safety
Related Ross appointment fires up West Palm Beach development debate
By The Real Deal
· July 10, 2026
· 1 min read
West Palm Beach residents are pushing back after the city commission appointed a Related Ross executive to the Downtown Development Authority. The appointment of Jordan Rathlev, an executive vice president at Related Ross, added fuel to an ongoing debate over downtown development, as residents deman
Key takeaway They criticized what they see as […]This article originally appeared on The Real Deal.
Why this matters in The Miami
The controversy in West Palm Beach has implications for Miami , where similar debates over downtown development and community input have played out in neighborhoods like Brickell and Wynwood. As Miami continues to grow and attract new investment, its residents and city leaders may look to West Palm Beach as a cautionary tale about the importance of balancing development with community needs. The concerns about rapid development and high-rise construction in West Palm Beach are particularly relevant in Miami, where sea-level rise and flooding risks are already a major concern. As Miami's own Downtown Development Authority and city commission consider new projects and appointments, they would do well to prioritize transparency and community engagement to avoid similar backlash. The experiences of West Palm Beach residents can inform Miami's approach to development, ensuring that growth is managed in a way that benefits both developers and the community.
About this story
Original reporting by The Real Deal . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit The Real Deal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: The Real Deal ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? West Palm Beach residents are pushing back after the city commission appointed a Related Ross executive to the Downtown Development Authority. The appointment of Jordan Rathlev, an executive vice president at Related Ross, added fuel to an ongoing debate over downtown development, as residents deman
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by The Real Deal and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Real Deal. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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