Page 9 - Annual Report Template
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Sundy Village (new development project)                RAYS OF DELRAY
                                                                               The Downtown Development
RECOVERY & PROGRESS                                                            Authority launched its “Rays of
                                                                               Delray”, legacy business, program
COVID-19 impacted the way our communities did                                  in May 2021, aimed at recognizing
business. Operationally and logistically business                              and promoting businesses based on
owners were forced to rethink and pivot how they                               their tenure in the Downtown. Some
generated revenue to remain in business. The                                   of the inaugural legacy businesses,
Downtown Development Authority lead the charge          include: Hand’s Stationery and the News Stand.
in advocating to assist merchants in temporary
measures, including:                                    PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

  •	 Outdoor use for Standalone bars                    The Downtown Development Authority developed
  •	 Waving of sign codes                               a robust partnership program for downtown
  •	 Extended sidewalk café for outdoor seating         businesses, corporations, and community
  •	 Temporary use of parking areas                     organizations to participate with the Downtown
As we progressed through the year, we experienced       Development Authority to further the mission and
an influx of relocating retailers and new retailers     provide engagement opportunities with excellent
transitioning from other career paths into our          exposure. The Downtown Development Authority
downtown. By year end, the downtown had                 is playing a vital role in leading the recovery efforts
onboarded over 60 new businesses. With this             for tourism and local economic sector and by
influx, our downtown workforce and supply chain         working together with our partners, businesses,
were impacted. The Downtown Development                 and the community, we will continue to see our
Authority, CRA, City, and Chamber of Commerce           Village by the Sea rebound strongly from this
came together to facilitate a city-wide job fair. Over  crisis. Our intention is to ensure the Delray Beach
60 businesses participated in three separate virtual    economy is positioned to power through the storm
job fairs.                                              and be a better destination as we rebound from the
                                                        pandemic.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

Downtown Delray Beach continued to see new
development and the completion of large,
significant project such as the long awaited Delray
Beach Market, the largest food hall in Florida and
the Ray Hotel in Pineapple Grove.

Delray Market                                           The Ray Hotel

                                                                       DDA Annual Report 2020–2021| 8
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