Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2017
EDTF Date Created
2017
Description
From 1985 to 2015, local politicians like Kenneth G. Spillias, Jan Winters, and
Nancy M. Graham reshaped downtown West Palm Beach. They promised to eliminate
urban blight, and turned a crime-ridden area of the city into an upper-middle class
entertainment zone frequented by wealthy pleasure-seekers from throughout Palm Beach
County.
However, much of this transformation was an illusion. These politicians
eliminated local taxpayers from the decision-making process by circumventing their
votes, but subsequently taxed them to pay for the improvements. Furthermore, blight was
not eliminated downtown, merely relocated to areas surrounding the entertainment zone.
This resulted in ongoing tension between the mostly white patrons and business owners
in the redeveloped area, and the primarily black residents in the dilapidated
neighborhoods surrounding this development.
Nancy M. Graham reshaped downtown West Palm Beach. They promised to eliminate
urban blight, and turned a crime-ridden area of the city into an upper-middle class
entertainment zone frequented by wealthy pleasure-seekers from throughout Palm Beach
County.
However, much of this transformation was an illusion. These politicians
eliminated local taxpayers from the decision-making process by circumventing their
votes, but subsequently taxed them to pay for the improvements. Furthermore, blight was
not eliminated downtown, merely relocated to areas surrounding the entertainment zone.
This resulted in ongoing tension between the mostly white patrons and business owners
in the redeveloped area, and the primarily black residents in the dilapidated
neighborhoods surrounding this development.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
88 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00004825
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Date Backup
2017
Date Created Backup
2017
Date Text
2017
Date Created (EDTF)
2017
Date Issued (EDTF)
2017
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00004825
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Attributed name: Department of History
Person Preferred Name
Fine, Jeffrey G.
author
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
88 p.
Title Plain
Magical Transformation or Illusion of Grandeur: The Development of Downtown West Palm Beach, 1985-2015
Use and Reproduction
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Origin Information
2017
2017
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
Magical Transformation or Illusion of Grandeur: The Development of Downtown West Palm Beach, 1985-2015
Other Title Info
Magical Transformation or Illusion of Grandeur: The Development of Downtown West Palm Beach, 1985-2015