Volume 10 Issue 8
Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
August 2017
Along the Coast
South Florida seeks new source of sand for beaches By Cheryl Blackerby
Will our next beach renourishment use Bahamian sand?
Beach sand is constantly on the move, generally north to south, and is as fluid as the ocean that pounds it. Most Floridians had never really considered this geological phenomenon, but they have learned the hard way that barrier islands are constantly reshaped by winds, water currents and development. In recent decades, coastal residents noticed that sand was leaving the shore and not coming back. Waves,
Florida (left) may import sand from the Bahamas for use in beach renourishment. The light blue areas of this satellite image show the shallow bottom around the Bahamas. Photo by NASA
particularly those powered by tropical storms and hurricanes, carved out cliffs in formerly flat shores and washed sand out from underneath highManalapan vows to keep rise condos and sand flowing beachside houses. When faced with south. thinning beaches Page 13 and encroaching ocean water, resourceful beach towns simply dug up offshore sand and pumped it onto the
Boca Raton
Major overhaul coming to Royal Palm Place By Mary Hladky
Nearly two years after withdrawing plans for redeveloping Royal Palm Place, Investments Limited is back with new plans for two portions of the 14-acre site that would dramatically change the look of the longtime shopping and dining destination. The largest owner of commercial properties in downtown Boca Raton plans two buildings. If the city approves, the first one out of the ground will front Federal Highway between Southeast Second and Third streets. It will include 69 luxury rental units, 11,156 square feet of retail and restaurants, and parking for 301 cars, with See ROYAL PALM on page 16
See BAHAMAS on page 12
Council requests more changes for Mizner 200 By Mary Hladky
The initial mixed-use building is proposed to front on Federal Highway. Rendering provided
Inside
Highland Beach could spend up to $1.7M to upgrade walking path. Page 9
Ultimate sun block
Your guide to viewing the eclipse. Page H1
beaches, grumbling about costs as the big dredges did their work, but doing whatever it took to keep the beaches nice and wide for tourists. Then, the unthinkable happened: The offshore sand ran out. No longer were they looking at expensive dredging for sand, they were looking at no sand. Miami-Dade and Broward counties have depleted their offshore sand, and
Aesop’s Tables Tables with fables. Page AT7
Boca Raton Group fighting another proposed project on beach. Page 10
Boca Raton City Council members have demanded yet another redesign of the proposed Mizner 200 luxury condominium, giving developer Elad National Properties one month to complete the task before they reconsider the project Aug. 21. Council members, sitting as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners at a July See MIZNER 200 on page 4
Speaking volumes
Raptis offers rare books on Worth Avenue. Page AT1