Shore stabilization

Development in the southern part of Palm Beach Island and storm impacts on the coastal system have irreparably transformed the native beach and dune system in areas R-132 to R-138 with an average shoreline recession of 198 feet (60 metres).^[8]

From 2003 to 2016, there have been six shoreline and dune restoration projects for the town's beach.^[9] However, there was nothing to hold the shoreline and dunes in place, and with a nearly wholly armored shoreline, a more long-term solution was needed.^[8]

Since 2007, Palm Beach County has completed several engineering studies to evaluate long-term erosion control alternatives, including doing nothing.^[10]

The Town of Palm Beach completed its beach nourishment projects in 2016, pronouncing its "coastline is in pretty good shape."^[11] No shore stabilization work was performed in South Palm Beach. Plans called for a $5.6 million "Southern Palm Beach Island Comprehensive Shore Stabilization Project" during 2019 and 2020 that was designed to rebuild about 0.67 miles of the town's shoreline.^[9] In early 2019, the County determined that the project was "cost prohibitive" and officially withdrew a request for the needed permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.^[12]

With assistance from the Town of Palm Beach, a smaller beach nourishment option by trucking sand to feed the eroding town's beachfront may be possible in early 2019.^[13] After more than ten years and a devastated shoreline - with several properties only having seawalls remaining against the ocean waves - rather than a beach stabilization project, a restoration of the beach by trucking in sand was conducted in 2021.^[14]

A feasibility study and extensive engineering analysis indicated a series of seven low-profile groins with beach dune fill components providing a more stable shoreline with less frequent sand placement.^[8] Nevertheless, the trend is at a breaking point for historic coastal development with continuing extensive coastal armoring of existing structures.^[8]

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 1,471 people, 1,028 households, and 420 families reside in the town.^[17]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, 1,171 people, 763 households, and 385 families residing in the town.^[18]

2000 census

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 1,531 residents in 453 households and 196 families residing in the town. The population density was 5,204.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,009.4/km²). There were 872 housing units at an average density of 6,492.3 per square mile (2,506.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.28% White (97% were Non-Hispanic White),^[19] 0.14% Native American and 0.57% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.

In 2000, there were 453 households out of which 2.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 56.7% were non-families. Households consisting of individuals were 52.1%, and 28.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.54, and the average family size was 2.14.

In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out with 2.6% under the age of 18, 1.4% from 18 to 24, 11.3% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 54.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 67 years. For every 100 females there were 75.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the town was US$39,375, and the median income for a family was $47,250. Males had a median income of $41,591 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,456. About 15.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2000, English was the first language spoken by 92.96% of residents, Finnish by 3.90%, and French as a mother tongue made up 3.12% of the population.^[20]

Business

Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn (2009). The inn was demolished in April 2016.

Initially built in 1964, the Polynesian-inspired, 58-room Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn and its ocean-front restaurant Tides Bar and Grille, located at 3550 South Ocean Boulevard, made up the only commercial business establishment within the town of South Palm Beach.^[21] It was described as "one of the last vestiges of old Florida along A1A."^[22]

Kosova Realty bought the inn for $3.3 million in 2002. It named it Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn.^[23] Known to locals by its former name, the Hawaiian Inn, the two-story motel lost most of its beach during Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and was not being maintained.^[24]

A proposal by the Paloka family-owned-and-operated realty company to replace the inn with a luxury resort-style 12-story condominium-hotel built over two stories of parking was unanimously rejected by the South Palm Beach Town Council in October 2007.^[25] The established comprehensive plan limits new buildings to six-stories over one-level of parking.

On September 18, 2009, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting expressed concerns about the redevelopment. It recommended that the Town of Palm Beach respond to citizens' negative opinions before adopting the amendments and ensure that development approval conditions address problems with the use, height limits, and negative impacts on the beaches.^[26]

Town Hall and Police Department building (2003)

The Paloka family tried to change the town codes to allow a bigger building such as a 14-story condominium and "were willing to build the town a public safety building and new town hall to sweeten the deal."^[27] They increased business at the property during 2011 and were planning capital improvements, but foreclosure proceedings began.^[27] Kosova Realty filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2012.^[23][28]

In November 2012, the operation was purchased by Paragon Acquisition Group of Boca Raton, a distressed property development company, with plans to improve and revive the facility and "possibility of a development project in the future."^[29] DDG then partnered with investor Gary Cohen of Paragon on the development.^[30] According to the CEO of developer DDG, Joseph A. McMillan, Jr., in 2012 a DDG affiliate paid $8.25 million for the 1.1-acre (0.4 ha) site.^[23][31][32] Although the property has received minor renovations and is being managed as a hotel and restaurant, the long-term prospects for it are for condominiums according to the CEO of Paragon.^[33][34]

The current zoning for oceanfront property in the town allows 33 units per acre, while a more dense project would require a referendum.^[33] Plans by DDG were announced for 30 residential units to be built above a one-story parking garage.^[35][36] The old motel and restaurant on the site were demolished in April 2016.^[34] Marketing for the new 30-unit building featured amenities such as a concierge service, a dog park, and a private jet service.^[31] In June 2018, the building "officially topped out, reaching its full height of seven stories."^[37] September 2019 marked the completion of the building.^[38]