Location: green space north and south of West Atlantic Avenue immediately east of I-95 ramps
Architect/Engineer: PBS&J in association with several local artists
Contact: Vince Wooten, Development Manager 561-276-8640

Project Description: A major theme of the Downtown Plan is the unification of East and West Atlantic Avenue into a seamless downtown. An important component of that theme is the creation of an attention-grabbing entry or "Gateway" feature at West Atlantic Avenue and I-95 that would signify to visitors that they had arrived at someplace special: Downtown Delray Beach. Landscape architects and engineers from the firm of PBS&J, along with textile artist Michelle Newman, held public workshops and collaborated with a focus group to create an entrance feature that will be representative of the unique character and history of the city.

The design concept consists of special crosswalks, landscaped berms, trellises, and a series of six (6) columns with artistic designs representing Delray’s cultural heritage. The concept has been approved by the Florida Highway Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation. The final design was completed by the summer of 2007. The State has awarded two landscape grants to the Gateway Feature project. The first installment of new landscaping was completed in 2006, and the second phase was installed in the summer of 2007.

Construction of the columns and remaining improvements, which began in late 2012, ended in March 2013. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on March 14, 2013 to commemorate the completion of the project. The $1.8 million project was funded largely by the CRA, which contributed $983,082, with an additional $199,760 provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. 

View the commemorative program from the ribbon cutting ceremony . 

View detailed images of the column designs and project installation on the CRA Facebook page.

Learn more about the mural designs on the columns by reading the Artist Statement , from Michelle Newman.