This one really came out of nowhere! I guess that is how some of the best news arrives sometimes, and that is certainly the case for Riviera Beach. Just a month or 2 ago we blogged about how Riviera Beach held a bulk auction of many blighted homes. It seemed like good progress for a city that has really struggled over the years with everything from crime to corruption. But finally, someone is ready to invest a lot of money to completely change the City. That guy is Bob Healey (along with his brother Bill) and the amount is $336 million. He is the owner of Viking Developers LLC and Viking Yachts. They, along with the City, plan on redeveloping the marina, renovating Bicentennial Park ($4 million for that alone!), adding an event center, farmer’s green market, retail, residential and office space. This will all happen in phases, in a public private partnership with the City. The first $30 million dollar phase starts April 10th. They are trying to create a village like atmosphere that can be built upon in the later stages. The first phase will include the event center, which will seat 300 people, a full service restaurant, a café and rooftop terrace to the event center and the renovation of Bicentennial Park. This will be extensive and include a covered area for a stage, concession area and an interactive fountain. Everything else will be built in later stages. While this will not transform the City overnight it is a hell of a start. It is true that there is only so much waterfront property out there and there is no reason why this can’t eventually be successful. With all the suffering Riviera Beach has endured, they deserve this and I really hope they get it. Everything seems lined up perfectly and they have money and a good plan in place. If this happens it will put even more pressure on West Palm Beach, who would be the only city in the region struggling.
Viking Developers gearing up to create Riviera Beach waterfront marina village
Orin Rosenfeld
President
Rosenfeld Realty Advisors
9858 Glades Rd. Suite 209
Boca Raton, FL 33434
Phone: 561-756-1665
Fax: 561-470-0707
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