This week on the City Voice Podcast I talk with Friederike Mittner, the City of West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Planner.

We talk about why the historic preservation of historic homes and commercial buildings is more than a permitting nuisance.  

She outlines:

Economic benefits

Job creation

Environmental benefits

Increasing property values in a variety of West Palm Beach neighborhoods.

Paint color guidelines?

Tax exemptions that come with your remodel

And more...

Economic benefits   economic_impact_summary-of-benefits_pdf

Nominate your historic rehab project or a neighbor's for official recognition. Nomination-Form

Visit the City of West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Dept.

Call the West Palm Beach Historic Preservation dept. (561)822-1457

 

On this week's City Voice Podcast, we discuss the Saturday, April 21 Northwood Village Grand Opening. It's a kind of celebration of Northwood Village but the focus is on eight new businesses.  (see below for business names and links)

The day will be filled with discounts and deals for shoppers, music and great food. Also eight ribbon cuttings by West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio.

Personally, I'm excited about this event because I know how much hard work went into it by business owners, residents, and the City Of West Palm Beach. Events like this build businesses but over the long term, they build community. You going and supporting this event makes our community stronger. 

My Guests this week:

Lourdes Sanchez, owner of Om Yoga and Wellness at 410 Northwood Rd in WPB. Lourdes is also the Executive Director for Northwood Main Street. Lourdes gives us the 411 on this Saturday's Grand Opening event!

Will Davis owns The Day By Day Shoppe (at 513 Northwood Rd in WPB) along with his husband Matt Chambers. Will explains why they opened in Northwood Village and what Frank Sinatra and his Mom had to do with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about Northwood Village:

http://www.northwoodvillage.com/

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           http://wpb.org/northwood/

Participating Grand Opening Businesses:                                                                                                                 COMING SOON IN NORTHWOOD VILLAGE

Wander Bracelets

415 Northwood Rd – New location with a new outdoor mural!

Chalakos Peruvian Bistro

511 Northwood Road

Thai Buddha Spa

511 B Northwood Road

Day By Day

513 Northwood Road

Alicia's Latin Cuisine

517 Northwood Road

Sophisticated Lash and Nails

444 25th Street

Vintage Journey

418 25th Street

Bombshell Boutique

435 25th Street    

Related Co. is proposing "One Flagler" a 25 story class-A office building. The proposed building is designed by renowned architect, David Childs, architect of the Freedom Tower/One World Trade Center. It would sit behind the historic First Church of Christ Scientist built in 1928. The Church is not currently protected as a landmark and has been approached by other developers regarding development. The congregation's hope is to remain in the Church. The One Flagler project proposes to keep the congregation in the Church, landmark the Church, create a conservation easement on the remaining buildable (approx) 1.25 acres and submerged land, and create a "substantial" fund in a trust that would keep the Church in its' current condition, in perpetuity.

The project requests a change to the master plan that would allow for this project to exceed the current five-story height limit.

I interview Harvey Oyer, attorney at Shutts & Bowen, who represents Related Co., and their effort to develop this proposed project.

At the end of my interview with Harvey Oyer, I give you my opinion on this project.

In this Special Update, to episode 005 of The City Voice Podcast, I speak with Margie Yansura of Wordsmith Communications and she BREAKS THE RESULTS NEWS. In this special shortened episode Margie gives us the results.

The Lord's Place held it's 10th annual Sleep Out Friday night 4/7/17 and had record breaking results thanks to their hard work, trust they have built, and residents stepping up and supporting an end to homelessness.

Diana Stanley, CEO of the Lord's Place says, "the solution is the homeless need a home". (There is a little more to it than that.) She explains.

I tell a personal story about homelessness.

Diana talks about the dollars and cents of homelessness and I ask her to explain why I should help. 

She also discusses the importance of the annual Sleep Out. You can but you don't have to "Sleep Out". Either way, come out and be a part of the solution on Friday, April 7th.

What I took away from talking with Diana Stanley is that the Sleep Out raises money for The Lord's Place to be able to help, but it's also about what people get out of the annual event, after it's over.

I love great food, so I was very curious to speak with Fred Niznik, who owns and operates The Butcher Shop along with has Father Igor "The Butcher" Niznik. 

More than the food I wanted to know why they picked West Palm Beach and why 209 6th Street, when most restaurants show up on Clematis. The location is set for an April 7 Grand Opening in the newly re-imagined seaplane hanger. We also discuss their history in Palm Beach County.

(See aerial photo of location and Grand Opening Invitation below)

 

SHOW NOTES: 

The original "The Butcher Shop" location first opened in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood in 2013. The new restaurant, located at 209 6th St., West Palm Beach, boasts a unique triple-play concept, blending a retail butcher shop with a full-service dining area and a German-style beer garden. Customers can dine in and enjoy Eastern European-inspired dishes and locally brewed and imported beers or purchase and take home fresh cuts of meat to cook for their family. It is located at 209 6th St., West Palm Beach, FL in the heart of West Palm Beach’s downtown district. For more information, visit butchershopwpb.com.

Customers can dine in and enjoy Eastern European-inspired dishes and locally brewed and imported beers or purchase and take home fresh cuts of meat to cook for their family. It is located at 209 6th St., West Palm Beach. 

WEBSITE: www.butchershopwpb.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/butchershopwpb

 

 

 

 

 

The West Palm Beach Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is like a "Swiss Army Knife" for the City of West Palm Beach when it comes to "things downtown".

This week on the City Voice Podcast I talk with Raphael Clemente the Executive Director of the DDA. He explains the Swiss Army Knife metaphor and much more.                                                                              

SHOW LINKS:

The DDA website  Here you will find email alerts, event calendars, how to do business in Downtown West Palm Beach. It's one stop shop for Downtown WPB.

Bourbon Sprawl   The Bourbon Sprawl is a Downtown Happy Hour programmed to appeal to planners, architects, new urbanists, and people who love great walkable downtowns.

This is the story of an American Citizen in Palm Beach County Florida and his undocumented wife.

They live in fear she may be taken away at any moment.

Hear their story and come to your own conclusions about the issue of immigration.

If you have comments or episode ideas for City Voice call the comment line and voice your thoughts. (561)247-3701

Is a "Road Diet" the most effective future for Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach?

What about all the traffic?

Is it just another beautification plan?

Who supports it?

How much will it cost?

When will it happen?

I discuss this and much more with the Urban Design Director for Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Dana Little.

Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

The most recent version of the "Road Diet" project.

If you have comments about this episode or an idea for another call the City Voice Comment line at (561)247-3701 and leave your comment.

(All or a portion may be used on the City Voice Podcast)

Welcome to the City Voice Podcast!

This is a brief introduction to the Podcast and to me Bill Newgent.

You can also click here to learn more about the podcast and Bill Newgent.