12/19/2014 - Paving the way to growth in Riviera Beach

On Thursday, December 18th, the City of Riviera Beach celebrated a new “road to opportunity” for local businesses as officials talked about amazing things to come.

                “Riviera Beach is where it is at,” said City Manager Ruth Jones as she, Councilman Cedrick Thomas, Council Vice Chairwoman Dawn Pardo and Baron Signs Manufacturing owner Sadie Foland cut the ribbon dedicating the rebuilt and improved section of West 13th Street west of Old Dixie Highway.

                The City spent $2.1 million to repave and rebuild the roadway with new side-walks, curbs and gutters, drainage swales and new underground water and sewer lines.

                Councilman Cedrick Thomas, whose district includes the area of 13th Street that was rebuilt, talked about how it took a partnership between council members, city officials and the state to make the project happen. Part of the funding came from a $500,000 grant from the state after the city and business leaders urged Gov. Rick Scott to help rebuild the road.

                Foland, a strong advocate for business development in Riviera Beach and all of northern Palm Beach County, talked about how that stretch of 13th Street used to have potholes and other problems so bad that the City was in danger of losing some of the businesses on the street a few years ago. Now, Foland, said almost all the available business space along the new stretch of road has been leased.

                Pardo said Thursday’s ribbon cutting is just the first of many good things residents will start to see completed in Riviera Beach in the coming months and years. She said several projects are under-way to improve the infrastructure for businesses and thus improve the quality of life for all Riviera Beach residents and as those upgrades are completed the city will celebrate the accomplishments with more ribbon cuttings to let the world know about the new Riviera Beach.

PHOTO GALLERY HERE

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