Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
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.
Member of