Jeff Hmara, Mayor, Village of Royal Palm Beach Florida

Invest: spoke with Jeff Hmara, mayor of the Village of Royal Palm Beach, to discuss the recent milestones, initiatives, and vision for the village, highlighting its commitment to balancing growth with preserving its family-oriented charm. “Even as we grow, we don’t want to lose the core values that make us special,” he said.

What were some significant milestones and achievements for the Village of Royal Palm Beach over the last 12 to 18 months?
One of the main highlights is the continuous enhancement of Commons Park, which is our 170-acre flagship park in Royal Palm Beach. We’re always looking for ways to improve it based on resident feedback. Recently, we added two large corporate pavilions, each about 2,000 square feet, located on opposite sides of the amphitheater. This addition provides covered spaces for events, along with seating for attendees who might not otherwise have a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the events we host there.
Another big feature of our community is the number of parks we offer. Royal Palm Beach is known for its commitment to parks – we have 25 neighborhood parks. Commons Park is the largest, but we also recently added a new park, called Freshwood Park, on Freshwood Boulevard North. Of course, it wouldn’t be a new park without pickleball courts. These types of additions are a direct response to feedback from residents, and we’re always looking to improve based on their needs.
We’re also proud of the fact that we offer more recreational park space per capita than any other municipality in Palm Beach County. That’s a point of pride for us. We are committed not only to maintaining this but also to making sure that the space we have is used in ways that are meaningful and beneficial to our residents.
As for development, we’ve also focused on balancing our growth and preserving the character of our community. We want to maintain our family-oriented, open, and green spaces. Over the past couple of years, we’ve engaged with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to lay out a plan for redeveloping our main commercial corridor, State Road 7. The goal is to transform several underused commercial properties into mixed-use developments. One particularly exciting project we’ve envisioned is a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the intersection of State Road 7 and Okeechobee Boulevard. This area is undeveloped, and it presents a unique opportunity. The TOD will not only allow us to increase residential density but also address the critical need for affordable housing by adding more units to the area. Affordable housing is a big issue for us right now, and by creating more supply, we hope it will help reduce housing costs.

Could you share more about how Transit-Oriented Development can address affordable housing while tackling traffic issues?
Transit-oriented development is a great way to address two major challenges: affordable housing and traffic. By planning for this kind of development, we’re hoping to offer alternatives to car-dependent lifestyles, which in turn can ease congestion and reduce stress on local roads. It’s a strategy that addresses the future needs of both residents and the environment. These plans are already in place, and we’re excited to move forward as soon as developers show interest in executing them.

How do you reconcile the charm of the local community with the rapid growth it has seen in recent years?
Several years ago, Family Circle Magazine recognized Royal Palm Beach as one of the best places to raise a family. We haven’t received that same recognition every year, but it’s still true that our village is family-oriented, and we want to keep it that way. Even as we grow, we don’t want to lose the core values that make us special. But we also understand that we need to evolve with the times. The surrounding areas are developing rapidly, and to remain competitive, we must stay relevant to the needs of the next generation of families.
We’re at a point where we need to carefully consider how we balance growth and preservation. It’s a challenge, but it’s one we’re prepared to meet. To stay competitive, we must adapt to changing circumstances, and we believe that thoughtfully planned development is the key to maintaining the community’s charm while meeting the needs of a growing population.

How does the Tuttle Royale project fit into your plans for future development?
Tuttle Royale is an exciting project that will add a lot to Royal Palm Beach. It’s a 200-acre mixed-use development that will include everything from commercial shops and restaurants to residential areas and a communal space for gatherings. We’re aiming for a “Main Street” type of environment with high-end retail and dining options like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory, and a number of other premium brands.
One of the standout features of this project is that it will include a five-story hotel, which we currently don’t have in the area. This will be the first of its kind in the region, and it’s a key part of the development. There will also be a state-of-the-art bowling alley and a modern movie theater. It’s truly shaping up to be a vibrant downtown area, and I’m thrilled about it.
The development is strategically located at one of the busiest intersections in the area: State Road 7 and Southern Boulevard. In fact, the traffic count there is around 270,000 trips a day, which speaks to how well-situated this development is. The plans for Tuttle Royale are ambitious for our community, but that’s OK. Sometimes, you have to aim high to achieve something truly transformative.
This project will bring a lot of benefits to Royal Palm Beach. It will have 1,600 dwelling units, including a mix of apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. It’s a major development, and it’s already generating interest from residents and potential investors. We’re excited to see it come to life.

How is the village adapting to changes in public safety, community services, and education?
Public safety is always a top priority for us. The largest line item in our budget is public safety, specifically funding for our police services. We contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and recently, we added two additional deputies. Our community is relatively safe, but we’re planning ahead for growth. Our biggest issue right now is people leaving their cars unlocked, which can lead to theft of personal items. Thankfully, this is a minor issue compared to what we could be dealing with.
As we grow, we want to make sure that we’re prepared. Adding deputies is one way to ensure we maintain our safety standards. Along with that, we’ve been focusing on community services. We offer a wide range of programs, from sports for young children to activities for seniors and everything in between. One of the key projects in the works is expanding our recreation center, which is long overdue. The current center hasn’t seen significant updates in over 20 years, so we’re doubling its size and refurbishing it to better accommodate the needs of our residents.
We also understand the importance of serving our aging population. We’re providing more opportunities for seniors to connect with the community, whether it’s through daily programs, luncheons, or activities. The goal is to prevent isolation, which is a serious issue, especially for older residents. Having a space for people to come together regularly is vital for fostering a sense of community.

What do you see Royal Palm Beach evolving in the next few years?
Growth is really driving a lot of our planning. It can be a challenge for some, but I see it as an opportunity. Change is inevitable. You can’t stand still, especially in a community that’s growing so rapidly. Instead of resisting change, we need to shape it and make sure it aligns with our values and vision.
One example of this is how we approached the redevelopment of an old wastewater treatment plant site. We could’ve let developers propose whatever they wanted, but instead, we put together a detailed site plan that reflected what we wanted: residential housing with a public park. Developers understood what we were looking for, and it worked out well for everyone.
That’s the kind of proactive planning we’re applying to our State Road 7 corridor redevelopment. We know what works for our community, and we’re not afraid to put our ideas in front of developers to make sure we get the best possible outcome.