Riviera Beach has a shot at renewal.
On the waterfront just north of West Palm Beach and the Port of Palm Beach is a city of 38,000 people who show up in force at city hall meetings, church gatherings, oratory contests and sporting events, giving it a community feel in times of adversity and opportunity alike. And unlike purely suburban municipalities in the county, it has a strong commercial base, with many employers contributing jobs and tax revenues, as well as a stretch of high-end housing, on Singer Island, that also generates property taxes that help cover the cost of city services.
Sadly, politics often gets in the way of Riviera Beach’s great potential. That must stop, and the people of the community should lead their leaders and demand it.
More on Riviera leaders:Ugly details of hallway fight between Riviera Beach councilmen disclosed; no charges filed
A few short years ago, a series of scandals led residents to swap out most of their city council members with others who seemed more promising. The new members returned competent management to city hall, rehiring a city manager the previous council foolishly fired, and now many long-needed infrastructure and redevelopment projects have begun to take shape. The city is replacing its old and unreliable water utility, and its moldy, old fire stations. There’ll be new underground infrastructure and a new city hall. And, with any measure of persistence, a redeveloped waterfront and a revitalized Broadway corridor.