Page 3 - Annual Report Template

WHAT A YEAR
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is with great appreciation to our Downtown
community, business owners, property owners,
visitors, and most of all the Downtown Development
Authority team who have contributed greatly to
the success of this year. Remaining steadfast on
the mission to sustain, stimulate, and enhance the
economic vitality of the Downtown district has led
to exceeding expectations and making the district
one of the top places to visit, live, and invest.
We experienced uncertainty and challenges;
learned and reimagined new ways to make
a positive impact for our community and
stakeholders; developed safe reopening and
rebound tourism plans, and experienced new
growth in our downtown. The Downtown
Development Authority board and team created
a strong plan for the year which would allow
opportunity to remain flexible, create new ways
of involvement while being mindful of the health
crisis and new reopening issues impacting the
economy. Working closely with the constituents,
city staff, and partner organizations, including the
International Downtown Association to navigate
these new challenges, the District is poised to do
well moving into Fiscal year 2021–2022.
A few highlights of ways the Downtown
Development Authority reinvested back into the
community and paved new ways of engagement
were:
• Reimagining events and creating new
opportunities for engagement such as Delray
Beach Fashion Week Reimagined, Very Merry
Monday’s, and a spread out Savor the Avenue,
COVID–19 Style
• Welcoming over 70 new businesses, new
buildings, and hundreds of new residents into
the district
• Launch of the “Rays of Delray”–our Legacy
Business Program
• Continuing new and current redevelopment
projects
• Upgrading the decorative lighting program
• Enhancing the engagement of the Downtown
Safety Ambassador Program
The year of 2021 marked a large
milestone for the Downtown
Development Authority of
50 years since the statute
was signed. Celebrating this
incredible milestone and sharing
the organizations history was
extremely important to the board,
past and present, as well as the
team. Recognizing the amount
of reinvestment of the tax back
into the district, those who
contributed to the organization
over the many years, and
celebrating all accomplishments with stakeholders
and city officials was fabulous and much fun was
had by all!
As an organization, we look forward to continued
collaboration with our stakeholders and partner
organizations as we embark on the next 50 years.
Please remain involved and engaged with the
organization and team. We are here to work on
your behalf and are passionate about Downtown
and its very bright future.
Laura SimonSee you downtown!
Laura Simon
Executive Director
Downtown Development Authority
A PROUD MEMBER OF
PROUD CITY PARTNER OF
DDA Annual Report 2020–2021| 2