BOCA RATON HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE DROPPED BY CITY BUT CORPORATIONS COULD CHIP IN TO SAVE IT

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Deep cuts in this year’s budget made to meet state legislative mandates eliminated funding for the Holiday Boat Parade, a traditional and popular local event. The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County has partnered with the city to run this annual event since 2003, when the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce dropped the event, but they cannot pay for the parade without the City’s contribution. However, they have said that if the City funds the Boat Parade next year, they will again participate. The City of Boca Raton has also cancelled funding for this year for the downtown concert series, Halloween Happenings and the Police Athletic League, though the PAL got $50,000. Other area boat parades planned include Parade of the Palm Beaches, and events in Boynton-Delray, Pompano Beach and the Winterfest in Ft. Lauderdale. Participation in the boat parade has dropped, but the association would increase the number of participating water craft to 45. Boats decorated for the holidays took part in the parade that traveled south on the ICW from Delray Beach to the Deerfield Beach border. Best entries received prizes in several categories. Boats would pull up along the shore and people donated items for a holiday “Toys for Tots” drive.

EMINENT DOMAIN USED FOR NEW WEST BOCA SCHOOL TO OPEN IN AUGUST 2009

Due to student growth, the acquisition of a new 20.197-acre site for $10-MM was recently approved by the School Board of Palm Beach County, to build a new West Boca Raton Elementary School. Location is 95^th Avenue South near West Boca Lake and Olympic Heights High School. An environmental audit is now complete, finding no concerns. With the owner unwilling to sell the property, the district has decided to exercise the option of eminent domain. While the process provides a fast taking of the property, negotiations with the owners are not limited in order to reach settlement either before or after the date of the “Order of Taking.” The school is scheduled to open in August 2009. This will provide enrollment relief for neighboring elementary schools including Whispering Pines, Sunrise Park, Sandpiper Shores and Del Prado Elementary schools and will be built to accommodate about 960 students. Traffic and parking concerns will be addressed.

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PARK AROUND BLUE LAKE MOVING FORWARD

Known as de Hoernle Park, in honor of Boca’s generous benefactor, the area around Blue Lake, formerly an IBM headquarters and acquired by Boca Raton, is being developed. A new dog park has opened; the library is back on track with development; plans are in the makings for an ice rink and a botannical gardens, but they won’t be ready any time too soon. With money short, the city will soon publish a request for proposals late this year or early next year (RFP) for developers who are interested in building a skating rink. Construction is planned for eight athletic fields in the southwest area, perhaps covered in artificial turf, using money from a bond issue, and the district will pay off the bond. While the architects are in the design process now, expecting 60% of the drawings to be available in October, the plans may include festooning of flower beds and criss-crossed walkways.

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NAR: A GOOD DAY FOR HOUSING… September 18, 2007

Along with “the FED” cutting the discount rate by half a percentage point, the House of Representatives passed the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007, HR 1852, offering homeowners a safer alternative to risky mortgage products, helping homeowners who may be facing foreclosure, increasing loan limits and eliminating the statutory 3% minimum cash down payment. Mortgage modifications will allow borrowers to change mortgage terms so they can afford to stay in their home. “Partial Claim” programs will cure a loan default with the FHA lending the borrower money with a no-interest loan due when the property is sold or paid off. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), America’s largest trade association, represents 1.3MM+ members involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate and is known as “The Voice for Real Estate.”

TWO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED BY WEST BOCA SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Four hour shifts needing volunteers for assisting with fingerprinting, providing forms and reporting accidents and incidents are available. Walk-in satellite offices for the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office are open 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday at 6787 Palmetto Circle North and 9378 South 210th Street, off Glades Road. Students seeking community service hours and retirees are welcome to apply. On the job one-on-one training is provided. Drivers are needed for mobile patrol units for shopping centers, houses of worship and schools 24/7. To apply call 561-483-4123.

LYONS ROAD BEING WIDENED FROM LINTON TO ATLANTIC

Toll Brothers, developers of Mizner Country Club, and County Commissioners will soon being working jointly. Toll was required to satisfy road improvement development requirements and will spend $3-MM while the county picks up $600,000 of the cost.

“WEST DELRAY REGIONAL PARK” IS NEW NAME OF 314-ACRE

More than a year and a half ago, the County approved a lease agreement with the South Florida Water Management District to use portions of the former Palm Beach Downs property to create new recreational facilities for park purposes and improvements are now nearly complete. Three South County homeowner associations were instrumental, including the West Boca Community Council, the Alliance of Delray and the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association. Included are lake frontage, a non-motorized canoe/kayak launching area, freshwater fishing, hiking/nature trail, mountain bike area, single table picnic areas with grills, modular toilets and parking. Permits are needed for use of the primitive camping area, archery, remote control airplane field, and boat lake. For general park information call 561-966-6600.