Anchor Site
The parcels located at the west end of the east/west streets in Northwood Village are collectively referred to as the anchor site. The site is a key component of the entire redevelopment of Northwood Village and will serve as a focal point for the district. A RFQ will be issued in November 2011.
CRA staff in conjunction with the City of West Palm Beach Planning Department completed zoning changes in order to maximize the development potential of the site in order to jump start additional development. In 2010, the CRA worked with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to conduct a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to discuss the development potential for the CRA owned properties in Northwood Village and Pleasant City. The Panel analyzed the market conditions, current zoning regulations, potential build-out and existing infrastructure, including public spaces, parking and uses. The Panels recommendation for the CRA owned properties in Northwood Village, also know as the anchor site was to “…require that any development create and maintain the traditional urban form of Northwood Village. Placing higher density development (five stories, for example) with a linear park and/or greenway along the FEC railway and tapering down to two and three stories fronting Northwood Road and Broadway in order to create a more Pedestrian-scaled environment.” (See below for Anchor Site location within Northwood Village.)
Due to unfavorable market conditions, and the lack of new construction, in 2011, the CRA staff created a CRA Property Development Action Plan (the Plan). The Plan outlined the redevelopment of the properties owned by the CRA. The 3 properties located on the west-end of Northwood Road, formerly included in the Anchor Site, known as 550, are included in the Plan. Keeping with the TAP recommendations, and input from the public, it was determined that 550 will be redeveloped as follows: the eastern building will be renovated into a Gallery space which would be supported by residents of Lot 23 (See below) , the center building will be removed and designed into public open space which supports the monthly Northwood Village Art and Wine Promenade. The western building will be leased out as a restaurant space.
LOT 23
In keeping with the vision for Blum Park, adopted in the Pleasant City Citizens’ Master Plan, the CRA purchased two (2) public housing buildings located adjacent to the Anchor Site on 23rd Street, just south of Northwood Village. The strategy was to relocate the public housing units that were adjacent to Blum Park and to “flip” the Park to be adjacent to the Pleasant City Community Center. The construction of new townhomes was planned to face the newly located park. The decline in the market and the lack of financing, the project was put on hold. CRA staff met with neighborhood leaders and Lot 23 was formed.
LOT 23 is an art-centric, neighborhood-scale artist colony. At build-out, the project will be comprised of two four-unit apartment buildings, and a studio space not to exceed 20,000 square foot which will be new construction.
The CRA staff envisions that a diverse mix of artists will use the studio space, including artists who have their living quarters off-site. Types of artist will include visual (paint/drawing, ceramics, sculpture, carving, and carpentry), literary (writing/poetry), performing (dance/theatre/vocal), photography, music, and textiles. The studio space will also provide space for smaller performances and events as well as a retail component.
A large part of the mission of this project is for the artists to provide educational and outreach opportunities to the surrounding communities. It is anticipated that classes for both children and adults would be held in the studio space and possibly outdoors on the site. Events at LOT 23 will be integrated with the monthly Art and Wine Promenade.