In an ongoing push to revitalize West Palm Beach’s Coleman Park neighborhood, a nonprofit is putting together land for a mixed-use residential development.
City commissioners on Tuesday voted to give 0.85 acres of publicly owned lots to nonprofit Quantum Foundation, which is working through its Palm Beach Venture Philanthropy division to breathe life into Coleman Park, the Palm Beach Post reported. The foundation will acquire additional nearby lots for the project or give some of its own parcels, all along or near Tamarind Avenue and 20th Street.
Quantum Foundation is looking for a developer to build the project, completion of which is expected in about five years.
The lots the city transferred are planned for three residential projects, including two for-sale developments and a third for a mixed-use complex with apartments. At least 40 percent of residential units will be affordable or workforce housing.
Workforce housing generally is designated for households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income, though in some communities it could also be for those earning up to 140 percent of the AMI.
Palm Beach County’s annual AMI is $107,600, according to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
The project also is to include a grocery store, library, offices for community organization and a gathering space.
West Palm has experienced a downtown development boom over the past half-decade, largely driven by billionaire developer Steve Ross homing in on the area with multiple office, apartment and condo projects.
Yet, parts of the city still are struggling, including Coleman Park, a historically Black neighborhood.
The life expectancy at Coleman Park is on average 68 years, less than the countywide of 82 years, according to Quantum Foundation, which cited U.S. Census data.
“If you’re born and raised in a community of persistent poverty, you are subjected to conditions that tend to lead to poor health outcomes,” Raphael Clemente, executive director of Palm Beach Venture Philanthropy, told the publication.
The nonprofit already has invested more than $8 million into Coleman Park. It also plans to bring a pop-up library, green market and movie nights, and it is covering the cost of bus shelters at two bus stops.
— Lidia Dinkova
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