond Loan Program and $1.32 million in federal Community Housing Development Organization funds. County officials say the combined package underscores ongoing efforts to expand attainable homeownership options amid rising housing costs across South Florida.

The project will feature four single-family villa buildings, each containing two units, on scattered lots at 1306 1st Street South, 610 North E Street, 417 South D Street, and 625 North D Street. Once finished, the homes will be available to buyers earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

Read more...

WMODA - Passed on First Reading

WMODA development disscused at Lake Worth Beach

WMODA protesters gather at Lake Worth Beach City Hall

Protesters representing opposition to the proposed WMODA museum project in the city gathered at City Hall in downtown Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on August 6, 2025

This item is a quasi-judicial hearing. The applicants, Sunshine Lake Worth Development LLC, the Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County (Cultural Council), are requesting approval of the following:

From the backup that staff previously approved:

 Mixed use urban planned development to construct a ± 32,283 square foot museum building with ancillary storage, café/retail space, and office space for the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA), a ± 136,831 square foot residential building (110 units) with 124 underground parking spaces and community art space, and an art walk/arts alley; and to vest a property owned by the Cultural Council and a property owned by the CRA for future development including affordable/workforce units.
 Development of Significant Impact to construct a mixed-use development over 100,00 square feet with more than 100 dwelling units.
 Major Site Plan to construct a mixed use development over 7,500 square feet
 Conditional Use Permit to establish a high-intensity (use area over 7,500 square feet) museum with ancillary fine arts storage, café, and retail space.
 Conditional Use Permit to establish a multi-family residential use over 7,500 square feet
 Sustainable Bonus Incentive Program (SBIP) for bonus density, intensity (FAR), and height
 Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for bonus density and intensity (FAR)
 Affordable/Workforce Housing Program (AWFH) for bonus density

First Reading passed by the City Commission regarding WMODA 4/0 (McVoy left the meeting earlier) based on the evidence presented.  As I heard it, I believe more residents were against the project although it was close.

Click to Watch on You Tube

WHY?

Lake Worth Beach Commission appoints new CRA Board members

Last night, the first thing on the Agenda were the choices of the commission to the CRA.

Carla Blockson
Harry Wolin
John Szerdi
Richard Mahler
Leah Foertsch

They totally blew off a few with a lot of experience, dedication and a track record of service working for the betterment of the city:

Pam Triolo Clahane (our former mayor)
Greg Richter (Neighborhood Association president)
Craig Frost (Neighborhood Association president)
Sam Goodstein (Business owner and long time resident)

So I want to know why.

Lake Worth Beach CRA Joan Oliva to receive Award on May 14

 

Museum in Downtown Lake Worth Beach?

The project aims to bring an artistic and economic boost to the city, but concerns are mounting over the potential financial burden on taxpayers.

Lake Worth Beach took a big step toward a plan that would have the city donate downtown property for a developer to build a $60 million mixed-use museum/apartment complex.

The core of the plan calls for the city to donate 1.7 acres to the Wiener Museum’s development company, United Management. The property, valued by the city at about $3.3 million, is at the southwest corner of Lake Avenue and South M Street. [pbpost]

Lake Worth CRA

Coming soon to Lake Worth Beach

More workforce housing "opportunities!"

At its November meeting the Lake Worth Beach CRA Board of Commissioners approved an incentive agreement for the development of LAKE WORTH STATION. This new rental complex will offer 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units for qualified applicants.

Located at the corner of 10th Avenue North and ‘G’ Street, construction of this 91-unit development is expected to begin in early 2025.

News from Chamber of Commerce

Exciting New Cultural Development in Lake Worth Beach Meeting on October 7th

The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA) has secured a partnership with the world-renowned Chihuly Studio to bring a permanent art installation and immersive experience right here in our city. This project involves the construction of a 33,000-square-foot museum dedicated to the Fired Arts, showcasing Chihuly's stunning glassworks in a permanent exhibit, making Lake Worth Beach one of only a handful of locations globally to feature such an attraction.

Why This Matters to Your Business:

• Increased Tourism: Similar installations in cities like Seattle and St. Petersburg have driven significant economic benefits, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue through tourism, hotel stays, restaurant sales, and retail spending.

• Economic Impact: Chihuly's exhibitions attract visitors from all over the world, and this could lead to a significant increase in foot traffic to local businesses like yours.

• Community Engagement: The museum will offer educational programs, events, and community initiatives that will bring more people into the downtown area, enriching the cultural life of our city and supporting local businesses.

