Jan Engoren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
February 29, 2016
SWA awards 7 grants for communities to fight blight
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County recently approved seven projects and awarded grants to local community redevelopment agencies totaling $500,000 to clean up and beautify properties.
"We are proud to be able to award these grants as an additional benefit from revenues generated from the supplemental waste used to fill the excess capacity at our new waste to energy facility," said SWA Executive Director Mark Hammond. "It's encouraging to see organizations like the city of Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency submit such a worthwhile project to enhance the heart of their redevelopment area."
The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency received $62,310 for the Heart of Boynton Neighborhood Improvement Project to expand and redevelop the Sara Sims Center, redevelop Northeast Fourth and Fifth avenues and improve the public works facade.
"The city and CRA are very grateful to the... Authority for approving our grant," said Boynton Beach CRA Executive Director Vivian Brooks. "The community will benefit by having a better looking community on its way to full redevelopment."
Lake Worth received $72,700 for improvements to the Armory Art Annex/Lake Worth Community Arts Center.
Delray Beach received $63,200 for the demolition and clearance of blighted residential properties, including four near Atlantic Avenue.
The funds will be distributed on condemned properties or properties deemed unsafe in areas with more than 50 percent low- to moderate-income households to demolish structures; remove demolition products, rubble and other debris; remove junk vehicles and scrap materials; remove environmental contaminants and make improvements for future development.
"This is a perfect example of how to leverage funds so that dollars can be used locally," said Delray CRA Assistant Director Thuy Shutt, noting that receiving the grant allows the city to deploy dollars for other needed projects.
"We're happy to get these eyesore properties removed for neighboring residents," she said. "It's a good opportunity for all involved. It creates a better use of properties and improves the aesthetics of the community."