One Year Later, Northwest Proposal to Preserve Black History in New Downtown Falls on Deaf Ears 

By Kristen Hernandez 

Pompano Beach, FL – One year ago, city commissioner Beverly Perkins, demanded the Northwest community have a say in the city’s $2 billion downtown development. Her asks’ were: job training programs, tenant relocation, hiring local consultants, and honoring the area’s rich Black history. 

Three-hundred and sixty-five days later, not one ask has been honored – not one ask has been acknowledged.  

Perkins struggled to keep her frustration in check during a recent special joint session between city commissioners and the CRA on May 14, 2025. During that meeting, she requested a postponement to allow time for city staff to review the Northwest proposal presented last year; however, she didn’t receive the necessary support. 

In May 2024, Perkins called a community meeting to introduce CEO of RocaPoint Partners, Phil Mays, to residents of the primarily Black northwest neighborhood. RocaPoint is tasked with building the $200 million, 75-acre, New Downtown Project, that is estimated to bring the city over $2 billion in revenue when completed.  

The purpose of last year’s meeting was so Mays could hear directly from residents surrounding the project zone that will be affected the most by the massive-scale project, which will be located by the Dixie highway and Atlantic Boulevard corridors.   

That meeting ended with a proposal of specific “asks” with the intent of reinvesting back into the very neighborhood where the project will be located.   

“Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, most of the land in the Northwest was taken by eminent domain,” said Perkins, during the joint session. “These 75 acres of land were in the Black community. Most of the people lost their homes and their businesses at that time, and now we’re putting up a $2 billion project.”  

The tree lined, beautifully manicured neighborhoods located east of Dixie Highway are in stark contrast to the historically neglected Northwest district.  

“When it comes to our history, they’ll move it in a heartbeat,” Perkins said referring to moves of the McNab House and the Sample-McDougal House. “But when it comes to our [Black] history, you’ll tear it down.” 

Residents living inside and outside the project zone continue to live in slum and blight, homelessness, drugs and gun violence. Yet, city officials targeted some of the valuable land and used eminent domain as a way to take businesses and homes from Black residents to acquire the 72-acres needed to build the new downtown and new city hall. 

As city officials ignore the wishes of residents in the Northwest, the future of the E. Pat Larkins community center and legacy of Black residents and pioneers of the past hang in the balance. 

When Perkins called the meeting last year, she knew it would be a long and tiring uphill battle to gain city and commission support for the Black community.   

“All I’m trying to do is honor his widow’s wishes, and preserve our history before it’s completely wiped away,” Perkins said last year. She was referring to Bettye Lamar-Larkins, the surviving widow of the first and only black mayor of Pompano Beach, and the namesake of the same building where Perkins stood, the Elijah Pat Larkins Community Center, located at 520 NW 3rd street.  

When the meeting ended, Perkins drafted a proposal of “asks” aimed at preserving the rich cultural history of the northwest. The proposal was emailed to Mays, RocaPoint, members of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin, city manager Greg Harrison, and all sitting members of the commission and city staff. The proposal was never responded to. 

Northwest Proposal 

The ten points included in the Northwest Proposal as read by Beverly Perkins during Special Joint CRA/City Meeting in May 2024.  

“Leave E. Pat Larkins Community Center where it stands, untouched. Create a stand-alone building. 

“Within that standalone building, create a satellite college branch from historically Black colleges and universities with degreed programs in high-growth industry sectors within the state of Florida. 

“Within that standalone building, offer a vocational culinary and hospitality program that targets Blanche Ely high school and Pompano Beach high school students and young adults. Considering that there will be hotels and restaurants within the project, initiate a job placement program for graduating students.” 

“Within the standalone building create a sports Hall of fame Museum, that focuses on the professional athletes, including NFL player alumni that attended Pompano Beach’s schools.” 

“Northwest residents want a pioneer monument to celebrate the extraordinary achievements and outstanding contributions of black leaders from Pompano Beach.” 

“A landmark historical business walkway of remembrance to honor the legacy of former black-owned businesses that originated on Rock Road and Hammondville Road.” 

“An ‘Incubator Program’ to assist local minority contractors with obtaining licensing and other skills to partner with the city of Pompano Beach.” 

“Create a tenant relocation and transition center to assist residents who will likely be displaced during land acquirement. The relocation package should consist of down payments, rental assistance, moving expenses, and housing assistance for eight months. Residential housing for the workforce within the new residential development.” 

“Employment of two full-time consultants to assist with job placement, meet with community groups, and evaluations of developmental projects and programs.” 

“Community Trust Fund to be implemented specifically for the Northwest community to assist with homelessness concerns, empowering community schools, and investment back into the neighborhood where this project will be located. The Community Trust Fund should be used to beautify the area surrounding the project zone.”