Delray Beach commission agrees to pursue transfer of West Atlantic Avenue from FDOT

Delray Beach city commissioners agreed unanimously April 22 to ask the mayor to open formal negotiations with the Florida Department of Transportation to explore transferring jurisdiction of a segment of West Atlantic Avenue from FDOT to the city.

City staff and commissioners said local control would remove a state permitting step, give the city clearer right‑of‑way authority along the corridor and better enable the city’s West Atlantic redevelopment plan.

Missy Barletta, director of Public Works, told the commission the discussion covers West Atlantic between Swinton Avenue and North 12th Avenue and does not include the portion under the I‑95 overpass. "Some of the benefits for the city, if this were to be approved, would be that we won't have to go through FDOT permitting processes to do additional development on that section of the roadway," Barletta said, explaining that the city already performs much of the maintenance there.

Barletta and other staff underscored that the action taken April 22 was only authorization to begin negotiations: there are no cost estimates, no contracts and no transfer documents yet. "Any additional financial needs that would come about will happen over the next 9 to 18 months as we negotiate this transfer of jurisdiction from FDOT to the city," Barletta said.

Commissioners emphasized the need to learn the costs before committing. "We need to do this to gather all the facts so we can make a final decision," Commissioner Markert said, adding the process will likely be lengthy and the sooner staff begins the better. Vice Mayor Long and others said local control would be useful to implement the city’s vision for Atlantic Avenue as a gateway and to speed safety and redevelopment projects.

City Manager Terrence Moore confirmed FDOT has authorized discussions at the highest levels in Tallahassee and staff will ask the mayor to send a formal letter requesting FDOT begin the transfer process. The commission recorded consensus for the mayor to sign the letter and for staff to proceed with negotiations.

Next steps: staff will open talks with FDOT, request cost and maintenance terms, and report back to the commission as negotiations produce concrete proposals that would require separate approval.