City and CRA Host New Downtown Meeting, Introduce Community Center Architects
The City of Pompano Beach and the Pompano Beach CRA, in partnership with RocaPoint Partners, recently held a New Downtown community meeting at the E. Pat Larkins Community Center. Residents, business owners, and community stakeholders gathered to hear project updates, learn about opportunities to participate, and enjoy a meet-and-greet with the architects selected for the new E. Pat Larkins Community Center—Studio-US and METICULOUS.
During the event, we had the opportunity to speak with Stacey Boynton, Principal of Studio-US, about her role in this transformative Downtown project. As a small business owner herself, Boynton noted that the entrepreneurial energy in the room was palpable. "Sitting in a room filled with entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders reminded me that there is already tremendous talent, vision, and innovation within Pompano Beach," she shared. "I hope the E. Pat Larkins Community Center becomes a place where that energy continues to thrive."
For Boynton, community input is the vital cornerstone of her architectural process rather than just a preliminary step.
“Community feedback helps us move beyond designing a building and toward creating a place that truly serves its users,” she said. “Residents often provide insights into how spaces are used, what programs are needed, and what values should be reflected in the project. This center carries the name of Elijah Pat Larkins, Pompano Beach’s first Black mayor. Honoring his legacy begins with listening. Before we can design a place that serves the community, we must first understand.”
This collaboration carries deep historical weight, and Boynton emphasizes that honoring his memory requires designing a space for the community he served and the future they envision for generations to come.
"Architecture is about much more than buildings. It influences quality of life, economic development, public safety, and community identity," Boynton explained, balancing the technical demands of safety and resiliency with social responsibility.
Boynton’s leadership on this high-profile project also represents a significant milestone for representation in a field where Black women make up less than half of one percent of licensed architects in the U.S. Through her active outreach in local schools and professional programs, she hopes to open doors for the next generation.
"Representation matters because people often need to see what is possible before they can imagine it for themselves," she stated. "This project demonstrates the impact that diverse voices can have on shaping our built environment. I hope young people see that leadership comes in many forms. Whether through architecture, public service, business, education, or community advocacy, they have the ability to create meaningful change. If this project helps even one young person see new possibilities for their future, that would be incredibly rewarding.”
Looking ahead to the physical design, Boynton plans to create an experiential environment woven with natural light, textures, and elements that embody the city's motto, "Florida’s Warmest Welcome." Her ultimate goal is for the community center to remain the true heartbeat of the neighborhood within the New Downtown vision.
"I often say architecture should be felt as much as it is seen because our experience of a place extends far beyond what is visible," Boynton said. "My greatest hope is that residents feel a sense of pride when they walk through the doors. The legacy of E. Pat Larkins deserves more than a building bearing his name. It deserves a place that reflects the values he stood for and inspires future generations to lead, serve, and invest in their community."
There will be many New Downtown community meetings planned over the months ahead, including the next one scheduled for Friday, July 24. To stay up to date all aspects of the New Downtown, please visit https://www.downtownpompanobeach.org/.
