CRA outlines budget priorities: West Atlantic redevelopment, $30–40M near‑term bonding for Northwest infrastructure and park transfers

CRA staff provided a year‑ahead budget overview and highlighted several priority projects and proposed transitions the board will consider during the budget cycle.

Why it matters: The CRA is planning major infrastructure borrowing to fund the Northwest neighborhood work and is prioritizing West Atlantic Avenue redevelopment while weighing how to allocate limited resources as project demands grow.

Key budget priorities and projects: Staff outlined long‑term redevelopment goals that include removal of slum and blight, land use changes, economic development, affordable and downtown housing, infrastructure and cultural facilities. Specific projects highlighted included modular commercial activation on the Northwest 800 block, townhouse development with accessory dwelling units on a Northwest block, and Pompey Park — a proposed $45 million renovation project for which the CRA said it has cash ready to support contractor mobilization.

Planned bonding for Northwest infrastructure: Staff and the city’s bond consultant discussed borrowing against three years of projected TIF revenue to fund near‑term Northwest neighborhood infrastructure. The estimate cited in the meeting was about $30–40 million needed over the next three years; staff noted the CRA currently holds approximately $8 million in cash and that the full five‑year program could eventually total substantially more as projects continue.

Transfers and program transitions: Staff proposed transferring ownership and maintenance responsibilities for Reverend JWH Thomas Park and for a parking lot at 215 Southeast Second Avenue to the City of Delray Beach to improve maintenance and enforcement efficiency. Staff also raised formally transitioning the A Guide funding and reducing CRA’s direct funding role for that program because of statutory changes affecting CRA responsibilities.

West Atlantic supermarket RFP discussion: Staff presented a draft request for proposals (RFP) approach to target a supermarket for the 600 block of West Atlantic Avenue and explained the board could carve that block out to make the parcel more attractive while continuing development work on the 700 and 800 blocks. Staff and commissioners discussed using the newly authorized commercial real estate agent to start outreach before issuing a formal RFP, with a goal of issuing a public solicitation in late summer or fall after further engagement.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a draft CRA budget after receiving the city budget request, schedule public meetings on West Atlantic plan updates this summer, continue modular commercial procurement for the Northwest 800 block, and coordinate bonding timing with the city and county approvals required for borrowing against future TIF revenues.