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Delray Beach Master Plan Update: Week of June 19, 2017

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 2:00pm

We're continuing to make progress on the Beach Master Plan. The contractor continues to pour all three color concrete concepts between Casuarina Road and the Sandoway Parking Lot.  Folks can now see all three finished color patterns for the new sidewalk with the exposed aggregate concept. Underground utility construction continues at the south end of the beach near Boston's Sand Bar. The contractor started the installation of the new showers and fountains at the south end of the beach. 

Water Fountain

The general contractor removed the existing sidewalk, so it is very important that folks accessing the beach only use the identified access points, which provide safe entry. These safe entry points are currently located near South Lifeguard Tower No. 5, the Sandoway Parking Lot, and Boston's Sand Bar. Due to limited parking at the beach, a third Downtown Roundabout trolley between the parking garages and the beach is available.  A map of the new route is accessible on the City's website at www.mydelraybeach.com. 

 

Shower Station 

 

 

 

 

 

Beach Promenade benches, plaques and stone memorials have been removed and safely stored. Any donor of these items should contact Isaac Kovner at 561-243-7000, ext. 4119, to discuss options for future location.

 

Upcoming Activities:

  • Underground piping for the new showers and fountains between Sandoway Lot and Boston's Sand Bar continues to be installed.
  • Backfilling and compaction of the trench for the underground piping between Sandoway Lot and Boston's Sand Bar continues.
  • Concrete forms for the new sidewalk, north of Lifeguard Tower #5, continue to be installed.
  • The pouring of all three concrete colors for the sidewalk continues.
  • Sandblasting of the existing knee-wall continues.
  • The City & Contractor are planning for the July 4th holiday to allow pedestrians full access to the beachfront through open and protected walkways.

Parking:

As construction continues on the Promenade, certain on-street parking spaces along the beach will remain unavailable. However, we will make every effort to make parking alternatives accessible whenever possible. Parking in all public parking lots along the beach, including the Sandoway Lot, will continue to be available. For those who choose to park in public parking garages, a third trolley has been added with a new route featuring stops at the parking garages and additional stops along the beach to accommodate beach-goers.

Bicycle lanes:

Bicyclists will be able to use the bicycle lane, but we urge extra caution in this area.  The bicycle lane on Ocean Boulevard will be narrowed with barriers to protect the general public from the construction activities.

Worksite Safety:

The contractor has secured the Beach Promenade area on the north end of the Beach to create two safe zones - one for protected sidewalk and beach access for the public and one for protection of the construction site. Directional and informational signage is present. A safe zone for construction also is established on the south end of the Beach. Utility structures, irrigation, electrical and existing trees are protected from construction activities.

Public notifications concerning sidewalk closures are posted. The contractor is working with the public on providing safe entry to the beach through designated areas within the construction zone.

 

Contact information:

For questions concerning parking during construction, please contact Jorge Alarcon at (561) 243-7000 ext. 4112.

For the trolley service, please contact Xavier Falconi at (561) 243-7000 ext. 4113.

For general questions concerning the construction, please contact Isaac Kovner at (561) 243-7000 ext. 4119.

Stay informed with weekly up-to-date information by visiting our website (www.mydelraybeach.com) and information boards.

The City apologizes for any inconvenience the construction may impose.  We thank you for your patience and understanding.

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Delray Beach stakes the claim as 2017 'All-America' City

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 9:52am
DELRAY BEACH, FL, June 16, 2017 - Delray Beach has again captured the title of All-America City (AAC) for the third time, and stands as the only Florida city to yield this accomplishment.  Delray Beach was among fifteen communities across the country honored at the AAC conference in Denver, Colorado for its civic engagement to help young children from low-income families achieve grade-level reading proficiency and early school success.
 
"It's such an honor to receive our third All America City award, the oldest (1894) and most prestigious civic award by the National Civic League," said Mayor Cary Glickstein.  "We are the only Florida city to have accomplished this. Working together, we have made meaningful and measurable progress in addressing one of our country's greatest challenges - improving reading proficiency among our youth."
 
To select the fifteen Award recipients, a panel of judges examined the progress reports from the 27 communities that were nominated as finalists. The 2017 AAC Award recipients are communities that: 
  • Demonstrated they have moved the needle on outcomes for children from low-income families in at least two of the following community solutions areas: school readiness, school attendance, summer learning and/or grade-level reading.
  • Addressed the National Civic League's key process criteria of civic engagement, cross-sector collaboration and inclusiveness.Created a plan for sustainability and for aligning, linking, stacking and bundling proven and the most promising programs, practices, and strategies.
  • Bonus points will be awarded for communities that have a plan for sustainability and for aligning, linking, stacking and bundling the most promising and proven programs, practices and strategies.

