Community and Opportunity
Community and Opportunity
West Palm Beach is a City of involvement, opportunity and growth with a sense of community. The character of the City is shaped by the people, the neighborhoods and the businesses. Mayor Keith A. James believes in highlighting the best of the best, welcoming community improvements, visitors and honoring the past.
Tributes, proclamations, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and welcoming new businesses and organizations as they set down roots is a small part of making West Palm Beach a community of opportunity for all. It is with great pride that the City gets involved, stays involved and welcomes all.
Leadership West Palm Beach Class of 2025
The 25-members of Leadership West Palm Beach met with Mayor Keith A. James Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at City Hall to discuss government operations and the essential services government workers provide. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Leadership WPB provides insights and opportunities to enrich the skills of class members. The program is open to employees who live and work in the City of West Palm Beach.
Mayor Keith A. James and the City of West Palm Beach
Hosted the African American Mayors Association
4th Quarter Board Meeting
Mayors from throughout the country met in West Palm Beach Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, for the quarterly African American Mayors Association (AAMA) Board of Directors meeting at the West Palm Beach Marriott. Mayor Keith A. James and City staff provided tours of City projects within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Mayor James also hosted two fireside chats with Stephen Ross, of Related Ross, and Ray McGuire of Lazard global financial services.
Mayor's Jumpstart Academy - Helping New Entrepreneurs Thrive
Mayor Keith A. James’ Jumpstart Academy (MJA) is the centerpiece of his vision of making West Palm Beach a community for all. The MJA provides business guidance, mentorship and financial principles to new entrepreneurs seeking to grow a business, or an idea, into a thriving small business.
Mayor James welcomed 10 enterprising members to the kickoff and orientation for the fall cohort on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Eva W. Mack Community Hub, 1540 N. Australian Avenue. Upon completion of the program, each business will be awarded a seed grant to help grow the business. You can learn more about the program here.
"Portals" at One Flagler
"Portals," the largest public art project by renown artist Fred Eversley, was unveiled on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, outside of the One Flagler complex along the West Palm beach waterfront. Mayor Keith A. James joined with the artist and officials of Related Ross to dedicate the work.
La Maison de Paris Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Mayor Keith A. James cuts the ribbon with, from left, a Can Can dancer, George Atrach, Matthew Atrach, Denise Bacha, Mirielle Awad and Alex Awad, owners, La Maison de Paris, Mayor James, Teneka James-Feaman, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director, and a Can Can dancer.
Honoring Our Veterans
Mayor Keith A. James proclaimed the month of November 2024 as Veterans Appreciation Month. The purpose of Veterans Appreciation Month is to provide a proper tribute to those who served in the various branches of the U.S. military, returning and active duty, veterans and retirees from all wars, and to encourage out community to support all veterans. Four City employees accepted the proclamation on behalf of the many veterans who work for the City.
In on the presentation are, from left, Tim Scott, Risk Manager (Navy), Susanleidy Rodriguez, HR Technician (Army), Renee Govig, Chief Human Resources Officer for The City of West Palm Beach, Mayor Keith A. James, Sebastian Arviso, Safety Officer (Army), Thomas Kieffer, Firefighter (Coast Guard).
2024 Annual Veterans Day Parade
Celebrating 25 Years of the Performing Arts, Palm Beach Dramaworks
Mayor Keith A. James joined with numerous officials to honor Palm Beach Dramaworks on it's 25th anniversary of bringing theatrical performances to the City of West Palm Beach. This year, Palm Beach DramaWorks will bring it's 120th production to life in Downtown West Palm Beach. Celebrating with the ceremonial ribbon cutting are, from left, Michael Zeff, President / CEO Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Rudina Toro, CFO/COO Palm Beach Dramaworks, William Hayes and Sue Ellen Beryl, co-founders of Palm Beach Dramaworks, US Rep. Lois Frankel, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James, and State Rep. Kelly Skidmore.
Rinkside at The Ben
Mayor Keith A. James cut the ribbon Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 to open the only outdoor ice skating rink in South Florida. This unique outdoor activity is located at The Ben, 251 North Narcissus Avenue, and is open daily. Developed with Ice America, the skating rink is a seasonal, temporary facility located across the street from the hotel. It will be up until March 2025. The facility offers skate rentals and, for those not so skilled on the ice, options for young ones and family members to glide along pushing an ice "seal."
The Vine Topping Off Ceremony
Mayor Keith A. James joined with officials of Navarro Lowrey, Inc., SpinaORourke + Partners and Verdex Construction for the topping out ceremony for five-story, 88-unit Vine on Clematis apartment complex. The complex includes 13 units reserved for workforce housing residents.
Groundbreaking at The Spruce
The City of West Palm Beach joined with Affiliated Development and Verdex Construction on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 to break ground for The Spruce, a 270-luxury apartment in the heart of the Historic Northwood Village. The eight-story complex is located just about one mile from Downtown West Palm Beach and is a centerpiece of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) projects.
Groundbreaking at The Spruce
Digging in are, from left, City Commissioner Shalonda Warren, Rex Kirby, Jr., president of Verdex Construction, Jeff Burns, CEO, Affiliated Development, Mayor Keith A. James, Nick Rojo, president Affiliated Development, Asst. City Administrator Armando Fana, Jennifer Ferriol, director Housing and Community Development, and Chris Roog, director West Palm Beach CRA.
Chatting at the groundbreaking
Jeff Burns, CEO Affiliated Development, and Major Keith A. James
Mayor addresses gathering
Mayor Keith A. James addresses the gathering at The Spruce groundbreaking.
The Spruce conceptual design
The Spruce design (courtesy Affiliated Development)
NORA Hotel
The City of West Palm Beach joined with BD Hotels in breaking ground Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 for the new 5-story, 201-room, boutique NORA Hotel in the NORA (North Railroad District) at 445 10th Street. Mayor Keith A. James welcomed the developers, BD Hotels, NDT Development, Place Projects and Wheelock Street Capital, and builder Moss Construction to the event.
You may still view a few of the past events.