1400 Henrietta Avenue & Dreher Park Discussion

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Update: 11:15 AM

A reader responded to the story informing me there was a Boys and Girls Club
in Gaines Park, which is true. Here is why I still believe the club should be placed
on Henrietta Ave. A bus will take children to the Boys and Girls Club in Gaines Park
and getting home is their responsibility. Remember the reason for Henrietta Farm
was due to many residents who didn’t have transportation to shop at Publix, 2 miles away.

1400 Henrietta Av. to Gaines Park 1501 N Australian Ave. Walking distance

18 min. (0.9 mi) via 15th St. N. Australian Ave.

20 min. (1.0 mi) via 14th St. Windsor Ave. 15th.St. N. Australian Ave.

24 min. (1.2 mi) via 14th. St. Palm Beach Lakes Blvd N. Australian Ave.

I wouldn’t want my child walking home with the traffic on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. and N Australian Ave; or want them walking on 14th.15th. or Windsor Ave. due to crime.

These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.

City Commission meeting held 5/1/2023.

9.1 “Resolution No. 72-23 finding that City property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes, declaring the property as surplus, and authorizing the disposition of the property through negotiation of conveyance to the West Palm Beach Housing Authority.”

Background Information:

“On July 17, 2006, the City of West Palm Beach accepted the conveyance from Palm Beach County, without charge, of property at 1400 Henrietta Avenue. By deed restrictions, use of the Property was initially limited to the development of affordable or workforce housing.

In 2011, Palm Beach County agreed to amend the deed restrictions to allow for the utilization of the property to suit other neighborhood needs such as use as an urban market garden, a community center, a recreation center, cultural facility, or park.

From September 2013 to October 2021, the parcel was leased to a third party in attempts to establish an urban market garden for the purpose of providing sustainable farming education, job training, and employment opportunities.

However, as addressing affordable housing in the West Palm Beach continues to be a high priority need, City staff is of the opinion that it is in the best interest of the City to develop the site under the original conditions of the conveyance by the County.

At the December 9, 2022 Mayor/Commission Work Session, the City Commission expressed support of a partnership with the West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA) for the redevelopment of the 1.5 acres site as an affordable rental housing development for families. The presentation is provided in the agenda item.”

The third party was named Stewart Bosley who developed Henrietta Farms.

10/16/2021 Bosley’s lease was due to expire when he received notice his lease will not be renewed by the city. (James)

9/24/2021 Mr. Bosley had a crew of volunteers to work on the farm that weekend, and when they arrived they found their locks were cut off and replaced with new city locks with 3 weeks remaining on the lease.

I needed an update from Mr. Bosley on what was lost by closing the farm. I asked, he responded.

“To answer your question about the lost planting seasons. This is what was supposed to happen at Henrietta Bridge Farm:

2021 September 1st planting-1500-2000 units

2022 January 2nd planting-1000 units
June 3rd planting-Summer Hemp…cut down, added to compost for soil remediation.
September 1st planting-1500-2000 units

2023 January 2nd planting-1500 units

Seedlings are started in greenhouse: Collards, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, beans, melons.

Not included in the above were the plants in the flower garden to attract bees, a variety of herbs & a large banana patch.

There were over 50 fruit trees planted at the north end of the farm, many of which are dying because no one is attending to them.

Lastly, the distribution site of food to the community via Farm Share and PBC Food Bank has been discontinued by the Farm closing.

As of May 1, 2023, the property is still vacant and nothing beneficial to the black community has taken place. If the Henrietta Bridge Farm was still in active operation, many hundreds of low income families would have access to fresh produce & fruits…All within walking distance of their homes.”

By now WPB residents are aware Mayor Keith James is responsible for Permits and Leases. If you displease him, you’re in trouble. If you’re able to bend a knee, you have hope.

All that could be told about Henrietta Farms has been told, so why another piece on the farm? Not wanting to offend anyone, but I believe if it doesn’t affect our area, the public has a short memory, and it’s leading up to another item on the 5/1/2023 agenda.

9.2 “Resolution No. 103-23 finds by the City Commission and declares property within Dreher Park as surplus and no longer needed for City purposes and authorizes City staff to negotiate lease terms with the Boys and Girls Club.”

Background Information:

“Over the past three years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach. They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County started investing in the youth at Conniston Middle School and Forest Hill High School offering programs after school on the schools campuses.

“To serve students in District 5, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County desires to open a club in Dreher Park. They have been meeting with the community, neighborhood associations, and City staff to determine the best location for a new club to be built.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the community have shown support for the request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County for approximately 1.6 acres, more or less, in the Northwest area of Dreher Park.”

“The Mayor recommended the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County continue to reach out to the community for feedback and to continue to coordinate with the Cox Science and Palm Beach Zoo Center.”  Both are located in Dreher Park.

Dreher Park: Amenities: Information from the WPB website found below.

“Bathrooms, Benches/Seating, Decorative Fountain, Disc Golf Course, Dog Park, Fishing Pier, Multi-Purpose Fields, Picnic Pavilions, Picnic Tables, Playground, Public Art, Walking/Biking Trails”
What are the residents living in the area willing to give up in order to build a Boys and Girls Club?

https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/73/155

I have reached out to people concerning the Boys and Girls Club and all had favorable comments, and praise was abundant. The problem was the location in Dreher Park.
As you read above, “the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach.

They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are “economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”

Thousands of students are not testing to their level all over PBC, made worse by Carona Virus which caused schools to close down temporarily.

According to the city website. “The Historic Northwest district is perfectly positioned for rebirth. Located just north of downtown, the neighborhood boundaries extend from Banyan to Palm Beach Lakes, west to Tamarind Avenue and east to Rosemary Avenue.”

The most violent sections of the city. My opinion, a Boys and Girls club is needed in this area to help children who also are not “testing to grade level” and as faith would have it the city declared the property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes.

Could it be intended for a Boys and Girls Club, instead of affordable or workforce housing which the city plans to do.

Henrietta Farm 1.5 acres. Boys and Girls Club in Dreher Park 1.6 acres.

Is rent expensive in West Palm Beach?

Average Apartment Cost in West Palm Beach, FL

The average rent for apartments in West Palm Beach, FL, is between $2,250 and $3,495 in 2023. For a studio apartment in West Palm Beach, FL, the average rent is $2,250. When it comes to 1-bedroom apartments, the average rent in West Palm Beach, FL, is $2,715.

These apartments were meant to be affordable housing, and a friend in real estate verified the figures were correct.

Mayor James, by closing Henrietta Farms took food from children’s bellies, now would he deny them a Boys and Girls Club, a safe place for them to go instead of the dangerous streets?

City Commissioners, please ask yourself that question.
The end!