The All-America City Award is the country's original and most prestigious community recognition award. Since its inception, more than 500 communities of all sizes have earned this distinguished title.Community members, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations continue to work together to address critical local issues. 

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The Downtown Ambassador Pilot Program has come to an end. Feedback Needed!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 5:20pm

The Downtown Ambassador Pilot Program has come to an end. It is imperative that we hear from our Downtown business community, residents and visitors in order to continue this program. 

Click here to learn more about the pilot program. 

Please let us know if you'd like to see the program continue:

If you are a Downtown resident, property owner, business owner or visitor, send a letter or email about this pilot program to: DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com and/or click here to take the Downtown Ambassador SURVEY.

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Delray Beach honored as "2017 Playful City USA Community"!

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - 2:12pm

DELRAY BEACH (May 17, 2017) - The City of Delray Beach is proud to announce that the national non-profit KaBOOM! is honoring the City with a 2017 Playful City USA designation for the second time. Playful City USA honors cities and towns across the country for putting the needs of families first so kids can learn, grow and develop important life skills. These communities are transforming ordinary places into playful spaces and using play as a solution to the challenges facing their residents.

The 2017 Playful City USA recognition includes 258 communities from across the nation that make it as easy as possible for kids to play. In total, these communities feature more than 14,000 safe and engaging playspaces that serve more than 4 million kids.

"The City of Delray Beach is proud to be recognized as a 2017 Playful City USA community," said City of Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein. "The City values the recreational and leisure pursuits of our residents and visitors and currently has 24 playgrounds located within our wonderful park system. In addition to our current play spaces, the City is working together with community partners to expand our play space inventory and will install a fitness park and new boundless playground before the end of the year. The City of Delray Beach is committed to providing quality places for our residents and visitors to "Get Out, Get Up, and Get Active" in our community."

As cities are becoming sources for innovation, communities across the country are creating inventive ways to attract and retain residents. Playful City USA honorees are taking bold action to ensure kids have great places to play - all with the ultimate goal of making play the easy choice for all kids, no matter where they live. In addition to the playground down the street, Playful City USA communities are turning grocery stores, vacant lots, crosswalks and sidewalks into opportunities for play.

"We are thrilled to recognize the City of Delray Beach for putting kids first," said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. "The well-being of our communities starts with the well-being of our kids, and play is critical for them to thrive. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all kids get the childhood they deserve filled with play."

To see the full list of Playful City USA communities and to learn more about making play the easy choice for kids, visit kaboom.org/playfulcityusa. You can also take part in the conversation with leaders across the country using #PLAYceforkids on Twitter and Facebook.

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ATLANTIC AVENUE NAMED ONE OF TOP 10 GREAT AMERICAN SHOPPING STREETS BY USA TODAY

Thursday, May 18, 2017 - 5:17pm

Delray Beach, FL (May 2017)…Robert Gibbs, a leading Urban Retail Consultant, named Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach as one of the top 10 great American Shopping Streets in a story for the May 5, 2017 edition of USA Today.  In referencing urban shopping districts, Mr. Gibbs said, “They have what I call the X-Factor of Urbanism. Very cool, historic and filled with interesting shops and restaurants, surrounded with walkable neighborhoods. Vacationers spend more time shopping than on any other vacation activity, making these neighborhoods natural for travelers.”

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hosted a Property & Business Owner Town Hall Session on April 19, and had Robert Gibbs present “New Trends in Urban Retail Planning and Development.  “We believe the information Mr. Gibbs shared will be a tremendous asset in supporting our current businesses as they continue to grow and succeed, while also providing property owners and developers with professional insight and industry knowledge that will assist their decision making as they attract new tenants Downtown, “ said Laura Simon, Executive Director, DDA.   “This is all part of the DDA’s charter, mission and current strategic plan.  We encourage everyone to view this story at www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2017/05/05/shopping-streets-districts/101287158/, as well as Gibbs' April 19th Town Hall presentation which was recorded and is available online at:  www.DowntownDelrayBeach.com/TownHall2017."

 

For more information, please contact the DDA office at 561.243.1077 or DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com.

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About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to enhance and stimulate balanced economic growth through position marketing activities that engage Downtown Businesses, residents and visitors, while creating a clean, safe, physical and experiential place to live, work and invest.  For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.

 

Media Contact: Sarah E. Flynn - Willcaro Communications LLC  

561.866.5064 - sarahf@willcarocomm.com

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