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Press Release

DELRAY BEACH DDA CELEBRATES FOUNDER ROY M. SIMON (1930 - 2024)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - 1:39pm

Roy M. Simon, Delray Beach Architect and Founder of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, Passed Away Today, August 14, 2024

Delray Beach, Florida – August 14, 2024: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Roy Simon, a cherished member of the Delray Beach community. Simon, age 93, a longtime architect and founder of the Delray Beach DDA, passed away today, August 14, 2024. Simon, who is also the father of current Executive Director of the DDA, Laura Simon, was surrounded by family.Simon was born in Delray Beach and grew up in Downtown Delray where he attended Delray Beach Elementary School and Delray Beach High School – both of which are now part of Old School Square. He was the grandson and son of Delray Beach pioneers who first settled in Downtown Delray Beach in 1912. Simon, one Delray Beach’s oldest working architects, established his firm in Delray Beach in 1959, providing architectural services in building design, preparation of construction documents, interior design, historic preservation, and more. One of his most notable projects was the recently demolished Atlantic Plaza near Veterans Park, open from 1987 to 2023. He also designed Pompey Park, the original Urban Outfitters building and many of the churches in Delray Beach, such as Trinity Lutheran and St. Vincent’s Catholic Church.

In 1971, Simon founded the Delray Beach DDA in order to grow, strengthen, and enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach. His mission was to create parking for visitors and employees in Downtown Delray. He spearheaded the creation of the in-lieu parking program, and he assembled and helped the DDA acquire the majority of the public parking lots in Downtown Delray Beach. Then in 1987, Simon was part of a “task force” created to save the buildings that had once housed Delray Beach Elementary and High School but had since been abandoned by the Palm Beach County School District. Simon, along with Frances Bourque and Ken Simback, had a vision of turning the property into a people-oriented activity center for the arts and culture – one that would revitalize downtown Delray forever – and they called it Old School Square. The task force then officially created the Old School Square Foundation.

Simon was an active member of many boards for Delray Beach and Palm Beach County, including the Code Enforcement Board, Community Appearance Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustments. He served as Vice President and two-time President of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, was a former Trustee and Board Member of the Old School Square Historic Preservation Project, and twice served as Chairman of the Delray Beach DDA. A charter board member and 42-year board member of the Delray Beach Historical Society, he also served as a Trustee since 1977. As a member of the Rotary Club, he earned the “Service Above Self” award.

Simon resided in the Delray Beach Lake Ida neighborhood for more than 65 years and dedicated his life to the growth and vitality of his beloved city. You could find him eating lunch almost every day at his favorite restaurant, the Green Owl and he always honked as he drove past the DDA offices in Downtown Delray on his way home from work. His widow, Beth, who was by his side since 1961, passed away in 2023.

“My father’s passion and commitment to his hometown and, most of all, the DDA is incredible. There was not a day that went by where he did not ask how Downtown Delray and the DDA were doing, along with sharing what we SHOULD be doing to help downtown prosper,” said his daughter Laura Simon who started with the DDA in 2010 after her father’s encouragement. “It is and has been truly an honor and privilege to serve in his footsteps for my hometown.”

 

Photos of Roy Simon, courtesy of the Simon Family: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/otzyyedcito8wnv4e3wub/AFzLHj2DHBXszsv7eVKI58s?rlkey=9dkpz5ni67tu6xug1amcm8kvj&st=cm0splf2&dl=0

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"Wings Over the Square" Butterfly Art Installation "Flying" Over Old School Square

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - 2:45pm

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the installation of the new art activation at Old School Square in Downtown Delray Beach called “Wings Over the Square".

The extensive butterfly art installation is up just in time for the 2nd Annual Delray Walls Mural Fest on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. “Wings Over the Square” by artist Lisa Littell is part of the DDA’s “Summer at the Square” initiative, a months-long series of exciting summer happenings at Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach.
 
“Wings Over the Square” features ten large (four-feet tall) butterfly installations with smaller groupings in the Amphitheatre area of Old School Square campus for photo ops. The butterflies will also be painted on the exterior doors of the Cornell Art Museum as well as featured inside the museum as part of an upcoming exhibition, “Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Earth,” which opens September 6, 2024.
 
“We are excited to bring this creative, whimsical and unique art installation to downtown Delray,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Delray Beach DDA. “Our hope is that Wings Over the Square will bring feelings of joy, lightness, and transformation to our residents and visitors that visit our downtown this summer.”
 
“Wings Over the Square” was created by professional fine artist, graphic artist and muralist, Lisa Littell. The butterfly art serves as a symbol of transformation and love for Littell, who said she hopes to create a ripple of positivity and joy that transcends boundaries and touches the heart. According to Littell, the butterflies are meant to send a message of hope to anyone who visits the installation.

