Part of a popular recreational trail in Palm Beach is shut down as construction begins on a $250 million renovation project at the Society of the Four Arts.
The section of the Lake Trail that runs through the west side of the Four Arts’ 10-acre Midtown campus is closed, and will remain closed throughout construction, as the organization expands and renovates its Esther B. O’Keeffe and John E. Rovensky buildings.
The town approved the plans for the closure of the trail and the north sidewalk on Royal Palm Way that runs along the south boundary of the Four Arts’ property.
Pedestrians and bicyclists using the Lake Trail from the south should head to Cocoanut Row and go north, then travel west on Seaview Avenue.
Pedestrians taking the Royal Park Bridge from West Palm Beach to Palm Beach should cross on the west side of the bridge to use the south sidewalk, the Four Arts said in a news release.
Construction should be completed by November of 2027, in time for the beginning of that winter’s social season, a project representative previously said.
Signs have been placed around the Four Arts to direct people where to go to use the Lake Trail.
The Four Arts said this week that some programs for next season will be moved to the Royal Poinciana Chapel, Palm Beach Day Academy and other venues. Others will remain on the Four Arts campus, the eastern portion of which will remain open.
What is happening at the Four Arts in Palm Beach?
Work on the O’Keeffe building includes expanding the auditorium, improving acoustics, adding more backstage space for performers, installing a new air-conditioning system, creating more space for restrooms, and adding space on the second floor for art storage and conservation.
Plans for the Rovensky building include constructing a 10,356-square-foot, three-story addition to the building’s north side; creating a larger children’s library on the first floor; adding new staff offices; creating a boardroom with a terrace; and building new offices for the Garden Club of Palm Beach.
The project was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, an architecture and planning firm based in New York City, with Spina O’Rourke as the local architect of record. Suffolk Construction is the general contractor.
Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Popular recreational Palm Beach Lake Trail is shut down. What to know.
Reporting by Kristina Webb, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Post
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