County commissioners agreed Sept. 18 to provide the town of Mangonia Park with up to $5 million for water and wastewater improvements.
The financial boost is intended to support the redevelopment of a long-vacant 52-acre property, known as Don King Arena, at 1415 45th St. The property, which is the largest undeveloped parcel east of Interstate 95 in South Florida, could soon be slated for as many as 2,000 apartments.
Town Manager Ken Metcalf told commissioners several developers have expressed interest in pursuing a mixed-use project that would include a commercial component as well as much-needed affordable housing.
County commissioners have agreed to provide the town with
$5 million to help pay for water and wastewater improvements needed to support the project. The parcel is the largest undeveloped parcel east of I-95 in South Florida.
Tri-Rail proximity seen as advantage for redevelopment
Commissioner Marci Woodward, who serves on the board that oversees Tri-Rail, said the project could help boost ridership on the commuter rail. "This is something that is reallty needed," she said.
Town Manager Ken Metcalf told commissioners that a stumbling block to the development is the cost of bringing in water and sewer.
With real estate developers in a near-frenzy to build new apartments and condominiums in West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, Mangonia Park's location between these two cities makes it a sudden hotspot. Metcalf said in an interview that he gets calls every week from developers interested in building a project.
"The property is very important to the town, and very important to the region," he said.
The county will be using up to $5 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds for the project. The number of residential units and the type of commercial uses has not yet been deterimined but Metcalf said anywhere from 1,500-2,000 apartments could be built.
The federal program aims to restore vacant, foreclosed, and abandoned properties to productive residential use for low- and moderate-income persons. The developer must build affordable housing for households earning no more than 80% of the area median income, or $102,800 for a family of four.
Commissioner Maria Sachs said the project should be profitable enough for the selected developer to pay for water and sewer. The county, she argued, should not have to pay for this. But her colleagues agreed with Metcalf that the county should work with Mangonia to spur redevelopment of the site that will generate significant tax revenue for the county and the town.
Assistant County Administrator Jonathon Brown noted that the county’s contribution will ensure the commission will have oversight over what is eventually built.
“This makes us a partner,” he said.
Mike Diamond is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: County backs $5 million for Don King Arena Mangonia Park redevelopment
