Summer guide: What's new with growth and development in Palm Beach County
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A hundred years from now, historians may point to this time in Palm Beach County's history as its boom time – as far as growth goes, the roaring 20s are here.
Many projects that have been in the works for years are finally coming to fruition, while new enterprises are also coming together. A look at what's upcoming:
West Palm chooses local group of Black residents to manage Sunset Lounge
West Palm Beach officials chose a local-based operator for the Sunset Lounge on Monday night, capping a protracted process that pitted a non-Black Miami-based group against one led by Black residents eager to oversee the return of a venue that was once the cultural hub of the city's largely Black Northwest neighborhood.
More: Photos inside the renovated Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach.
The city's Community Redevelopment Agency, which purchased the 1920s-era supper club and a nearby parcel in 2015, must still negotiate a contract with the winning bidder, Vita, LLC, a collection of restaurant, hotel management, accounting and food experts who came together in a bid to win management of the lounge.
That contract could be brought to Mayor Keith James and city commissioners, who serve as the CRA's board of directors, as soon as August.
Read more on Sunset Lounge: West Palm chooses local group of Black residents to manage Sunset Lounge
Westchester County Club in Boynton Beach plans apartments on its shuttered Par 3 course
Westchester Country Club in unincorporated Boynton Beach is expected to soon file plans with the county to build a 96-unit apartment complex on a 19-acre tract that was once its Par 3 golf course.
Management recently mailed a letter, a copy of which has been obtained by The Palm Beach Post, to communities that surround the golf course ininforming them of their plans for the parcel that is at the southeast corner of Pipers Glen Boulevard and Jog Road.
More on Westchester Country Club: Golf course wants apartments on its shuttered Par 3 course
West Palm Beach: A new municipal golf course, practice and learning facility and clubhouse
Construction is ongoing to build a new West Palm Golf Park as part of the city's deal with a not-for-profit developer tied to PGA of America that will refurbish and operate the city's 179-acre golf course, a major step forward in the years-long effort to bring the neglected course back to life.
City officials said the new facility, expected to be complete in 2023, will feature a Gil Hanse-designed 18-hole course, a nine-hole short course similar to his "Cradle" course at Pinehurst in North Carolina, a full short game area, two putting greens, a practice range, clubhouse and facilities.
The park will have a major focus on junior golfers with world-class coaching and golf experiences at affordable rates.
Jupiter: Maltz Theatre's $36 million renovation and expansion project
Jupiter's Maltz Theatre decided to take advantage of the shuttered theatre the past two years, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, to undergo a massive overhaul of the not-for-profit theatre at Indiantown Road and State Road A1A.
More: Photos show behind-the-scenes peek at newly renovated Maltz Jupiter Theatre
Among the additions:
A three-story tower on the southwest side of the building is made completely of glass. A brand-new donor lounge sits on the first floor, veiled by sheer curtains that reflect the glow of Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling.
On the third floor of the glass-sided tower is the jewel of the new theater expansion: Rehearsal space that mirrors the size of the stage three stories beneath it.
A second, black box-style theater that will sit 199 people and feature smaller events is still under construction next to the main stage.
Delray Beach: Sundy Village will add to vibrant Atlantic Avenue
Sundy Village, formerly known as Midtown Delray, is being reshaped into a mixed-use, outdoor-style location of retail, office space and 267 subterranean parking spaces on a seven-acre parcel along Atlantic and Swinton avenues.
The site also features The Sundy House boutique hotel, gardens and restaurant, and several historic homes.
Boca Raton: A new Brightline station
The idea for a Brightline train station stop in Boca Raton came about because the train service wasn't readily accessible to residents of southern Palm Beach County and northern Broward County, who were forced to drive 20 miles north or south to board the train.
The station and parking garage for Boca Raton is expected to be completed in the summer of 2022.
Ground was also broken on a new community garden at Meadows Park, which should be finished in time for the fall planting season.
Airports: Expansion at upgrades at PBIA, Boca Raton
Plans are to build a new fire rescue facility at Palm Beach International Airport that will cost $8 million, much of it coming from federal grants. PBIA wants to build the facility at another site on airport property.
Avelo, Sun Country and Breeze Airways are recent airline additions at PBIA. Breeze Airways is offering Saturday-only flights but it expects to increase its service and fly on additional days at PBIA.
South of PBIA, Atlantic Aviation signed a 40-year master lease agreement at the Boca Raton Airport. The agreement features a $40 million commitment from Atlantic Aviation to upgrade, enhance, and expand existing airport infrastructure. Among the improvements:
Addition of approximately 52,000 square feet of new hangar space and 12,000 square feet of new shop and/or office space.
Milling and paving approximately 710,000 square feet of existing ramp space.
Addition of approximately 50,000 square feet of new ramp space.
Renovation of the executive terminal office space.
Rehabilitation of the vehicle parking areas.
Construction of a new 90,000-gallon fuel farm.
South Palm Beach County: Widening on main highways and roads
Both Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95 are getting major expansion in the coming year.
In Boca Raton, after more than two years of construction, the Florida Department of Transportation is nearing completion of a $148 million project to remake I-95 by Glades Road.
Florida’s Turnpike is undergoing a massive, multi-year widening project. Currently, crews are working on a five-mile stretch north of Boynton Beach Boulevard and north of Lake Worth Road. It is a $170-million project that began in 2019. Four separate projects from the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County up to Boynton Beach Boulevard would eventually see the turnpike grow from six lanes to 10 lanes and could cost nearly $1.4 billion.
Boca Raton: Restaurant Row development adjacent to Town Center
Adjacent to the Town Center at Boca Raton, Restaurant Row will be a 22,500-square-foot, restaurant-only development expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.
The walkable complex will have outdoor dining space, valet service and five restaurant concepts – two of which are pre-leased to popular chains Pubbelly Sushi and El Camino. PEBB Enterprises is negotiating with multiple potential tenants based inside and outside of Florida.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New growth, development in Palm Beach County: golf course; airports
