The City of West Palm Beach, it's CRA, and the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority are rolling out an innovative idea on Flager Drive.

Six-tenths of a mile between Banyan Blvd and Lakeview Ave will go from two northbound and two southbound lanes to one north and one southbound lane.

The two easternmost lanes will be turned into a sort of linear park for pedestrians. The "Flagler Shore" Pedestrian experiment will be ongoing to encourage people to ride their bikes, walk, picnic, be creative, and communicate with each other along Flagler Drive. It's a way for the city to try on new concepts before committing to large expenditures of funds.

This temporary 5-month experiment will take place from October 7, 2017, through March 1, 2018.

Also on this episode of City Voice, we discuss what a prestigious $180,000 Grant from the Knight Foundation will be used for on Clematis Street.

THE INTERVIEW:

My conversation is with Sherryl Muriente. She is the new Manager of Urban Placemaking for the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority.

She is an Urban Designer who specializes in "Urban Acupuncture" designs. 

Show links:

Flagler Shore Information

On this week's City Voice Podcast my conversations are with Assistant West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Chief Brent Bloomfield and Kerlyne McHenry.

Assistant Chief Bloomfield is also the City of West Palm Beach Emergency Manager.

Kerlyn McHenry is an Industrial Engineer for the City of West Palm Beach who is actively sitting in as the City Operations Manager.

We discuss:

Asst. Chief Bloomfield

* Grades the City and residents performance and preparedness.

* Tells us about residents at Savannah Court Assisted Living Facility and how the City of West Palm Beach stepped in on behalf of residents after the storm was over and had no A/C. He also explains how he felt while helping those people. 

* How West Palm Beach Fire Rescue partnered with the West Palm Beach Police Department to rescue a family from their home during the hurricane (while the weather was coming into their home) with an armored SWAT vehicle

Kerlyn McHenry

* Explains how The City of West Palm Beach partnering with FEMA to help more residents than ever at no cost to residents

* We put the amount of vegetation picked up in football terms

* Gives the project estimate on how long before trash, bulk, and yard waste pickups get back to normal.

* Explains what residents need to know to help the city get it done.

This Podcast was originally sent out just before Hurricane Irma arrived in West Palm Beach.

Understandably, many of you were busy with Irma. I feel our drinking water is a very important issue

worthy of your consideration. Hence the repost.

In a recent West Palm Beach City Commission meeting, I heard residents urge the City to keep fighting

the construction of a State Rd 7 Extension (hear their comments) in our water catchment area (where we catch rainwater that becomes our drinking water).

I thought it was too late for residents to work against this issue (listen and find out if that is correct)

I wanted to confirm where the City of West Palm Beach stands on this issue as of now. So I spoke to Mayor Jeri Muoio. (hear her comments)

I also wasn't clear that our Grassy Waters Preserve / West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area supplies the drinking water to the entire

City Of West Palm Beach, Town of Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach.

I needed an expert on this issue.

THE CITY VOICE PODCAST INTERVIEW

Lisa Interlandi: She is Senior Staff Council at the Everglades Law Center

Some Mostly Useless thoughts on Hurricane Irma. 

Spaghetti Model Zombie Stare

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Fear

Not underestimating the power of...

The latest on West Palm Beach from Mayor Jeri Muoio.

Know Your Zone http://pbcgov.com/knowurzone

City of West Palm Beach Storm info http://www.wpb.org/storm

 

In a recent West Palm Beach City Commission meeting, I heard residents urge the City to keep fighting

the construction of a State Rd 7 Extension (hear their comments) in our water catchment area (where we catch rainwater that becomes our drinking water).

I thought it was too late to work against this issue (listen and find out if that is correct)

I wanted to confirm where the City of West Palm Beach stands on this issue as of now. So I spoke to Mayor Jeri Muoio. (hear her comments)

I also wasn't clear that our Grassy Waters Preserve / West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area supplies the drinking water to

the entire City Of West Palm Beach, Town of Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach.

I needed an expert on this issue.

THE CITY VOICE PODCAST INTERVIEW

Lisa Interlandi: She is Senior Staff Council at the Everglades Law Center

 

Doesn't it ever seem to you that we don't see the best in others or ourselves until the worst happens?

Without fail when a storm like Harvey, Sandi or Andrew hit we the best in people.

Of course, we can never forget how America and much of the world stood together after 911.

People give, they show up, they rescue, and they do this for complete strangers.

I love it and I'm always inspired by it.

Understood, it's not likely to be that kind togetherness and US attitude all the time every day.

But, it does seem we could do much better in finding ways to be more US and less US and Them.

This podcast is my thoughts on US.

The City of West Palm Beach has been working on a Bicycle Master Plan. It may be a game changer.

It's part of an overall effort to improve mobility, create a sense of place, and generally improve quality of life.

THE INTERVIEW:

Uyen Dang is the City of West Palm Beach Transportation Engineer who is heading up the Bicycle Master Plan work.

Show Links:

Bicylce Master Plan Update pdf

The City of West Palm Beach has become known for it's amazing year round downtown events.

Mary Pinak, City of West Palm Beach Community Events Manager, has been at the creative center of every Downtown West Palm Beach event for the last 28 years.

THE INTERVIEW:

In this episode of City Voice, Mary Pinak talks about downtown events and dates.

My favorite part of this episode is hearing Mary tell the inside back story of where Clematis by Night and Sandi The Christmas Tree

came from and how they got their names.

Episode Links:

West Palm Beach Community Events Calendar and Information

Clematis By Night

Want to be a part of it all and become a Sponsor?

This evening (08/18/17) all seventeen members of The President's Committee On The Arts And Humanities have resigned.

This episode is the content of their powerful letter to the President.