Octavia breaks ground south of City Hall with 465 apartments
Also inside: the commission's final budget vote on September 16, TSA PreCheck enrollment at AAA, and the SHIP report open for comment.
Octavia broke ground September 10 at 120 SE 1st Avenue in Town Square, putting 465 market-rate apartments on the block directly south of City Hall. Also ahead this week: the commission returns September 16 to ratify the tentative budget it passed on September 8, and TSA PreCheck enrollment is open at the AAA branch on Woolbright Road.
Octavia broke ground September 10 at 120 SE 1st Avenue in Town Square, on the block directly south of City Hall. Eight stories will hold 465 market-rate apartments, with roughly 50,000 square feet of amenities and ground-floor retail, plus a large integrated parking garage keeping residents' covered parking inside the complex.
The CRA agreement requires work to commence no later than October 1, and completion is currently estimated for late 2028 or early 2029. A northern building is planned to add hundreds more apartments around City Hall, Centennial Park and the Arts & Cultural Center.
Commission passes tentative budget at a 7.4257 rollback rate, with the final vote September 16
The commission approved a rollback millage rate of 7.4257 mills at its September 8 meeting and passed the tentative fiscal year 2026-27 budget, leaving the ratification vote for September 16.
The fire rescue assessment was approved 4-1, with most of the funds going to non-EMS uses. Residents are eligible for hardship applications to bring the assessment down, and that option is available online for seniors and disabled veterans. The proposed water and sewer rate increase was tabled for further review; it is tied to a federal mandate to treat the city's water plants for PFAS.
Literacy Coalition is recruiting volunteer tutors for struggling young readers
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County used International Literacy Day events in Boynton Beach to appeal for volunteer reading tutors. Kristin Calder of the coalition said 41% of third graders are not reading on grade level.
Building Better Readers, which the coalition runs with the School District of Palm Beach County, puts volunteers in one-on-one tutoring with students in first through fifth grade for the entire school year. Training sessions are scheduled about monthly and run a full day before volunteers go into classrooms.
SHIP annual report is open for public review through September 25
The city's State Housing Initiatives Partnership annual report for fiscal year 2023, covering July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, is open for public inspection and comment through September 25. Anyone may review a copy at the Public Library at 100 E. Ocean Avenue.
Written comments should identify the author by name, address and interest affected, and be sent to RJ Ramirez, manager of the Community Improvement Division, at 100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, or by email to ramirezr@bbfl.us. Alternate formats are available under the ADA by calling 561-742-6241.
TSA PreCheck enrollment comes to the AAA branch on Woolbright Road this week
- When
- Sept. 15-18, 2026
- Where
- AAA Boynton Beach
- Address
- 4880 Woolbright Road, Golf, FL 33436
- Price
- $76.75 enrollment fee, which includes a five-year TSA PreCheck membership for approved applicants
AAA is running a TSA PreCheck enrollment event at its Boynton Beach branch through September 18, open to the public with no AAA membership required. AAA strongly encourages booking an appointment in advance.
The fee is $76.75 and covers a five-year TSA PreCheck membership for applicants who are approved. Enrollment starts with an online application and an appointment booking; the in-person visit takes about 10 minutes, and representatives check documents, collect fingerprints and take a photograph. The branch phone is (561) 865-1400.
Library basket weaving workshop is full today, with a waiting list open
- When
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern Time
- Where
- Room 112 - 1st Floor of City Hall
Today's Make and Mingle basket making session is full, and the waiting list is the only way left in. Registration is required, and three cancellations without at least 24 hours' notice, or three no-shows within a six-month period, places a patron on a waitlist for future programs.
FAU Galleries leads the session and helps each participant make a 4 inch diameter basket. Materials and instruction are provided, the workshop is limited to fifteen participants, and it begins promptly at 2 p.m. in Room 112 on the first floor of City Hall.