Singer Island Area News of The Week: 

Commentary: Do you know the real Riviera Beach? -  Palm Beach Post - We applaud The Palm Beach Post for its recent story recognizing the efforts by the Riviera Beach Police Department to fight crime in the city, but we ... 

[ Editor's note:  This is an open letter from the Rivera Beach Chief of Police in the Palm Beach Post.  Please take a moment to read the story, leave your comments/input and/or email him directly.  This is an important issue for our entire community, let's all stay in the moment and find ways to work together to collectively shape our future! ]
 

Shots fired near anti-violence rally in Riviera Beach meant to teach kids to 'Live in Peace' - WPTV - Riviera Beach police responded to the scene of a shooting Sunday night near ... Nearly 10 people have been shot in Riviera Beach just this month. - Faith leaders and pastors get domestic violence training at workshop in Riviera Beach - WPTV - Full Coverage

New Riviera Beach coffee roaster makes splash with bold brews - Palm Beach Post - "Coffee can bring people together," he says. "It's fueled revolutions and played a part in history."Iain Yeakle, Rabbit Coffee Roasting Co. It happened in ...

 [ Editor's note: Cheers to Coffee and bringing people together! Let's welcome Rabbit Coffee Roasting Co. to OUR commUNITY!
visit: www.rabbitcoffeeroasting.com ]

OCEAN MALL
On Wednesday afternoon, I met with a representative from GFS, the investment group that currently holds the Ocean Mall lease. The following progress has been made since my last
meeting: Pressure cleaning, graffiti removal, window coverings and landscaping have occurred on the Mall property.
GFS has hired a full time onsite maintenance team to manage the property. They will be on site from 7 am - 4pm, daily.
GFS has recently received 20 inquiries from possible tenants and they are currently negotiating several new leases. Good prospects which I think you'll be happy to visit. One inquiry I found curious was a gym looking to possibly rent 10,000 sq ft on the 2nd floor above Wingz... In the next week, GFS will file for a permit to begin construction on the old 7-Eleven site.
Per the agreement with the City, GFS must construct the building by June 2015. Most importantly, GFS is negotiating the sale of the lease with a former Singer Island resident who is a real estate developer/investor in NYC. It is everyone's hope that the deal closes in the Fall and we can start hosting activities throughout the area.
 

DEMOLITION
Over the summer, we closed on the Max & Eddie's building and the old Buddy's Café building. On September 18, at 5pm, please join us as we demolish the buildings. The short term plan
is to illuminate the site and repave the property behind the alley to provide overflow parking. The long-term plan is to construct a parking garage.
 

POLICE SUB STATION
The CRA continues to survey possible sub station sites. In the meantime, the Ambassador Program has been implemented. Young men and women in bright green shirts are now deployed around the CRA area including throughout the Mall and along the Bridge. Their duties include reporting suspicious activity to police, escorting patrons to their cars and maintaining CRA property.

LANDSCAPING
I do hope you like the new landscaping that has been planted in the medians. We are anticipating the north-end medians to be completed in the next week or so. We are waiting for bougainvillea to be delivered. I think the new plantings add that pop of color that was so desperately needed. The City's Public Works department landscaped each median. They did an absolutely fantastic job, and if you see then along A1A, please thank them. The crew takes pride in maintaining all of the medians throughout the City. I am still looking to implement a Garden Club on the Island. Please contact me if you are
interest. I have only heard from 2 residents! Perhaps when many of you return to your piece of paradise, you will get involved !!
 

[ Editors note: Thank you for your service Dawn!  For those that missed it, there was an epic city council meeting this week.  The bond issue and proposed 7-11 were big items on the agenda.  The 7-11:  Final Vote ... 1 = Yes to 4 = No.  Special Exception denied.  The meeting ran for 5hrs, 53min.... they had to extend it a couple of times. Grab some popcorn and you can view all the action (or speed thru it): Play clip here ]

CommUNITY Voice: 

Neighbors, PLEASE send in your comments, ideas and input ...to be shared here next week! 

From Mike A, Singer Island Since '55 

• Palm Beach County Resident invited to see preliminary flood maps
• 9/19/2014 - Jazz After Dark Concerts
• 9/26/2014 - 8th Annual Business Matchmaker Conference and Expo 

There are lot's of events going on at the park, just click the link above to visit their August calendar!