West Palm Beach’s simmering waterfront drama just kicked up another notch, with Mayor Keith James publicly denying that the city is plotting to use eminent domain to grab E.R. Bradley’s or any other properties along Flagler Drive for a new park. His video message landed after the Coniglio family, which owns Bradley’s, went public saying they had faced months of pressure from the mayor and representatives of developer Related Ross, and that James floated the possibility of a taking if they refused to sell. Billionaire developer Stephen Ross has reportedly offered to buy key waterfront parcels and donate them to the city to make the park a reality.
Mayor posts video, says he's not pursuing eminent domain
In a video posted to YouTube, James stated, “I want to be clear, the city is not considering or pursuing the use of eminent domain,” according to WPBF. The station reports those comments came on the heels of the Coniglio family’s detailed account of a meeting where the mayor and Related Ross officials laid out the waterfront park concept and discussed its impact on their property.
Owners say they were pressured for months
Members of the Coniglio family told The Palm Beach Post they were offered a relocation site and other incentives but pushed back, saying they did not want to move. They said that when eminent domain entered the conversation, it left family members “tremendously emotional.” According to the Post, the family’s portfolio on that stretch includes E.R. Bradley’s, neighboring parcels and a surface parking lot that could be directly affected if portions of Flagler Drive are converted into parkland.
The plan would reroute Flagler Drive
Local coverage describes draft sketches from developers and city staff that would close or reroute a segment of Flagler Drive, potentially between Banyan Boulevard and Fern Street, to create a continuous band of waterfront green space. Business owners warn that such a move could tangle traffic and parking patterns, according to WLRN. Owners say losing direct Flagler Drive access and waterfront frontage could deal a serious blow to long-standing downtown restaurants that have built their identity around that location.
Related Ross' footprint complicates the debate
The park idea emerged from conversations between Mayor James and Related Ross, the development arm linked to billionaire Stephen Ross, which has been rapidly expanding across downtown West Palm Beach and recently broke ground on a 28-story waterfront condominium, according to WFLX. James has said Ross offered $30 million to buy key waterfront parcels and donate them to the city for a park, a detail reported by WPBF, and Related Ross has described its growing portfolio as part of a broader citybuilding push on its own website.
Legal reality: eminent domain in Florida
Florida law sharply defines when governments can force a property sale. The Florida Constitution states, “No private property shall be taken except for a public purpose and with full compensation,” and the state’s detailed rules on condemnation appear in legislative guidance and statute, as summarized by the Florida Legislature and state analysis. Property owners can challenge whether a taking truly serves a public use or fight over full compensation in court, and Florida practice typically focuses on procedures to determine fair market value and related damages.
What comes next
City officials say any waterfront park proposal would have to go through the city’s public review process and include chances for community input, according to The Palm Beach Post. The Coniglio family says it is now in talks with the city about staying put at the current location, and downtown residents and business owners say they plan to keep a close eye on future design materials and public meetings as the high-stakes waterfront fight plays out.
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