June 18, 2010: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) recently relocated to 85 S.E. 4th Ave., Ste. 108, in Delray Beach. The DDA is charged with supporting the merchants, galleries, restaurants and other businesses located along Atlantic Avenue and the surrounding corridor in downtown Delray Beach.

According to the DDA’s Executive Director Marjorie Ferrer, “The DDA has focused on taking proactive positive steps during the recent economic downtown to support and promote Downtown merchants, restaurateurs, hoteliers and business owners.” Since 1993, the DDA has helped spearhead the revitalization of the City by presenting daytime and nighttime activities in the downtown area. The DDA also has initiated concepts that have been key to Delray Beach’s emergence as a thriving Downtown, including Clean & Safe initiatives, improved transportation, guidance pathway signage, downtown banner campaigns and twinkle lights.
 
“We’re very excited about the future of Downtown Delray Beach,” says DDA Chairman Mike Listick. “We’re promoting the Downtown area as the place to be in South Florida. The increase in shoppers, diners and visitors will not only drive traffic to our local merchants but increase sales and revitalize the local economy,” he adds.
 
The Delray Beach DDA was created by Resolution 9-71, which became law on March 22, 1971, as a dependent district of the City of Delray Beach. The main areas of involvement in downtown redevelopment include:
• Involvement in marketing and promotions of the Downtown DDA District;
• Economic development programs;
• Security and crime prevention;
• Traffic and parking;
• Clean and Safe initiatives;
• Physical improvements;
• Reviewing the City Comprehensive Plan within the DDA boundaries;
• Housing and improvement of coordination with local boards and city departments.
 
For the past 17 years, the Delray Beach DDA has assisted in successfully branding Delray Beach as the Village by the Sea. In addition to the main areas mentioned above, the DDA also works closely with merchants to develop seasonal retail campaigns to generate traffic and sales and has created a powerful website (www.downtowndelraybeach.com) that attracts thousands of visits weekly. For more information, please contact the DDA at (561) 243-1077.