HISTORY OF THE JUDGE EDWARD RODGERS CENTER 

FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

In 2016, Riviera Beach Maritime Academy, a public charter school, closed its doors making the nine-acre facility available. Brother 'Judge' Edward Rodgers requested Brother Dr. George L. Lockhart, Supervising Principal of The Department of Charter Schools, School District of Palm Beach County Schools, to inquire if the school district would consider releasing the (former) charter school to Brother Rodgers for communal use within the city limits of Riviera Beach.  The Department of Charter Schools (via the School board) respected Brother Rodger's plea to obtain the buildings on the land and promptly released the facility to the fraternity.

 

THE WORK BEGINS

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The permission to occupy the land, on which the facility rested, from the City of Riviera Beach was engineered behind the efforts of Brother Edward Rodgers, Brother Alfred Fields - Fraternity President, Brother Dr. George Lockhart, Brother Morris Bell (Past President), and Brother Grasford Smith (Attorney).

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Brother Grasford Smith was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of the assets within the building terms of the lease with the City of Riviera Beach.  With the facility acquired, the fraternity moved to the City of Riviera Beach to request the use of the land.

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On March 21, 2018, the City of Riviera Beach voted to allow Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to assume the land usage located at 251 W 11th St, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. The nine-acre facility has been aptly named: 

 

The Judge The Judge Edward Rodgers Center for Community Development

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