Outrage over the 500 block of Clematis
More than 30 people urged the mayor to reconsider his decision to reopen it to auto traffic on weekends.
Dozens of people filed into the West Palm Beach City Commission chambers Monday to protest Mayor Keith James’ decision to end the permits that allow the 500 block of Clematis Street to close to auto traffic on weekends.
Why it matters: The outpouring of support to keep the downtown block parties is a challenge to the powerful office of West Palm Beach’s mayor. And it comes steeped in politics: The primary backer is business owner Rodney Mayo, who challenged James for mayor.
Before the more than 30 community members, business owners and restaurant employees took to the podium, James addressed them.
“It is time to take a pause,” he said. “The closure of a road is a privilege, not a right. We are not going to have that privilege.”
James said not all business owners are in favor of the street closings on weekends that started in 2019. He did not elaborate and none of them spoke.
Most speakers shared the welcoming atmosphere they experience visiting or working there on the weekend. No one favored ending the closures.
Flashback: Kristen Dagata, director of events for the 500 block, said the closings began as a partnership among the city, the Downtown Development Authority and her employer, SubCulture Group.
“You can’t put a price on what we’re doing and the culture we’re creating,” she said.
Several speakers confronted James, saying they view the action as vindictive and worry that the whole city will suffer.
Yes but: The support for closing the block on weekends extends beyond SubCulture. Maurice Costigan, owner of 500 block landmark O’Shea’s Irish Pub, also asked that the decision be reconsidered.
He said of 16 businesses on the block, he could find just one that doesn’t support the closure.
“We’re coming out of the season. What a better reason to give something to the people who are here 12 months a year,” Costigan said.
Some speakers appealed to city commissioners, who reiterated that the decision is the mayor’s alone.
Commissioners Christy Fox and Cathleen Ward held out hope to keep the door open.
“If it was up to me, we would close the entire street,” Fox said.
Ward told the speakers that she didn’t want to see the sense of community go away. “You have been heard,” she said. “The conversation isn’t over.”
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