CRA board denies software developers request to rent Magnuson House
‘No’ vote means no tax revenue in building worth a fraction of what CRA paid
Despite its price tag — and the fact that it’s now appraised at $70,294 — the city recently denied a request for Flipstone Technology Partners Inc. to make the historic home its new address.
City commissioners voted 3-3 to deny the locally based software development company, citing that the technology-centered business model did not fit in with the city’s downtown pedestrian landscape, focused on restaurants, arts and culture.
“If we decided we wanted to allow other types of uses in the space, it would fundamentally change everything, including the time and effort we spent developing Ocean Avenue,” said Commissioner Steven Holzman, one of the three who voted against Flipstone becoming a potential tenant of the Magnuson House.
“The next Silicon Valley in Boynton Beach? It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. We don’t have millions set aside to invest into a startup infrastructure. It’s extremely far-fetched, it’s a pipe dream,” Holzman said.
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