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CONNECT DDA Behind the Scenes
The DDA Is Here For You
We encourage you to be our partner and communicate your thoughts
and ideas:
• DDA Board Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at
12 p.m. at City Hall, 1st floor conference room
• Call: 561.243.1077
• Email: DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com
• Participate in DDA program & marketing opportunities
• Update your merchant landing page at
DowntownDelrayBeach.com
• For information on news and events including upcoming Website
Workshop Sessions, be sure to check DowntownDelrayBeach.com/
merchants and join the Downtown Delray Beach Business Owners
Facebook group
Visitor Information Center Ribbon Cutting
Visitor Information Center is Now Open
The Delray Beach Visitor Information Center located on the beachside at
2 S. Ocean Boulevard has re-opened with triple the space and a whole
new look following an extensive refresh. The Downtown Development
Authority (DDA) manages the Center which is staffed by volunteers
Monday through Sunday from 9a.m. to 5p.m.
“We are always excited to share our Delray Beach hospitality with the
thousands of visitors and residents who visit the Center each year,” said
Laura Simon, Executive Director, Delray Beach DDA. “With this updated
look and feel, we can really showcase all that our Village by the Sea has
to offer.”
The Delray Beach DDA spearheaded the renovation project in
partnership with the City of Delray Beach for a combined investment
of more than $100,000. Local architect, Roy Simon (Roy M. Simon, A.I.A,
Architect), and interior designer Maura Taft (Maura Taft & Associates),
generously donated their time, talent and services toward this project.
Thank you to the Center’s dedicated volunteers, and to the Sandoway
Discovery Center which served as the Satellite Visitor Information Center,
as well as the Visitor Information Center located at the Greater Delray
Beach Chamber of Commerce
The DDA stimulates, enhances, and sustains DowntownDelrayBeach.com
the economic vitality of Downtown Delray #DowntownDelray
Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by
locals and visitors.
Laura Simon, Executive Director
lsimon@downtowndelraybeach.com
Lauren Lyall, Operations Manager
llyall@downtowndelraybeach.com
Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority
85 SE 4th Avenue, Suite 108 • Delray Beach, FL 33483 • 561.243.1077 • FAX 561.243.1079
Property & Business Owner Annual
Town Hall Meeting
The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hosted the
Annual Town Hall Session for Property & Business Owners – “State of the
Downtown”- on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Crest Theatre
at Old School Square. DDA Board President Peter Arts welcomed more
than 150 guests, followed by Laura Simon, Executive Director who shared
the mission and focus of the organization – marketing of the Downtown
District, placemaking, and economic vitality. She also included highlights
of Delray Beach Fashion Week, the Downtown Security Ambassador Pilot
Program and Savor the Avenue.
Featured speaker Robert Gibbs, Gibbs Planning Group, presented the
results of the Downtown Delray Beach Downtown Retail Market Study
and the Downtown Shopability Analysis. Highlights included:
• Through the Retail Market Analysis, provided the categories of retail/
restaurants that are supportable within the Downtown.
• Provided strong recommendations from the customers point of view
regarding ways to enhance the Downtown shopping experience
including first impressions, and how important these are for a return visit.
• Downtown Delray Beach has a walkability score of 92 out of 100 -
among the highest in the nation.
• Reviewed all master plans, land development regulations, codes,
parking regulations, and signage, and provided short, medium and long-
term recommendations to create the #1 Downtown in the US.
“Delray Beach is one of the top five downtown shopping districts in the
US,” said Robert J. Gibbs, AICP, ASLA, Gibbs Planning Group. “It is filled
with an exciting collection of restaurants, specialty shops and hotels all
clustered around beautiful, walkable streets and squares. Delray has
the rare X-Factor desired out by many millennials, young families, empty
nesters and tourists.”
To view the complete reports, please visit: DowntownDelrayBeach.com/
Research-Data. The DDA is appreciative of Dada and Dr. Doodles Donuts
for providing refreshments at the Property & Business Owners Town Hall.
Property & Business Owner Annual Town Hall Meeting
Richalyn Miller, Marketing Coordinator
rmiller@downtowndelraybeach.com
Kellie Ames, Project Coordinator
kames@downtowndelraybeach.com
BJ Sklar, Visitor Center Services Coordinator
bjsklar@downtowndelraybeach.com