News

Laura Simon Named To International Downtown Association Council

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - 12:56pm

Delray Beach, FL (April 2, 2018)…Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority(DDA) Executive Director Laura Simon has been selected to serve on the International Downtown Association(IDA) Nightime Economy Council. She will work with five other members representing Downtown Orlando, Jacksonville, Lower Eastside NYC, Denver and Winnipeg, to create best practices for developing a nightime economy for established, growing and emerging Downtown urban districts. Ms. Simon has worked for the Delray Beach DDA since 2010, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2015.

About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to stimulate, enhance and sustain the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by locals and visitors. For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.

Downtown Delray Beach Property & Business Owners and Residents Attend Annual Town Hall Session

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - 12:10pm

Delray Beach, FL (April 4, 2018)…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 the 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.
Providing 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: www.DowntownDelrayBeach.com/Research-Data. The DDA is appreciative of Dada and Dr. Doodles Donuts for providing refreshments at the Property & Business Owners Town Hall.

About the Downtown Delray Beach Retail Market Study: The report includes a written and illustrated summary of relevant population and demographic characteristics of the Downtown trade area, including the socioeconomic characteristics and buying patterns; and a qualitative opinion as to whether or not retail development is supportable, sales forecasts, and size estimates of the retail categories.

About the Downtown Shopability Analysis: A comprehensive, market-based plan for the downtown commercial district to improve its retail market share and become more appealing to leading retailers and restaurants. The plan includes short- medium- and long-term strategies and recommendations for building infill, lighting, open space, parking, storefronts, streetscape, tenant mix, vehicular circulation and walkability that can be made to achieve maximum shopper appeal and potential sales

For more information, please contact the DDA by email DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com or call 561.243.1077.

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About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to stimulate, enhance and sustain the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by locals and visitors. For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.

CHEERS TO A SUCCESSFUL 10th ANNUAL SAVOR THE AVENUE; SALT7 WINS BEST TABLE DÉCOR AND PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 - 1:06pm

Delray Beach, FL (April 4, 2018)… Cheers to a successful 10^th Annual Savor the Avenue 2018! Downtown Delray Beach on East Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue to East Fifth Avenue (U.S. 1) was once again the place to be on March 26^th as 1,100 guests sat down for dinner together at the five block long, 1,320 feet dining table. This culinary tradition, made possible by the Delray Beach Magazine & Boca Raton Magazine’s partnership with the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and hosted by Steve Weagle of WPTV NewsChannel 5, showcased many of the award-winning restaurants located within the Downtown area.

For the 6th year, the Savor the Avenue restaurants competed in the “Best in Show” table décor contest. The winners were: 1^st place – Salt 7, 2^nd place – Max’s Harvest, and 3^rd place – 50 Ocean. For the People’s Choice Award, guests voted for their favorite Savor the Avenue table scape by uploading a picture of the best table to Facebook or Instagram, using #SavorPeoplesChoice and checking in to or tagging the restaurant name. The 2018 People’s Choice Award winner for the restaurant with the best table décor was Salt7.

The 16 restaurants with three chefs and at least 10 staff each prepared 4,400 food courses and included: 32 East, 50 Ocean, Avant, Cabana El Rey, Caffe Luna Rosa, Che!!!, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Cut 432, Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen, Lemongrass, Max’s Harvest, Rack’s Fish House & Oyster Bar, Rocco’s Tacos, Salt 7, The Office, and Vic & Angelo’s.

“Savor The Avenue is an economic development focused program for the DDA, and as such, guests were asked to participate in a survey and were entered into a drawing for an opportunity to win a dinner for two at a Downtown Delray Beach restaurant of their choice, ” said Laura Simon, Executive Director. In addition, the Not One Homeless Hungry Student Delray Beach initiative was the beneficiary of $3,200. Each guest reservation included a $3 contribution to this non-profit whose focus is to fill the hunger gap over the weekend for homeless students in Delray Beach. We greatly appreciate everyone’s support for this unique and social dining experience.”

Savor the Avenue is presented by: Delray Beach Magazine, Boca Raton Magazine, and the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority. Savor the Avenue 2018 was sponsored by: 236 Fifth Delray, Douglas Elliman, Atlas Event Rentals, and Grimes Events & Party Tents.

For more information, please visit downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077. To view photos from the event visit facebook.com/DelrayDDA and #SavorTheAvenue on Instagram.

ABOUT DELRAY BEACH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to stimulate, enhance and sustain the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by locals and visitors. For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.

DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH PROPERTY & BUSINESS OWNER ANNUAL TOWN HALL SESSION THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME!

Friday, March 16, 2018 - 1:19pm

Delray Beach, FL (March 16, 2018)…The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority(DDA) will host 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, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach. The public is encouraged to attend this event featuring Robert Gibbs, Gibbs Planning Group who will present the results of the Downtown Delray Beach Downtown Retail Market Study and the Downtown Shopability Analysis.

“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 my many millennials, young families, empty nesters and tourists.”

Downtown Delray Beach Retail Market Study: The report includes a written and illustrated summary of relevant population and demographic characteristics of the Downtown trade area, including the socioeconomic characteristics and buying patterns; and a qualitative opinion as to whether or not retail development is supportable, sales forecasts, and size estimates of the retail categories.

Downtown Shopability Analysis: A comprehensive, market-based plan for the downtown commercial district to improve its retail market share and become more appealing to leading retailers and restaurants. The plan includes short- medium- and long-term strategies and recommendations for building infill, lighting, open space, parking, storefronts, streetscape, tenant mix, vehicular circulation and walkability that can be made to achieve maximum shopper appeal and potential sales

To RSVP, please contact the DDA by email DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com or call 561.243.1077. To view the report: www.DowntownDelrayBeach.com/Research-Data.

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About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to stimulate, enhance and sustain the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by locals and visitors. 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