Northwest Boca keeps growing while downtown nears its development cap
A downtown building cap, three ballot results and free counseling for kids.
Downtown Boca has built almost all of the 8 million square feet its rules allow. Across the county, voters approved all three local ballot questions.
The council approved Bertani, an eight-story, 60-unit apartment building on Broken Sound Parkway, on Oct. 27. Projects on the northwest side have come at a rapid pace. The Eclipse, with 494 apartments, and the Link at Boca, with 340, are already rising. Related Ross has not yet announced plans for the 124-acre BRiC campus it recently bought.
Downtown has less room. Ordinance 4035 caps downtown development at 8 million square feet, and almost all of it is built. Officials are expected to revisit the cap, but no date is set. The council did approve a 12-story Mr. C Residences condo at 14 SE Fourth St. on Oct. 26. Architect Derek Vander Ploeg still says downtown is "not even halfway done." He points to Royal Palm Place and to Mizner Park, which is up for sale.
Red Reef, Spanish River and South Inlet reopen to swimmers after a bacteria advisory
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a no-swim advisory on Oct. 28 over Enterococcus bacteria. Boca's beaches at South Inlet, Red Reef and Spanish River parks reopened Nov. 3 after it was lifted. Tests had shown water failing state criteria for the bacteria, a warning sign of fecal contamination. Boca also added South Beach Park to the list as a precaution, though its water was not tested.
The advisory was lifted after Nov. 2 testing. Health officials did not directly link it to the recent weather and tides. Samples are collected every Monday. Swimmers can check lifeguard chalkboards or the Florida Healthy Beaches website.
Duffy's in West Boca draws eight violations, then a clean follow-up
A state inspector cited Duffy's Sports Grill at 20465 State Road 7 in West Boca for eight violations on Oct. 29. Five were labeled high priority. The restaurant was not ordered to close. Sour cream on the cook line measured 81 degrees, and a stop sale was issued. Soups and stuffing on the steam table were held below 135 degrees and were put back on the stove to reheat. A bar employee handled dirty glasses and then made drinks without washing hands, which was corrected on site. A follow-up inspection on Oct. 30 found no violations.
County voters renew 1 Mill for Schools and approve parks and library bonds
The school district's 1-mill property tax will keep running from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. Palm Beach County voters renewed the existing levy with 77% of the vote. The money goes to school safety, mental-health services, arts and career teachers, and teacher pay. Spending would continue under an independent citizens committee.
With 66% of the vote, the county won authority to borrow up to $280 million in general-obligation bonds for parks and recreation facilities. Those bonds are backed by property taxes and repaid over no more than 20 years. With 64%, the Palm Beach County Library District won authority for up to $175 million in general-obligation bonds for library facilities. Those are repaid through property taxes within the Library District over no more than 20 years.
Rales JFS offers up to 10 free counseling sessions for kids
A grant Rales Jewish Family Services recently received from the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department pays for free counseling for children. Families with kids ages 5 to 17 can get up to 10 sessions. Children meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist, and a few family sessions can be added if needed. Families must financially qualify. CEO Danielle Hartman said many parents are putting off counseling because of rising health care and household costs. Parents can call JFS at (561) 852-3333.
After a Sammy Hagar tour, Spider Cherry plans a move to original music
Spider Cherry, also known as Nathan Mercado, has played South Palm Beach County bars and clubs for more than a decade. This past summer he joined Sammy Hagar's international tour, a breakout moment for the local musician. He says he saves what he can and puts the money back into his music. He has released the singles "Little Bit Shy" and "Feel My Noise," plus a new one, "Cradle Eyes." He is putting together a larger band for an original project. His goal is to move from covers to originals, and from cover bars to bigger shows. He also asks why he should give up cover gigs to do it.