Lisa Littell has found immense joy in creating art that touches hearts and brings smiles to the art appreciator. As a professional fine artist, graphic artist and muralist, her art is creative, whimsical and unique, always incorporating an interesting play on color and perspective. Through struggles and sacrifices in her personal life, her art has been both empowering and inspiring, allowing expression of emotions for herself and her collectors. The art breaks down walls of isolation and provides a space where creativity, passion and connection flourish. The butterfly art, as a symbol of transformation and love, marks a new chapter as she hopes to create a ripple of positivity and joy that transcends boundaries and touches the heart. The butterflies are sending a message of hope for anyone who visits the installation.

"Wings Over the Square" will be up at Old School Square through at least the end of September. 

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New Restaurants and Retailers Opening in Downtown Delray

Friday, July 12, 2024 - 10:42am

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is excited to announce the opening and expansion of numerous new and existing restaurants and retailers in Downtown Delray Beach this summer and beyond.

“We are excited for the continued growth of Downtown Delray Beach,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Delray Beach DDA. “Not only are we continuing to bring in new retailers, businesses and restaurants to our business district, but we are successfully and quickly filling vacancies as existing businesses choose to leave or move locations at the end of their leases. These are all signs of a healthy downtown.”

Visitors and residents to Downtown Delray Beach can expect the following this summer and in the coming months:

RESTAURANTS/CAFES:

  • Subculture Coffee is opening its new Downtown Delray Beach location at 302 NE 6th Avenue (Northbound Federal Highway). The grand opening is Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 5pm. 
  • Kapow Noodle Bar will open at Salt7’s former location (32 SE 2nd Ave) in the Fall of 2024.
  • Michelin-starred Chef Michael Mina will open his Bourbon Steak restaurant at The Seagate Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. The new space will seat 310 and feature a 34-seat bar, patio seating, and a private dining room for 24. It is expected to open in late 2024.
  • Amar Bistro is moving to the Bar 25 location on Federal Highway (25 SE 6th Ave) where it will offer a full bar, covered outdoor patio and additional seating. The new Amar Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar is scheduled to open in September 2024. Amar’s current location (522 E Atlantic Ave.) will reopen in November 2024 as Gesto, an artisanal pizza shop.
  • The owners of Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach will open a similar concept in the former Pour and Famous location at 524 W. Atlantic Ave. Tropical Smokehouse is a Florida BBQ restaurant.
  • Pura Vida is opening in the former BurgerFi location at 6 S. Ocean Blvd. on the southwest corner of Atlantic Avenue and A1A. Pura Vida is a healthy-minded café serving natural, wholesome foods.
  • The Standard, a modern American restaurant and bar with one location in Mizner Park, has opened its second spot to replace The OG at 166 SE 2nd Ave.
  • Lefkes will open July 2024 in the Delray Beach Market. Lefkes offers traditional Greek dining.
  • Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, located in New Haven, CT, will open a South Florida location at 105 E Atlantic Ave, which was formerly Cabana El Rey.
  • True Grit Hospitality has taken over the former Taverna Opa space at 270 E. Atlantic Ave. and will open a new concept, “Roka Hula,” a full service modern Asian Tiki Bar & Restaurant.
  • The Bridge Café is expanding into the vacant space just east of its current location (814 E. Atlantic Ave) where the owners will open a complementary concept.
  • Gabriella’s Modern Italian, created by the popular New Jersey restaurant of similar name and concept, Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse, will open this October on NE Seventh Avenue within Atlantic Crossing.
  • Jerk and Lime at Nicole’s House, a family-owned Jamaican fusion restaurant, is opening late summer/fall at 182 NW 5th Avenue.
  • Johnny’s Deli opened at Toni’s Market on West Atlantic Avenue near the Tennis Center.

RETAIL:

  • New York City-based gourmet cookie shop, Chip City, opened its first Delray location at 302 E Atlantic Ave, Unit 302, in May.
  • Candle Land opened at 415 E. Atlantic Ave on June 9.
  • Delray Design Studio by Zelman Style Interiors opened on June 13th at 111 SE 1st Avenue.
  • Tootsies and Kokonuts are being combined and moving to 400 E Atlantic (Global Pursuit).
  • House of Perna is relocating from Arts Warehouse to Shoppes at the Ray on NE 2nd Ave. This will be fashion designer Amanda Perna’s second downtown location (she also co-owns A Little Wyld).
  • The Shops at the Seagate are moving to Pineapple Grove where they will reopen as Tern Studio
  • Surf District, located in Ocean City Lumber Co. (220 NE 1st St.) is under new ownership.
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Cornell Art Museum and City of Delray Beach Recognize Earth Month

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - 4:00pm

The Cornell Art Museum, in collaboration with the City of Delray Beach Sustainability and Resilience Office, is hosting a full day of lectures and presentations in honor of Earth Month on Saturday, April 20.



Topics will include Florida Habitat Restoration, Florida Corals, Plastics and Sea Turtles, Home Energy Ratings, Building Performance, Climate Action Planning and more. All events are free, open to the public and will take place at the Cornell Art Museum in Old School Square (51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach). Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22.



WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Full schedule of events is as follows:



10:15 AM - Florida Habitat Restoration - Speaker: George Gann, Executive Director, Institute for Regional Conservation



* Native ecosystems in cities like Delray Beach are resources to be protected, treasured, and restored. They are also key to preventing extinctions of native plants and animals and increasing resilience in the face of climate change. Learn how Delray Beach is restoring native habitats for the future and how you too can restore nature at home or work. Healthy urban ecosystems are resilient urban ecosystems that will provide myriad ecosystem services for people and nature far into the future.



11:15 AM - Plastics and Sea Turtles: Unraveling the Tangled Threat - Speaker: Heather Seaman, M.Sc., Florida Atlantic University PhD. Student



* Dive deep into the heart of our oceans, where an invisible crisis unfolds, threatening the very fabric of marine life. In this compelling talk, we unravel the tale of how our seemingly insatiable appetite for plastic has led to an environmental conundrum, casting a shadow over the majestic sea turtles. With plastic production hitting astonishing highs and showing no signs of slowing down, our oceans have become a minefield for sea turtles. Mistaking plastic for prey, these creatures are ingesting deadly meals that lead to gut compaction, perforation, and a silent, toxic assault from chemical leaching. Sea turtles are not the only ones in danger, due to the widespread presence of plastics in the environment.



12:15 PM - Florida Corals and You - Speaker: Charis Peterson, Coral Biologist, Education Coordinator, The Reef Institute



* This talk will explain what is happening to coral in Florida, why it should matter to the average person, and what we are doing to fix the problem.



1:15 PM - How many MILES PER GALLON does your HOME get? or How I stopped worrying and learned to LOVE the SCIENCE - Speaker: Christian Chitester, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Delray Beach



* An introduction to the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) ratings and the fundamentals of resilience through energy efficiency in homes. Learning objectives include…What is a HERS rating and what does it tell you about your home? Where does your home use and lose energy? How is a home’s performance tested? What does this mean to you and your community, and why should you care?



2:15 PM - Introduction to Building Performance Benchmarking and EPA Portfolio Manager - Speaker: Christian Chitester, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Delray Beach



* In this presentation we will explore the concept of building performance benchmarking and its significance in enhancing energy efficiency



3:15 PM - Climate Action Planning: Raising Awareness and Gathering Public Input - Speaker: Kent Edwards, Sustainability Officer, City of Delray Beach



* The effects of climate change are already impacting Delray Beach. We are experiencing, hotter days for a longer part of the day and night; more frequent extremely heavy rainfall events; and more of the hurricanes that form are reaching a high category. This is a local and global issue, and there are things we can do to prepare our community and address the global issue. This session will discuss climate planning in the south Florida region, including main topical areas used in climate action plans.



For more information regarding Earth Month, please visit: https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events/city-of-delray-beach-earth-month and https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/services/advanced-components/basic-pages/calendar-month-view.

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Cornell Art Museum Showcases New Emoji Art Exhibition

Monday, March 25, 2024 - 4:03pm

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced the opening of the Cornell Art Museum’s newest art exhibition: "Emotional Intelligence: Sculpting the Language of the Digital Age" by Matthew LaPenta. The exhibition, featured in the Cornell Art Museum’s Spotlight Gallery, will be on view April 5 to June 30, 2024 and is free and open to the public.



To celebrate its arrival, the museum is hosting an Opening Reception during First Friday Art Walk on Friday, April 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. The free event will feature a meet and greet with LaPenta, live music and refreshments.



“The Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square strives to present high-quality, diverse and inclusive art for all ages,” said Marusca Gatto, the DDA’s Cultural Arts Director. “In showcasing this exhibition, we are sparking an important conversation on society’s use of emojis to communicate more effectively. By using these internationally recognized symbols, our emotions, thoughts and intentions are more easily understood by our intended audience.”



For the last 10 years, LaPenta has reimagined emojis in the enduring medium of bronze, creating a captivating dialogue between technology and tradition. He invites viewers to contemplate the evolving ways we convey feelings in an increasingly interconnected world. His one to five foot sculptures celebrate the universality of emotions and also serve as a reflection of our changing cultural landscape, where digital symbols take on physical form, preserving their significance for generations to come. He has shown his work across the U.S., as well as in Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.



“While experimenting with digital symbols in other mediums, I realized there was this whole other language of emojis that had yet to be recorded in a meaningful way,” said LaPenta.” Seamlessly merging modern communication with timeless artistic craftsmanship, LaPenta’s bronze sculptures transcend the digital realm, offering a tangible representation of the emotions and expressions that have become integral to contemporary human interaction. “If you think back to ancient times and the use of hieroglyphics,” added LaPenta, “we have been using iconography as language for over 5,000 years, and there is a universal significance to that.”



The exhibition is ideal for guests of all ages. The Cornell Art Museum is free and open to the public. Hours are: Wednesday 12-5PM; Thursday & Friday 12-7PM; Saturday 10AM-5PM; and Sunday 12-5PM.



Connect with the artist on Instagram @matthewlapenta. For purchase, please contact Matthew at thelapenta@gmail.com.



For a full list of events happening at the Cornell Art Museum, visit https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/cornell or call 561-654-2220.

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