The Urban Redevelopment Area (URA) is an 11,467-acre region that is the primary site for proposed County revitalization, redevelopment, and infill policies and activities. The designation of the region is a result of a recommendation from the Infill and Redevelopment Study presented to the Board of County Commissioners on February 17, 2004. With a population of over 75,000, the URA boundaries are generally: Community Drive to the North; the Lake Worth Drainage District L-14 Canal to the South; I-95 to the East; and extend to some points as far west as Jog Road.

On reviewing unincorporated County land summary data as part of the infill study, it became apparent that the Central portion of the County showed a remarkable need for infill and redevelopment. The URA was chosen because of its distinct characteristics including that: 1) it contains 62 of the 104 designated Countywide Community Revitalization Team (CCRT) areas. The CCRT areas are those areas in the Unincorporated County that by varying degrees are characterized by relatively large populations of very low, low and moderate-income families, and most are experiencing a range of problems associated with the decline of urban neighborhoods including, lack of basic infrastructure components. roads and drainage in substandard conditions, lack of sidewalks; lack of streetlights; code violations. varied condition and low value of housing stock. vacant lots and underutilized land, etc.; 2) it represents an older, urbanized development pattern that is experiencing deterioration, disinvestment, and higher rates of vacancies; 3) some areas exhibit physical deterioration of properties and poor condition of structures, and underused lands lacking crucial urban services such as sewer and drainage which call for continued redevelopment efforts; and 4) it contains existing redevelopment initiatives such as the Westgate Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), the Lake Worth Commercial Corridor, and the unincorporated area of the Lake Worth Road Park of Commerce (LWPOC).

The goal of the Urban Redevelopment Area is to coordinate and provide for redevelopment efforts and infrastructure improvements needed in the area. The designation of the URA and its associated policies are intended to:

• Provide and enhance viable redevelopment opportunities to discourage further westward expansion;
• Provide a variety of housing options for persons and families of all income ranges;
• Support existing Comprehensive Plan and Managed Growth Tier System provisions for sustainable urban development;
• Fully utilize and enhance existing infrastructure facilities and services; and
• Attract new residents, businesses and services to improve the quality of life for the current population in the URA.

Furthermore, three (3) areas within the URA have been targeted for specific detailed planning and are further described under the links labeled as Priority Redevelopment Areas (PRAs).