Bethesda Wins Nod to Build Hospital in West Boynton

Bethesda Healthcare System is excited to announce that the Fourth District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida has upheld Bethesda’s Certificate of Need application to build a hospital in western Boynton Beach.

According to Bethesda’s Robert B. Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Healthcare System, now the real work can begin to bring vital hospital services to serve West Boynton Beach, one of the fastest growing communities in all of Florida:

“We are thrilled by the Court’s decision. While there may be an opportunity for appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, we are absolutely confident that we can now move forward full steam ahead on a project that will mean access to lifesaving emergency medical care and inpatient services for the growing communities of western Boynton Beach,” said Hill.

Bethesda plans to build Bethesda West Hospital as an 80-bed, full service, acute care hospital with general medical, surgical and intensive care services, and a 24-hour emergency department. This new hospital will be built on the northeast corner of West Boynton Beach Boulevard and US-441.

The new Bethesda West Hospital will be a state-of-the-art, environmentally sound facility that features:

· 68 all private patient rooms;

· 12 intensive care rooms;

· four full service operating room suites;

· 12 post-anesthesia care treatment areas;

· a 24-hour emergency department with 18 patient treatment areas;

· general medical and surgical services;

· And, a full complement of diagnostic services including MRI, CT, general radiography and mammography

Memorial Hospital is a 401-bed, not-for-profit, flagship hospital of Bethesda Healthcare System. On February 9, 2009 Bethesda will celebrate it's 50th anniversary.

Hungry home buyers flock to Boynton development

Posted by Paul Owers at House Keys blog which covers the housing market for the Sun-Sentinel.

Interest in GL Homes' Valencia Reserve community is high. How high?

The sales center opened at 9:30 Saturday morning, and the hot dog vendor sold 1,900 dogs by 2 p.m.

As we mentioned in the previous post, people camped out overnight to choose a lot in the 1,061-unit active-adult development at Lyons Road and Boynton Beach Boulevard.

Home builders nationwide are reeling, but Sunrise-based GL says low interest rates and low prices ($249,000 to about $500,000) are bringing out plenty of tire-kickers.

GL Division President Marcie DePlaza said 15 buyers signed sales contracts by early Saturday afternoon. She said many people are coming from the Northeast and don't have to worry about selling existing homes.

"We're thrilled with 15," DePLaza said. "We wouldn't have guessed that."

The first buyers will move in during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Boynton Beach Commissioner Addresses State Committee on Affordable Housing and “Going Green”

City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board member Marlene Ross was one of the dozens of local officials, business leaders and citizens lined up to offer advice to state senators as they met at the Children’s Service Center on January 21 to address Florida's economic crisis.

The Senate Select Committee on Florida's Economy, convened by state Senate President Jeff Atwater, is holding a series of meetings around the state to ask for input before the legislative session begins this spring. State Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, who serves as vice chair of the committee, said, “Florida can't cut or tax its way out of the recession and has to find a way to grow new companies and industries.”
Commissioner Ross, who represents Boynton Beach’s District IV, spoke on affordable housing and “Green” initiatives, urging the committee to support funding for affordable housing projects and encourage Governor Crist to veto any budget cuts for these programs. “I am proud to say the Boynton Beach CRA has spent more than $8.5 million since 2006 on affordable access initiatives, and am concerned the Legislature may drastically cut statewide funding.” The City of Boynton and its CRA were recognized in 2008 by the Palm Beach County Housing Leadership Council, Florida League of Cities, Florida International University and the International Downtown Association for implementing several strategies and best practices for affordable housing.
The Commissioner, who heads the Boynton Beach Green Task Force, also noted the city is aggressively developing a Green Ordinance, based on Governor Crist’s recent mandate that all new construction of public facilities be certified as “Green.”
“We are completing a “green incentive” program within the CRA District to offset short term costs of going green,” the commissioner said, “and welcome the opportunity to work with the state to develop business incentives to entice “Green Businesses” to set up shop in our downtown.”
Environmental Dynamics Inc.(edi), an architectural firm specializing in environmentally conscious design, opened a new office in Boynton Beach’s Marina Village complex in December, 2008; the first of the city’s "green" businesses and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings.
The Boynton Beach CRA is committed to serving the community by guiding redevelopment activities and stimulating economic growth within its 1,650 acre district. The agency focuses on creating a vibrant downtown core, providing affordable housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods.
For more information on the CRA, its events and activities, call (561) 737-3256, or visit boyntonbeachcra.com.

CHAMBER MEMBER MAKES MAJOR AQUISTION

Greystar Property Management parent company of chamber member La Costa Apartments, and a leader in property management in Florida and throughout 29 states nationwide announced the aquistion of JPI property management. This now makes Greystar the 5th largest property management company in the United States. In Palm Beach, Broward & Dade counties the company manages 15 properties.

Amazingly, Greystar managed the aquistion with out any debt service. Local professionals are Bobby Ruiz - area manager, Sandra Arriga - property manager for La Costa Apartments, and Nikki Pamblaco - Assistant Property Manager.

Congrats Greystar!

Chamber Dinner Dance and Drawing set for Jan. 30th

The Chamber Dinner Dance will be held at Indian Springs Country Club Friday Jan. 30th featuring an Elegant Evening of Dining and Dancing to the live music by Will Bridges Entertainment (5 piece dance band) Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. - with a cash bar, dinner and dancing at 8 p.m., and a live auction featuring great items from member businesses, and the special drawing for a 7 night eastern Caribbean cruise on the New Celebrity Solstice. There will also be a $500 cash jackpot drawing as well.

Sponsors for the event are Bethesda Memorial Hospital and Compson Associates, Inc./Renaissance Commons. The theme is New Beginnings 2009! Reservations required tickets $100.00 per person. Cruise drawing tickets $50.00 each. There will be only 200 sold.

Special thanks to the members of the Dinner Dance Committee: Devon & Leslie Coughlan, Dee Butikis, Carole Aronson, Buck Buchanan, Kathy Biscuitti, Jim Guilbeault, Jonathan Porges, Rob Silo, Bob Taylor, Elliott Williams and Jim WIlliams.
Black tie preferred.