WEST BOCA RISING! by Alan Kellock
Nobody over 30 was born and raised in West Boca. So why did we all move here?
The biggest magnet was probably the public schools west of the Turnpike, combined with good house value for the dollar. Over time, more schools were added to the mix, and there has been a steady improvement in performance. The latest scores say it all – with one exception, every single elementary, middle and high school in West Boca currently has an A rating!
Another big factor in West Boca’s success is South County Regional Park, which just keeps getting better and better. The dazzling expansion of the Daggerwing Nature Center, the stylish new amphitheater with our own 4th of July fireworks extravaganza, and now the dog park and playground without boundaries are just the latest additions, with much more yet to come in the second largest park in all of Palm Beach County.
The widening of 441 has been accompanied by continued upgrading of the commercial infrastructure, especially north of Glades. The Reserve has proved a big success, attracting first class restaurants, a variety of upscale boutiques, and an outstanding Publix. The new retail complex on Yamato and 441 is getting closer to opening day and will feature a family seafood restaurant and a Gary Woo’s takeout, along with a super CVS, among other things. The facelift of the post-Winn Dixie Boca Greens Plaza has ushered in a much welcomed turnaround with attractions like the Australian Outback, Annie Sez, a nifty Italian ice parlor, and the somewhat pricey but yummy Westside Bagels.
Further south, there is Boca’s only Home Depot and Lowe’s, which serve a market of over 250,000 people, a much-improved Best Buy, the always innovative Bed Bath & Beyond, a cavernous Sports Authority, Target, and an epidemic of big pet stores.
The story of 441 doesn’t stop with retailing. It now offers a first-rate medical complex. And we are just months away from the opening of a wonderful new library. It may not compare with the new one in the city of Boca Raton near 95, but it’s going to be a great improvement over the current facility on Glades and 95th.
In a county with loads of private golf courses, West Boca is also blessed with several public courses, and more are on the way.
So, do you find yourself driving east less often than in years past for shopping, dining and medical care?
Admittedly, Town Center is still a big draw. We don’t yet have anything nearly as gourmet-like as the new Publix Greenmarket or Whole Foods, though I for one sure do appreciate Doris’ Market on Lyons. We don’t have a community center, nor an appropriate place for teenagers to hang out. And even our tireless Commissioner Burt Aaronson, a driving force of so much mentioned in this article, can’t bring the beach to West Boca!
But overall, I’m sure most of us are driving east of the Turnpike less than we used to – and not just because we’re paying $4 and change at the pump!
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