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Downtown Development Authority to focus DDA budget on clean-and-safe and public-realm programs
Summary
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority presented its fiscal 2025'26 priorities to the CRA board, proposing added ambassadors and expanded clean-and-safe services while modestly reducing some marketing and study budgets.
Tanika James Faiman, executive director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, presented the DDA's proposed 2025'26 budget and priorities to the CRA and city commission on Aug. 4, 2025. The DDA said it will emphasize public-realm maintenance, safety and ambassador services while continuing business incentives and cultural programming.
James said the DDA's recent residential and business surveys showed "clean and safe was a top priority" and that the DDA will allocate most of its spending to public-realm and district services. "Sixty-five percent of our budget is focused on clean and safe programs between public realm and district services," she said.
Nut graf: The DDA proposal seeks to add six ambassador positions (two-person teams) to increase on-the-street presence, expand pressure washing and landscape maintenance, and maintain incentive programs while trimming professional-services and marketing lines now that several surveys and studies have been completed.
James provided a revenue and timeline overview and described the DDA's operating rhythm: draft budget development in May'June, board review and city/CRA coordination, final adoption in September, and TIF reconciliation after the tax-collection cycle. Her slides showed a projected year-over-year revenue increase in the mid single digits and a total proposed DDA expenditure of about $11 million for the coming fiscal year, with roughly $1.2 million in personnel costs.
She described several performance highlights from the DDA's recent work: more than 4,500 participants in 55 placemaking programs; regular ambassador condominium check-ins and business outreach; and a shift toward TV and digital advertising based on survey feedback. James also said the DDA has contracted with a single vendor (Block by Block) for consolidated ambassador and clean-team services.
Commissioners asked for clarification about incentives and Clematis Street tenancy. James said many Clover-area improvements and leasehold upgrades already are in place and that the DDA will prioritize side-street activation and business incentives for leasehold work that remains out of code or in need of upgrades.
Ending: The DDA asked the CRA board to note the presentation; the DDA's final budget will go to the DDA board for adoption in September and return for any interlocal approvals as required.
