If you like this page or if you have a business listed, you can help us out by sharing it with others, using the buttons below. Thanks!

Share

Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida recently underwent a makeover.

December 8, 2010

Worth Avenue, unarguably Florida's toniest Main Street, recently underwent a major makeover, costing more than 15 million dollars. True, Worth Avenue, located in Palm Beach, Florida is an upscale area. They could afford it. Over 200 mature coconut palms ranging from 32 to 40 feet were planted along the street. Also added were new tabby seashell sidewalks, antique-style streetlights, benches, and a 25-foot clock tower. Electrical systems and utility lines were moved underground. Most are happy with the changes. One of the most important points raised by the article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel is how the improvements were paid for. Property owners in the Worth Avenue Commercial District Assessment Area are paying for the project. The mechanics of how the makeover was pulled off could be a valuable lesson to other Main Streets hoping to emulate Worth Avenue's success. However, it may be difficult for businesses that are struggling to foot the needed dues or other fees to make it happen. And of course, not every Main Street is wealthy enough to raise so much money mainly for cosmetic changes. Another interesting point raised by the article is that after all of the cosmetic improvements are finished, business owners are still concerned about the lack of parking.