CRA considers 163-space temporary surface lot downtown while Hibiscus Garage is renovated

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on April 13 heard a proposal to license two CRA-owned downtown parcels at 620 and 644 Evernia Street to Related (CityPlace North 1 LLC) for use as a temporary public parking lot while the Hibiscus Garage undergoes phased renovation.

Brad Nela, the CRA’s real estate manager, presented Resolution 26‑10 and said the license would be revocable, proposed for two years, and would not request CRA funding. Under the proposed agreement the developer would pay for capital improvements, ongoing maintenance, insurance, security and operating expenses and would be responsible for restoring the parcels to their prior condition at the end of the license term.

Jordan Vargas, representing Related, told the board the site plan envisions a temporary surface lot with 163 spaces that meets the city’s temporary‑parking zoning requirements. Vargas said weekday use would primarily relocate workers displaced by Hibiscus Garage construction and that nights and weekends the lot would serve transient visitors to downtown restaurants and retail. He confirmed the parking rates would match the Hibiscus and Sapodilla garages in CityPlace.

President Peduzi and commissioners pressed staff on details: whether workers would pay for weekday spaces (staff and applicant said yes), whether the developer expected to recoup capital improvements from parking revenues (the applicant said capital investments would not be fully recouped by parking revenue), and what becomes of the parcels after the two‑year term (the developer must restore the property). The proposed two‑year term is intended to align with the Hibiscus Garage renovation schedule, which staff estimated will take about 18 months and be performed in two nine‑month phases.

Staff also confirmed Related has closed on two historic structures on Evernia (including the former mayor’s house identified in the record as Jewel Davis’ house) and intends to relocate them to the Historic Northwest (6th & Douglas). The relocation and rehabilitation obligations are part of the agreement: staff said the houses will be rehabilitated and sold to buyers at 140% of area median income or below, with relocations anticipated to begin in June and permitting underway.

Commissioners raised questions about policy consistency and small‑business impacts in the Historic Northwest, and staff explained that the zoning code (QBD‑8) allows temporary lots in some contexts but that broader parking strategy and strategic finance plan considerations guide when the CRA funds or supports projects. Staff noted longer‑term opportunities to incorporate public parking into larger developments (for example, FPU sites) and signaled additional planning and potential funding discussions in coming months.

At the point the provided meeting record ends, discussion was ongoing and the board had not recorded a final vote on Resolution 26‑10. Staff said, if approved, the temporary lot could begin construction as soon as June and be operational in roughly six weeks to align with Hibiscus Garage phasing.