Riviera Beach makeover under way

A vacant former USA Insurance building at 2601 Broadway was torn down in Riviera Beach yesterday, signaling a wave of redevelopment to come in the Palm Beach County city.

The Community Redevelopment Agency, which paid $1.2 million for the block, is spending $200,000 on renovations and landscaping of neighboring buildings to be completed by next summer, the Palm Beach Post reported. These properties contain Ashley’s Home Cooking restaurant, Dairy Belle Ice Cream and Cash America Pawn. About 60 residents gathered yesterday for the demolition of the one-story USA Insurance site.

The state will wrap its $12.8 million project on U.S. 1 next summer as well. And the $30 million Bicentennial Park project including a three-story community hall and marina repairs will kick off construction in April.

“The new facade, tearing down that old building and fixing up U.S. 1 gives us curb appeal,” Dairy Belle manager Royanna Afton told the Palm Beach Post. “This city is making progress.” [Palm Beach Post] — Mark Maurer