The Delray Beach City Commission created the Community Redevelopment Agency in June 1985. Since that time, the CRA has led redevelopment efforts, working to strengthen the local economy, build a sustainable downtown, provide affordable housing, and improve the quality of life within the CRA District and city as a whole. The CRA's activities and programs have helped to increase the tax base within the CRA district from $245.6 million in 1985 to $1.2 billion today.
- 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 Beautification: in a joint venture with the City, the CRA invested over $1 million 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 invested an additional $2.8 million to continue that beautification from 6th through 12th avenues.
- Municipal Parking: The Delray Beach CRA 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. The CRA also 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 Delray Beach Public Library. The agency also 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. In 2009, the CRA agreed to fund 75% of the costs of a recently completed downtown parking study.
- NW/SW 5th Avenue Beautification: The CRA invested over $1 million towards the beautification of NW/SW 5th Avenue and provided an additional $25,000 in funding for the artist Gary Moore to work with City engineers to create a unique artistic element to be incorporated into the NW/SW 5th Avenue business corridor. The CRA also committed an additional $68,000 to allow Gary Moore 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 invested appoximately $2.2 million for the building's rehabilitation its conversion to a senior citizen affordable housing complex.
- 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 series 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 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. In 2008, the CRA began funding a new position with the DMC that focuses exclusively on marketing the West Atlantic Redevelopmen Area and Pineapple Grove Arts District.
- Affordable Housing: The CRA was an active partner in the Renaissance Program, which assisted more than 170 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 Delray Beach Community Land Trust (CLT), contributing land, subsidies, construction financing, and operational funding so that the nonprofit organizationa can provide long-term workforce and affordable housing. The agency has also purchased and rehabilitated 48 affordable rental units, including the La France Apartments, which provides rental housing for low-income seniors.
- 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. In 2009, the CRA became the official sponsor of the "Holiday Season of the Arts" at Old School Square.
- 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. In 2008, the CRA also began contributing funds toward the library's annual operations.
- Municipal Tennis Center Stadium: The CRA contributed $481,000 for the initial redevelopment development of the stadium. Since 2008, the CRA has allocated $1 million for sponsorship of major tournaments at the tennis center.
- 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.
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