Join Us to Learn More:
A joint City and CRA workshop will be held to discuss this exciting project. I strongly encourage you to attend this meeting to learn more about how this development that can benefit our community and ask any questions you may have.

Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Worth Beach Casino Complex

This is a unique opportunity for Lake Worth Beach, and your involvement as a local business is key to ensuring the success of this project. I hope you will join us to hear more about this transformative development and what it can mean for your business.

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out, or visit www.wmodaloveslwb.com. Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you at the meeting!

Warm regards,
Nadine Heitz, Esq.
6316 Lantana Road #45

Lake Worth Beach CRA's Grant Recipient

Announcement from the CRA:

"Work is quickly progressing on the renovation and remodeling of 704 Lake Avenue. In February 2024, this property received CRA grant assistance to extensively remodel the upstairs portion of this historic building.

Unbeknownst to many people, this 90-year-old building contains a second floor with over 3,000 sq. ft. of antiquated space. This open space contains an impressive arched ceiling, wood floors and overlooks the hustle and bustle of the street below. However, this upstairs space contains no working utilities or HVAC and was historically used for storage.

The owner is currently in the process of modernizing the space to convert it to 10 new micro-offices, meeting rooms, bathrooms and breakrooms.

This undertaking requires new electrical, drywall, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, flooring, painting and furnishings. In addition, new windows have been added around the perimeter of the building. The work at this property is expected to be completed and ready for new tenants by the end of 2024."

CRA gets funding for Affordable Housing

Two Electric Shuttles soon to appear in Lake Worth Beach

New electric shuttles approved for downtown Lake Worth Beach

Service paid for with Community Redevelopment Agency, city funds

Visitors and residents in Lake Worth Beach will soon have a new way to get around town in an environmentally friendly way.

The Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 30 unanimously approved a one-year contract to fund new electric shuttles in the downtown historic district.

An agreement between the CRA and the Circuit Transit company will assist with funding the operations of up to two environmentally friendly vehicles.

Individuals will be able to request on-demand service through the use of the Circuit app for a fee or by waving down a driver.

WPTV

Deco Green rental housing development on the horizon

Developers obtain $32 million loan to build Lake Worth apartments

At 1715 North Dixie Highway

"Lake Worth CRA sold the property for $2.49 million in 2022. City officials have encouraged development on the east side of the city to spur economic activity.

A joint venture between Miami-based developers Office America Group and Avanti Way Group obtained a $31.5 million construction loan to build an apartment complex in Lake Worth Beach.

The developers said they obtained the loan from a New York-based company, but didn’t disclose the name. It has yet to be recorded in county records.

Located on the 2.3-acre site at 1715 N. Dixie Highway, the Deco Green Apartments will total 125,000 square feet in four buildings, the tallest rising seven stories. It would have 125 apartments and 8,000 square feet of office/retail. The 20,000 square feet of green space would include a playground, a dog park and space for community gatherings."

Read who is behind it all...

Arts Lofts of West Village

Residents say flooding left more than $10,000 in damages to Lake Worth Beach homes

'Turn this into a drainage area where the rain can actually go down,' Brandon Graham says

Flooding has people feeling drained at the Arts Lofts of West Village in Lake Worth Beach.

"I looked out my window here and this is where I first saw the flooding, it was all down here," said Christina Pritchard who lives in the Arts Lofts.

Neighbors said that the units along N F Street were built too low, causing their homes to flood when it rains.

"You can see the difference of the heights of the homes around us, look how high that is compared to this one," said Pritchard.

Pritchard said flooding brought six inches of water into some units and worries about the impact it has on residents.

Read about the flooding

And for some trivia:  REG was retained by Neighborhood Renaissance, a nonprofit organization, which was contracted with the City of Lake Worth CRA to provide conceptual design through construction administration services for the apartments.

The lofts were sold specifically to low and moderate-income working artist households to allow them the opportunity to grow their businesses in West Village. The lofts were built to certified Florida green building standards. The development consisted of eight 3-story townhomes designed with street level studio/ retail space along with a separate 2,000 SF “Class A” commercial-retail building.

Important Updates from the CRA Lake Worth

1213 Lake Avenue
Madlyn’s Place will be located at 1213 Lake Avenue. This extensive renovation project will transform an abandoned structure into new office and meeting space for Path to College and Xcel Mentoring. Both of these neighborhood nonprofits will offer tutoring and leadership skills for our local youth. Minor interior demolition work has already begun and construction managers expect to have the project completed later this summer. This project is dedicated to the memory of the CRA’s former Chairwoman, and long-time Lake Worth Beach resident, Ms. Madlyn McKendry.

