Christopher Roog, Executive Director, West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Christopher Roog, executive director of the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), sat down with Invest: to discuss the agency’s strategic approach to revitalizing targeted districts through public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, affordable housing initiatives, community engagement, and the integration of cultural preservation and sustainable urban development.
How are the CRA’s district boundaries determined, and what does the planning process look like to support redevelopment and revitalization?
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district boundaries were established through a comprehensive study conducted when the CRA was first formed. The City currently has two CRAs, each created following extensive research and planning. For example, the Downtown City Center CRA was established in 1984, and a detailed study at that time defined its boundaries. These boundaries, along with state enabling legislation, govern how tax increment revenues from property improvements must be spent within those areas. This framework serves as the foundation for the CRA’s annual Strategic Finance Plan, which is submitted to the board for approval. Each year, the plan outlines projects based on three primary inputs: previously approved and ongoing projects; community outreach and feedback from residents within CRA boundaries; and requests from city departments, including police, planning, engineering, and parks and recreation, focused on infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhood improvement initiatives.
What types of financial tools or incentives does the CRA use to attract investment and development, and how do these benefit the city?
I often say there are two primary ways the CRA can help. The first is through a series of programs and incentives outlined in our Strategic Finance Plan, available online at wpb.org/cra. Each program includes specific criteria and goals, allowing the CRA to play a supportive role while the private sector leads the investment.
The second way the CRA attracts investment is by acting as a developer. In these cases, we identify a contractor and architect, secure land, and build the project ourselves. Both approaches have proven effective. When the CRA takes the lead on development, it can demonstrate market potential in areas that previously lacked investment, often sparking interest from the private sector. In other cases, such as the NORA District, a private developer recognized an opportunity for adaptive reuse of old industrial buildings and approached the CRA for partnership. By collaborating to improve infrastructure and support building renovations, we helped attract new businesses to the area. Both models have successfully encouraged investment and revitalization.
How does the CRA work with local businesses to support economic growth in the redevelopment areas?
Most of the CRA’s public-private partnerships involve the development community, where private entities make significant investments in new buildings or construction projects such as the NORA District and others like it. In some cases, we’ve partnered with businesses seeking tenant improvements or planning capital investments in underutilized buildings. The CRA offers a range of programs and incentives that support projects of varying scale. These can be as modest as a building improvement grant covering roughly 10% of renovation costs for a small structure, or as substantial as infrastructure support for major developments. For example, at NORA, the CRA helped fund improvements to an entire public-use street — a $20 million investment in an area that likely would not have seen such transformation without private sector involvement. These examples illustrate the wide spectrum of projects we’ve supported, from small-scale enhancements to large infrastructure investments.
Can you elaborate on any key infrastructure improvements funded or facilitated by the CRA?
One of the marquee infrastructure investments by the CRA has been Clematis Street, a project completed in 2020 after beginning in 2018. The CRA tackled one block each summer, and after finishing the first block in 2018, pedestrian activity increased by 67%. That surge in foot traffic demonstrated the value of the investment — not just for the CRA and the city, but as a signal to the private sector. The upgraded streets incorporated key design principles such as wide sidewalks, shade trees, expanded seating areas, and a safe, comfortable pedestrian connection throughout downtown. These features were later adopted in the redesign of CityPlace, helping to catalyze further reinvestment in the area. When aesthetics are thoughtfully integrated, people notice. They respond to the quality, comfort, and human scale of the environment, which fosters a sense of safety and encourages lingering, whether grabbing coffee, staying for dinner, or simply enjoying the space. These improvements have long-term benefits, including rising property values. Since 2020, downtown property values have increased by an average of 11% annually, a strong indicator that high-quality infrastructure investments drive market response.
How does the CRA ensure community engagement in its redevelopment projects?
It all starts with leadership. The Mayor and City Commissioners work tirelessly every day on behalf of the residents of West Palm Beach. It’s important not to overlook the extent of their commitment to the community. A key part of that leadership is ensuring consistent outreach to residents and business owners, keeping them informed and involved in City projects. This is best demonstrated through quarterly outreach meetings, particularly in the Historic Northwest District, but also in other areas of the city, where residents can engage on a wide range of topics. These meetings cover everything from basic concerns like public safety and sanitation to more complex issues such as zoning and development. One recent example is the extensive community engagement around updated regulations for the Broadway Mixed-Use District in the City’s north end. The first meeting, held at the Manatee Lagoon Center, drew 180 participants and generated valuable feedback that helped shape the new guidelines for the corridor. This initiative is now part of the CRA’s Strategic Finance Plan and remains a top priority for the Mayor and City Commissioners as they work to spur redevelopment and ensure inclusive growth.
What role does affordable housing play in the CRA’s redevelopment efforts?
Affordable housing is not only a priority for the City — it’s mandated by the state through enabling legislation for CRAs. The statute clearly outlines affordable housing as a core responsibility, and the CRA takes that obligation seriously. It’s embedded in our Strategic Finance Plan and further reinforced by the City Commission, which has aligned downtown zoning regulations with CRA funding strategies. When new projects are proposed, the projects can receive tax rebates to provide affordable housing for 20 to 30 years. The tax rebates are contingent on annual reporting that verifies rental units are offered at affordable rates, typically between 60% and 100% of the area median income (AMI).
This approach is applied consistently across a range of projects. One example is The Grand, located at Rosemary Avenue and Second Street in the Downtown Core. Another is The Spruce in Northwood Village, a nearly all-workforce housing development slated to open next year. Every unit matters, even in smaller projects. Vine on Clematis Street is a creative example where the CRA partnered with a developer using tax increment financing (tax rebates) and city parking garages to offset reduced on-site parking. The City also contributed a small parcel of land, which increased the project’s footprint and value. These efforts helped deliver 13 affordable units in the heart of downtown. The CRA continues to seek innovative solutions and remains committed to advancing affordable housing, a priority championed by the Mayor and City Commissioners.
How does the CRA balance preservation of these sites with the need for new development and modernization?
Cultural investment is a vital part of West Palm Beach’s redevelopment strategy, and its impact varies depending on the area of the city. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the growth of public art initiatives. The City is committed to integrating public art into all major projects, and when direct installation isn’t feasible, the Director of Arts, Culture and Community Building ensures a contribution is made to the ArtLife Fund, which supports the deployment of art throughout the city. This commitment is embedded in the City’s planning process. In addition to promoting the arts, the City places a strong emphasis on preserving historic structures. When a building is identified as historically significant, the CRA works closely with the City’s Historic Preservation Department and the private sector to explore ways to protect and restore it. These efforts often involve public-private partnerships, which are essential to saving structures that might otherwise be lost. The CRA continues to support a wide range of historic preservation projects across the city.
Looking at the future, how do you envision the CRA’s role in supporting sustainable and resilient urban development in West Palm Beach?
The Mayor’s vision of creating a community of opportunity for all serves as the guiding principle behind every project in West Palm Beach. That vision continues to shape our efforts to expand affordable housing and build an urban environment that offers exceptional livability for anyone who chooses to call the city home. No matter your background, West Palm Beach provides access to opportunity, whether through housing, employment, or lifestyle. Our urban design emphasizes ease of movement and proximity to amenities, allowing residents to enjoy a range of living options tailored to their needs. This vision remains our foundation as we prioritize infrastructure, invest in affordable housing, and create vibrant public spaces that will continue to attract and serve the community well into the future.
