Leading the way to the City of Boynton Beach’s revitalization efforts, the Boynton Beach CRA purchased the Boynton Harbor Marina in 2006, and an adjacent 7,000 ft. waterfront parcel in 2007. The funds for the initial marina acquisition came from an $18.7 million bond, issued in December, 2005, and the CRA applied for and received $2 million from the county’s $50 million bond issue in 2009, which includes funds to preserve public marinas.
“The purchase and restoration of this marina has ensured our residents public access to the waterways for generations to come,” stated Boynton Beach Mayor and CRA Chair Jerry Taylor.
A $6 million renovation project is underway, designed to create a first rate public access facility for boating and fishing and shape Boynton Beach into a premier place for residents and businesses. More importantly, the Boynton Harbor Marina will be the first of four “marina villages” to be developed in Palm Beach County, outlined in the Marina Village Park master plan that addresses the area’s existing development, natural environment, and their relationship to a larger community.
Phase I of the Marina redevelopment, completed in April 2010, includes a complete redesign and construction of the marina dock facilities: submerged pilings damaged in previous hurricanes have been repaired and the original 24 slips were reconfigured to 19, larger slips to accommodate bigger boats. Renovations also provided updated electrical, exterior lighting, utility pads, and two new fish cleaning stations.
A new, “lighthouse” entry feature was installed in July, 2011, and two art scupltures, purchased by the CRA, are on display in the Key West/Old Florida-style entryway park off of Ocean Avenue and Casa Loma Blvd.
An inviting, “lighthouse” entry way feature welcomes guests to the Boynton Harbor Marina.
Work on Phase II, scheduled for completion in 2013, includes a new dock master building and development of a pedestrian waterfront promenade.
For more information on this exciting, downtown destination, logon to boyntonharbormarina.com.