15 North E Street
The Micro Lofts at 15 North E Street is nearing completion. This project will offer new residential apartments with roof top balconies and ground floor studio space. Finishes and landscaping will be happening over the next few month and the development is expected to be 100% completed later this year. For any leasing questions call Sai Cheng at 561-305-6078.

CANA BAR & GRILL OPENS DOWNTOWN 604 Lake Avenue

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HATCH1121

R. Dot Arts & Creative Agency and Tambi Designs, LLC present Past, Presence, Future at HATCH 1121 Gallery. Works from over 30 artists from Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties will be on display.

Location:
1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL
Show Dates: March 11 - March 31, 2023
Opening Reception: March 11, 2023 | 5:30PM - 9:00PM
Daily Gallery Hours: March 13 - March 30, 2023 | 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Online Viewing Room: March 11 - March 31, 2023
Art & Flavor Artist Food Market : March 18, 2023 | 3:00PM - 9:00PM
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JOSE MENDEZ AT 561-805-0111

Vanilla Ice in Lake Worth Beach

Vanilla Ice Transforming Historic Lake Worth Building into Museum, Brewery

Vanilla Ice is working to transform an historic building in downtown Lake Worth Beach into a pop-culture museum and brewery.

The "Ice Ice Baby" rapper and host of the DIY Network's "The Vanilla Ice Project," who lives in Wellington, showed off his latest renovation project – gutting the 1922 Masonic building on Lake Avenue, near City Hall, and restoring the property to its 100-year-old splendor.

"We're gonna keep this place like the '20s so it's gonna feel like, you know, you're coming back in the '20s," Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, told his followers in a recent Facebook video that was posted on July 19.

This appears to be the building on Lake Avenue and H Street, across from City Hall. They will be able to take advantage of the new parking garage that has been built at The Bohemian. Another project in the CRA district.

Read more...

Gulfstream Hotel Project

Commissioner Christopher McVoy has been asking significant questions regarding costs that will be borne by the City of Lake Worth regarding the Gulfstream Hotel and our local paper ridicules him for doing his job.

The City's & CRA's projected costs:

Click to read--

In addition, the City and County property tax increment will be rebated for the new construction portion of the project from 2025 through 2031 (after which the CRA sunsets) – a value of nearly $3.95 million.

Shanon Materio voted down as member of CRA

Nomination of former West Palm Beach city commissioner Shanon Materio to Lake Worth Beach CRA is rejected

Yes, Shanon--I agree with you--it was "personal." Residents in this city saw you in action back when you started as a member of the CRA on 1-23-2006 during your four year term that expired on 8-21-2209 that was not renewed.

Mrs. Materio has applied once again to "serve" on the Lake Worth CRA. Could it be that she wants the Dixie Corridor developed to help her business?

Commissioner Sarah Malega, who nominated Materio, chastised her colleagues on the dais for rejecting Materio while they "rubber-stamped two other recent nominees to the CRA." Actually, she was "pissed" when her nominee was voted down on a 3/2 vote and walked out of the room, calling for a 5  minute break. Commissioner Malega said several times that she did "her due diligence" regarding Materio. But Sarah moved to Lake Worth three years after Shanon left the CRA and did not know the feelings of many in the community. With all that D&D she says she did, did she ask any residents, you know, those she serves?

In the case of Shanon Materio, the majority on the present dais voted her appointment down. That is democracy, no? There were reasons, whether revealed or not, as our commissioners want to work in a positive vein which is politically smart.

Read the article...

Lake Worth's Unique Character will change

Opponents consider legal action against redevelopment project replacing cottages

Although we've mentioned it before on this blog, the night that the Lake Worth City Commission approved of demolishing and/or moving some historic homes to make way for developers, the city's chamber was packed with people against. The commission didn't listen; it never does.

"Reached by phone Friday, Lake Worth Beach Mayor Pam Triolo said the city needs thoughtfully planned housing units and parking to boost the tax base and help provide foot traffic for downtown businesses." If you want foot traffic downtown, get some stores where people want to shop. Get rid of the lousy restaurants and reduce the number of bars.

And mayor, this is in the CRA's tax base and any tax revenues from increases in real property value, referred to as “increment,” are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area. So, good luck in the city's "boost" in taxes down the road. That increase will all go to the CRA and the city's portion is frozen as the commission continues to make one lousy decision after another.

Read about it...

Time to end the CRA

Time for Term Limits