October 2025 Edition

Greeting from Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr.

Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors,

Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Powell Press! As we step into a new month, I want to take a moment to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time to honor survivors, remember loved ones and continue the fight for early detection, research and education that saves lives. Let’s all do our part to spread awareness and support those impacted in our community.

This month also brings important proclamations and events that celebrate the people and organizations making a difference across Palm Beach County. I encourage you to stay engaged, participate in upcoming activities and join me in recognizing the contributions of those who work tirelessly for our neighborhoods.

As always, the Powell Press will keep you updated on Palm Beach County news and initiatives—from improvements in District 7 to countywide efforts that impact us all. I remain committed to ensuring our communities are safe, vibrant and full of opportunity.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I look forward to seeing you at this month’s events and working together to keep Palm Beach County strong.

Best Regards,

Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr.

Palm Beach County District 7

Brest Cancer Awareness Month

Blue Heron Commons Affordable Housing Project by the Riviera Beach Housing Authority

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Blue Heron Commons Affordable Housing Project by the Riviera Beach Housing Authority was held on Tuesday, Sept. 23. This project is intended to provide much needed affordable housing for low-income households in cooperation with Palm Beach County and the Riviera Beach Housing Authority.

Mack Bernard Neighborhood Center

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Pictured (L-R): County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo, Vice Mayor Sara Baxter, Mayor Maria Marino, Senator Mack Bernard, Commissioner Bobby Powell, Jr., and Commissioner Joel Flores

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Mack Bernard Neighborhood Center on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The event took place at 5675 Parke Avenue in Gramercy Park, West Palm Beach. Named in honor of former County Commissioner and current State Senator Mack Bernard, the new facility will serve as a hub for neighborhood programs, services and community gatherings.

Commissioner Bobby Powell, who now represents District 7, highlighted the significance of the project:

"This center is more than bricks and mortar. It is an investment in people. It will be a beacon of opportunity and unity for generations to come."

Senator Mack Bernard shared his appreciation:

"I am deeply humbled by this recognition. Strong neighborhoods build strong communities, and this center will help residents access resources and create connections for a brighter future."

Palm Beach County Sheriff Office District 1 Marine Unit Complex Ribbon Cutting

Pictured (L-R): Theresa Lawrence, Commissioner Powell's Office, PBSO Colonel Talal Masri, PBSO Major Pete Palenzuela, Mayor Maria Marino, Commissioner Gregg Weiss, Vice Mayor Sara Baxter, Commissioner Joel Flores, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo, PBSO Captain Tom Gendreau, and PBSO Captain Vince Spierto

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office celebrated with a ribbon cutting. This 25,627 square foot building will house the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 1 sub-station and collocated Marine Unit Maintenance Facility. Building amenities include administrative offices for both District 1 and the Marine Unit, conferencing, fitness space, a 3-bay marine equipment repair workshop and supporting spaces. The site amenities will consist of a boat wash, boat engine test tank, exterior covered workspace and parking for PBSO D1, Marine Unit and the public.

Residences at Marina Element 8 Groundbreaking Ceremony

Miami-based Related Group has secured funding for Residences at Marina Village, an affordable housing development in Riviera Beach. The $92.6 million in financing came from three entities: Manufacturers and Trusters Trust Co., the Florida Housing Finance Corp, and Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

Residences at Marina Village is slated to measure eight stories above grade and comprise of 149 units. Residency will be reserved for tenants earning 30 to 110 percent of the area median income. Palm Beach County’s area median income (AMI) was $104,000 as of 2024.

Proclamations Presented to Honor Local Achievements

Mrs. Janie Brown Lowe Day

Pictured (L-R): Mr. Buster Robert Lowe, Jr., Mrs. Gwendolyn L. Crittenden, Ms. Arlene Sapp, Mrs. Janie Brown Lowe, Dr. Catherine Lowe, Commissioner Bobby Powell, Ms. Melissa Nash

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 9, Commissioner Powell presented a proclamation declaring Sept. 10, 2025, as Mrs. Janie Brown Lowe Day. A beloved resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, Mrs. Janie Brown Lowe was born on Sept. 10, 1925, and it is a privilege and distinct honor to recognize and celebrate her milestone 100th birthday. Throughout a century of life Mrs. Janie Brown Lowe has witnessed and contributed to historic changes and the growth of our great county and nation.

Building Community Resilience from the

Crack Cocaine Epidemic Month

Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr: (6th from left) presents a proclamation to Dr. Ashley Ridley (7th from left) from the Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County, Inc; Also pictured: Dr. James Green (1st from left), Director, Community Services; along with several other staff members.

Commissioner Powell presented a proclamation declaring Sept. 2025 as Building Community Resilience from the Crack Cocaine Epidemic Month. The crack epidemic began with a surge of crack cocaine use in major cities across the United States throughout the 1980s and 1990s, causing widespread harm to communities, including those in Palm Beach County. Harsh federal crack cocaine laws led to substantial racial disparities in sentencing for decades, with white defendants constituting 7.8 percent of those sentenced while African Americans represented more than 80 percent of defendants sentenced in 2003, despite more than 66 percent of crack cocaine users in the United States being white or Hispanic.

October Upcoming Proclamations

Declaring October 7, 2025 as Parianna Precious Hands Day
Declaring October 19-25, 2025 as Poverty Awareness Week

Hurricane Emergency Guide

Palm Beach County Updates

Neighborhood Dashboard

Palm Beach County Launches

“Your Neighborhood Dashboard”

Palm Beach County is proud to announce the launch of its Your Neighborhood Dashboard. This comprehensive online tool is a convenient, one-stop resource for staying informed and connected, enabling residents to access valuable, district-specific information.

By entering a valid Palm Beach County address, users can instantly view a personalized neighborhood snapshot. The dashboard displays local, state and federal representatives, public safety and evacuation zone information, area public schools, property and land use details and links to available utility providers. It also provides residents with county services, including housing assistance, libraries, parks and recreation and business resources.

Additional features include access to local chambers of commerce, transportation services, live traffic and beach cameras. This user-friendly dashboard is integrated with county databases, ensuring the information presented is current, accurate and relevant.

Tap in to explore the Your Neighborhood Dashboard by visiting pbc.gov/neighborhood

Watch this promotional video to discover how Your Neighborhood Dashboard is connecting residents within their communities to help them stay informed like never before.

Watch Video

Visit Website

Palm Beach County OEBO Renamed

Office of Small Business Development

The Palm Beach County Office of Equal Business Opportunity (OEBO) is proud to announce its official name change to the Office of Small Business Development, effective immediately. This transition marks a strategic alignment with the Palm Beach County Housing and Economic Development Department, under which the Office will now operate.

While the name and departmental structure have evolved, the Office’s mission remains unchanged: to promote the growth, development, and success of small businesses throughout Palm Beach County. The Office will continue to provide resources, guidance and advocacy for local entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on access, growth and economic empowerment.

“This change reflects our commitment to better serve the small business community while maintaining the core values and services that have defined OEBO,” said Axel Miranda, the new Division Director of the Office of Small Business Development. “We remain dedicated to fostering opportunity and supporting the diverse entrepreneurs who drive Palm Beach County’s economy.”

For more information, please visit

https://discover.pbc.gov/HED/osbd/Pages/default.aspx or contact the Office of Small Business Development at 561-616-6840.

COUNTYWIDE TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners has approved the Countywide Transportation Master Plan. The goal of the Countywide Transportation Master Plan (CTMP) is to establish a planning framework that provides for a countywide vision for transportation and mobility that safely connects people to places and provides for a multijurisdictional process.

The plan will be the first key step toward a Countywide transportation and mobility plan for Palm Beach County and municipalities within the County to separately adopt and/or update their own specific plan of improvements, using the recommended Countywide plan as a foundation.

Please go on-line at www.pbcmoves.com; click the tab for General Public/Elected Officials Survey to participate and provide your priorities for transportation.