Mission | Community Redevelopment Plan CRA Board | Community Redevelopment Area CRA Funding | Major Accomplishments About the CRA Major Accomplishments CRA activities and programs helped to increase the tax base within the CRA district from $245.6 million in 1985 to $1.6 billion in 2005 East Atlantic Avenue Beautification: in a joint venture with the City, the CRA invested $1 million in improving East Atlantic Avenue with improved landscaping, bricked and widened sidewalks, new street lighting, underground utilities, and new signage. West Atlantic Avenue Beatification: in a joint venture with the City, the CRA has invested over $1 in the beautification of West Atlantic Avenue from 2nd through 6th Avenues with improved landscaping, bricked and widened sidewalks, new street lighting and underground utilities. The CRA has also committed an additional $2.8 million to continue that beautification from 6th through 12th avenues. Municipal Parking: spent $2.3 million beautifying downtown parking lots and providing attractive rear entrances for merchants; added 256 parking spaces; upgraded pavement, landscaping and lighting in existing lots; organized Parking Management Advisory Board, and provides funding for Parking Manager position at the City of Delray Beach. Contributed $334,000 towards the construction of the City's first parking garage located on SW 1st Avenue just east of the courthouse and south of the new public library site. Acquired property necessary for the construction of a 525-space public parking garage just east of the Old School Square campus, and contributed $6.5 million to the construction costs. NW/SW 5th Avenue Beautification: committed over $1 million towards the beautification of NW/SW 5th Avenue. Provided an additional $25,000 in funding for the artist Gary Moore to work with City engineers to create a unique look for the NW/SW 5th Avenue business corridor and bring an artistic element to the project. The CRA has also committed an additional $68,000 so that Gary Moore can continue to oversee the artistic elements of the project during the construction phase as well as design and fabricate bronze inlays for the sidewalk project. Historic Preservation: The CRA has contributed to the preservation of numerous prominent historic structures in Delray Beach, such as the Sundy House, Clark House, Tarrimore House, Flamingo Gas Station and the Masonic Lodge. In November of 2003 the CRA moved two Palm Beach County historic dwellings to 20 and 24 North Swinton Avenue and renovated them for use as office space. In July of 2001 the Spady Museum opened its door, finalizing a multi-year $465,000 project to restore this significant historical structure as a museum for the public to enjoy and learn from. Funding from this project came from the CRA ($105,000), the City ($40,000) and EPOCH ($70,000) as well as grants from Palm Beach County ($100,000) and the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources ($150,000). In 2004 the CRA acquired the La France Hotel on NW 4th Avenue and has committed $2.2 million for the rehabilitation of the building and its conversion to a senior citizen affordable housing complex. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum Banker's Row (NE 1st Ave): created a planning program for private property owners to preserve and restore the historic character of the area; spent over $300,000 improving the streetscape and constructing parking for the district. Downtown Marketing: the CRA contributes more than $300,000 annually to promote downtown Delray Beach and attract new merchants, virtually eliminating the 1991 retail vacancy rate of 35% and enhancing business for existing merchants. The CRA is a partner in the Downtown Marketing Cooperative, which created several new events to generate downtown retail activity including a Thursday night shopping event called "Art & Jazz on the Avenue" ; a three-day July 4th program; a two-week Christmas program; and a Friday Night summer event called "Summer Nights on the Avenue". In 2004 the CRA contributed $122,000 towards "sprucing up" the City's 100' Christmas tree with new branches, ornaments and lights, and provides funding annually to maintain the tree frame. The CRA shares in the costs of the salary for the Business Recruitment Director and funds studies and plans related to the development and implementation of marketing strategies. In 2005, the CRA contributed to the WARC-sponsored event series called Rhythm & Blues on the Avenue, which took place at various sites on West Atlantic Avenue. Affordable Housing: the CRA was an active partner in the Renaissance Program, which assisted more than 160 low and moderate income households to become homeowners through credit counseling, down payment subsidies and land acquisition. The CRA contributed $200,000 for the purchase of land for the redevelopment of the Delray Beach Housing Authority’s Carver Estates project. The CRA is the driving force behind the newly created Delray Beach Community Land Trust (CLT), providing land, staff time, and funding to establish this nonprofit entity to provide long-term workforce and affordable housing. Old School Square: The CRA contributed $150,000 for debt service in prior years, and is making debt payments to the City on behalf of Old School Square (a $300,000 note payable over 10 years). The CRA also provides annual operating funds to Old School Square to support its outreach efforts to community groups and nonprofit organizations. South County Courthouse Expansion: The CRA acquired nearly $2 million in property to accommodate the courthouse expansion. This property now accommodates a shared parking garage for the Courthouse and the new public library. Public Library: the CRA contributed $1,000,000 towards the relocation of the public library to West Atlantic Avenue. This included a $334,000 contribution to the parking garage located south of the library on SW 1st Avenue in order to allow for a future expansion, and $666,000 towards the construction of the library building itself. Municipal Tennis Center Stadium: a City project in which the CRA contributed $481,000 for the development of the stadium. Neighborhood and Areawide Plans: The CRA provided funding and staff assistance in the creation of plans for the stabilization and beautification of numerous areas in the CRA district, and is funding various capital projects that are identified in those plans, including: The West Atlantic Avenue Redevelopment Plan, The Seacrest/Del Ida Neighborhood Plan, The North Federal Highway Redevelopment Plan, The Osceola Park Neighborhood Plan, The Southwest Neighborhood Plan, and the Downtown Master Plan.