A slice of West Palm Beach is getting a makeover from a developer who helped transform Miami’s Wynwood district from a gritty industrial neighborhood into one of South Florida’s best-known destinations. Joe Furst is bringing his redevelopment experience to the city’s old railroad district, where a former industrial corridor is being transformed into a walkable neighborhood of luxury hotels, restaurants, shops and offices — with millions of dollars in public money helping pay for the transformation.
The effort comes with a substantial public investment. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has committed up to $20.83 million for infrastructure improvements and redevelopment reimbursements in the district, along with $1 million in grants to help businesses build out their spaces.