At his fourth State of the City address, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James declared 鈥渢he secret is out鈥� in touting the city as one of the country鈥檚 top destinations for residents and businesses, highlighting a 20-year low violent crime rate and rising property values.
He boasted about ongoing community redevelopment projects, better police engagement, and private-public partnerships as for why people are flocking to the city from the 鈥渉igh taxed northeast.鈥�
And James said socioeconomic rifts from across the country during the early stages of the pandemic didn鈥檛 derail growth in West Palm Beach.
鈥淲e adapted in the face of a global pandemic only to be followed by a season of discord in politics, cries for social justice that nearly divided our country in an uncertain economy,鈥� James said. 鈥淎nd, still, our city continues to thrive and maintain its status as a top choice in desired destinations for families, visitors, and for businesses wanting to relocate.鈥�
He said 30 new companies brought 3,600 鈥渉ighly compensated鈥� jobs last year with plans to bring an additional 1,000 jobs.
James, first elected in 2019, delivered his address during a breakfast meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where he doubled down on the claim that the city is the new 鈥淲all Street South.鈥�
But it wasn鈥檛 just x鈥檚 and o鈥檚 on the economic development front for the city of 170,000 people, the largest in the county. James hailed six city utility workers as heroes for rescuing a man who attempted suicide.
鈥淒uring the recognition ceremony, the men were so humble and unassuming and simply said, 鈥榤ayor it鈥檚 no big deal. We鈥檙e just doing our job.鈥� Well, you know, it鈥檚 a big deal to me,鈥� James said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e job as utility workers was not to save lives.鈥�
He also praised the city鈥檚 first responders. In 2022, city firefighters responded to a record 30,600 calls, 鈥渨hich broke the previous record of 30,000 in 2021. 鈥淭hat's about 84 calls a day,鈥� James said.
James will be sworn in for another four-year term in April. He鈥檚 running unopposed after a Judge ruled potential challenger, well-known restaurateur and businessman Rodney Mayo, as disqualified from running.
Alleviating housing challenges
In addressing the affordable housing crisis, James said the city 鈥渃annot leave any zip-codes behind鈥� as it experiences growth and prosperity.
港澳天下彩has previously reportedon the challenges of reducing rent and homeownership costs in Palm Beach County, which remains unaffordable for many long-time residents and new workers.
Through a new city ordinance, he said, officials are trying to incentivize 鈥渉eight and density for developers when they provide workforce housing in our downtown, and that does seem to be working.鈥�
The city also aims to address homelessness, adding 10 full-time employees tasked with outreach and matching people experiencing homelessness with resources, such as temporary housing, counseling, and mental health treatment.
And through 鈥淥peration Clean Streets,鈥� James said the city curbed illegal dumping in underserved communities, removing more than 170,000 pounds of illegally dumped trash, arresting 11 offenders and issuing 150 citations.
Addressing climate change issues
James stressed climate change issues surrounding sea level rise and stronger hurricanes and praised drainage improvements in flood-prone places such as Roosevelt Estates in the northwest part of the city.
He mentioned the 鈥渘early completed projects to address coastal flooding, resulting from sea level rise by installing tidal valves and additional storm drain outfalls along our waterfront.鈥�
Building new neighborhoods
The mayor described a few ongoing developments and revitalization efforts happening across the city, such as:
鈥� The new Fire Station 8 in the western side of town to the $23 million streetscape projects in the Historic Northwest, which includes the replacement of a 100 year old water main.
鈥� The $32 million renovation of Currie Park, which breaks ground later this year.
鈥� Mixed-use developments in the District of Northwood to the $170 million Nora, 鈥渢he next great neighborhood.鈥�
Maintaining city budget
Skyrocketing property values boosted the city's budget. Property values in West Palm Beach have increased by more than 25% since 2019. Last fiscal year, it increased by 17%.
The city oversees a balanced $225 million general fund budget for the current fiscal year, the largest in the city鈥檚 history, according to James, who noted that a financially stable city helps entice more developers.
Said James: Housing affordability issues remain a huge concern, but developers 鈥渞emain bullish on commercial development in the city.鈥�
