Boynton Beach CRA

The Boynton Beach CRA has released 2 Invitations to Bid. Please read all specifications and requirements on the links below. Invitation to Bid for Event Equipment Rentals and Other Related Services: https://lnkd.in/eB-_Jgkc Invitation to Bid for Power Related Equipment Rentals: https://lnkd.in/ekpRTRup

BBCRA Wins Prestigious 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) is excited to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award for Economic Development Agency of the Year by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Each year, the IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, and programs that demonstrate outstanding performance in the field of economic development. This year’s competition saw over 500 entries across 26 categories, with 146 organizations receiving 238 awards. The BBCRA stood out for its commitment to revitalizing Boynton Beach through a variety of innovative programs and initiatives. Why BBCRA Was Recognized? The BBCRA was selected for this prestigious honor because of its innovative and comprehensive approach to fostering local economic development and community engagement. Key initiatives that contributed to the BBCRA receiving this award include: Coastal Cruiser Rideshare Program: An eco-friendly transportation solution that enhances mobility for residents and visitors, providing convenient access to local businesses, attractions, and services in the BBCRA district. Affordable Housing - Heart of Boynton Village Apartments and Shops: A transformative development providing much-needed affordable housing options while integrating retail spaces to support local commerce. This project reflects the BBCRA’s commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in the Heart of Boynton neighborhood. Commercial Business Grants: The BBCRA offers various grant programs to assist new and existing businesses with rent reimbursement and building improvements. These grants help stimulate economic growth and ensure the continued success of small businesses in the area. Business Booster Workshop Series: Designed to empower local business owners with knowledge and tools to grow their enterprises, the Business Booster Workshop Series offers training on topics such as strategic planning, marketing, and financial management. Business Promotional Activations: Specially tailored activations like Rock the Plaza and the Boynton Beach Night Market bring the community together while promoting local businesses. These activations provide a platform for local merchants to connect with residents, increase visibility, and boost sales. BBCRA staff is incredibly honored by this recognition and remains committed to continuing efforts to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life within Boynton Beach. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and initiatives from the BBCRA! Learn more about upcoming projects and initiatives that are in the pipeline for FY 2024-2025. 

BBCRA Named Finalist for 2024 Structures Award for Best Mixed-Use Project

The BBCRA is thrilled to share that we have won eight prestigious SUNsational Awards at the 2024 Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) Convention! For over 20 years, the FFEA has been a driving force in enhancing Florida's festival, event, and fair industry, and their SUNsational Awards highlight innovation, creativity, and collaboration across the state. With more than 500 entries from both public and private organizations, our team is honored to have stood out in such a competitive field. Our awards include: 1st Place Promotional Mailer – Holiday Boat Parade T-Shirt – Holiday Boat Parade Promotional Item – Enchanted Market at the Boynton Beach Pirate Fest Photo Opp Area – Enchanted Market at the Boynton Beach Pirate Fest 2nd Place Promotional Video – Boynton Beach Spring Market Photo – Boynton Beach Night Market 3rd Place Billboard/Signage – Boynton Beach Night Market Photo – Enchanted Market at Boynton Beach Pirate Fest At the BBCRA, we are committed to spotlighting businesses and redevelopment initiatives within the BBCRA area through our free business promotional events and incentive campaigns. These initiatives are designed to support locally-owned businesses by providing them with unique opportunities to connect with event attendees and showcase their offerings. We are incredibly proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing our efforts to #SupportLocal and make Boynton Beach a vibrant, thriving community!

Art is a powerful tool. Art in redevelopment has the power to connect, celebrate, and transform a community. The newly installed mural at the northwest corner of E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Federal Highway commemorates the Heart of Boynton community and its vibrant culture. The artwork completed by muralist, Craig McInnis is the result of the City of Boynton Beach’s Unity Project. But the transformation doesn’t stop with the mural. In September 2023, the City demolished the structure located on the parcel to the south of the mural located at 1101 N. Federal Highway and transferred the lot the BBCRA for future redevelopment of an entryway feature onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Improvements of the site will include lighting, landscaping, art, and a small walking path which will enhance the beauty of the mural. The BBCRA recently enlisted the services of AW Architects Inc. to develop three conceptual designs for a passive park/entry feature on the vacant parcel. We invite you to attend the October 8, 2024, Board Meeting to participate in the presentation. Together, the mural and entry feature park will be a shiny example of how art and outdoor spaces can transform a corridor. Visit https://lnkd.in/ggFdUf8R to learn more about this project. 

Heart of Boynton Village Apartments & Shops The County was also an important partner in this project as they awarded $1,499,500 in State Housing Initiative Partnerships Program (SHIP) funding and $330,977 in impact fee credits to the project. This public-private partnership was essential to the success of the project and kept the project on track when the developer was faced with post-pandemic increase in construction costs. With local public dollars involved, the commercial component was added to the project to serve the new and existing residents in the Heart of Boynton. Furthermore, with the CRA’s land and leveraged funds, the CRA was able to negotiate favorable terms with CMC to market the commercial space to community serving small businesses and a rent cap for 10 years. It is anticipated the Heart of Boynton Village Apartments will be completed by the end of Spring 2023 and the Shops component to be completed shortly thereafter.

Heart of Boynton Village Apartments & Shops Because the commercial component of the project plays a such vital role in activating the E. MLK Jr. Boulevard Corridor, the BBCRA committed $2,025,815 towards the construction of some of the improvements to the commercial tenant spaces. This funding will help offset the initial build-out costs associated with the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and ADA accessible bathrooms in each tenant space and also includes the build-out for the 1,055 square foot Neighborhood Officer Program office. The other commercial uses consist of a full-service restaurant, a fast-casual restaurant, a professional service business, a hair salon, and a medical office. In total, the BBCRA has committed approximately $4.7 million towards the success of the project. 

Heart of Boynton Village Apartments & Shops What makes the project possible is the public-private partnership. CMC was awarded funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s (FHFC) 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funding Program (LIHTC). The BBCRA provided the land for free as part of the competitive developer selection process that resulted in a Purchase and Development Agreement, $625,750 to reimburse the City for the FHFC required local match, and $1,638,280 of additional Tax Increment Revenue funding dispersed over a 15-year term. The BBCRA also committed an additional $433,008 to help offset the increase in construction costs from the COVID-19 pandemic for the residential portion of the project.

Heart of Boynton Village Apartments & Shops On June 18, 2018, the Boynton Beach CRA issued a Request for Proposals and Developer Qualifications for a development project utilizing the BBCRA owned properties along the E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor between N. Seacrest Boulevard and Federal Highway in the Heart of Boynton District. The BBCRA identified incentives such as land, direct funding, design or site plan assistance, and infrastructure support to the private sector developer to make the desired redevelopment project more attractive and financially feasible. In September 2019, the BBCRA entered into a Purchase and Development Agreement with Centennial Management Corp. (CMC) for the redevelopment project which consists of 124 affordable multi-family units as well as 8,250 square feet of leasable neighborhood serving commercial space. On March 4, 2022, the BBCRA and CMC celebrated the groundbreaking with City officials and community members who have long advocated and pushed for new redevelopment of the corridor. After many failed attempts to bring commercial activity back to the corridor, the Heart of Boynton Village Apartments and Shops groundbreaking was a victory for many.