Delray Beach CRA approves $15,000 feasibility studies for two parcels after debate over priorities
Loading...
Summary
The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency approved hiring an architect for due-diligence studies on two privately owned parcels after debate over whether limited CRA resources should instead be focused on West Atlantic Avenue redevelopment.
The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency voted to authorize up to $15,000 to hire an architect to produce due-diligence assessments for two privately owned parcels being discussed for potential affordable or workforce housing development.
Renee Jadison, the CRA executive director, told the board the two properties under consideration include warehouse parcels in the Artist Alley area on Northeast Fourth Street and a parcel on North Federal Highway. She said recent appraisals for the parcels came back in the roughly $19 million–$22 million range and that one owner indicated willingness to negotiate or develop with a proposed split of about 25% workforce housing and 75% market-rate units. "The cost came back at just over $15,000 for both assessments to see what could be built on both properties," Jadison said during the presentation.
The proposal drew disagreement over priorities and affordability. Deputy Vice Chair Cassell said she had been opposed when the parcel first surfaced because of price and emphasized the CRA should prioritize housing that serves Delray Beach residents at lower area median income levels. "We keep seeing 80 to 120 AMI. That's not serving the needs," Cassell said, urging that any study focus on whether projects would deliver housing at roughly 60–80 AMI, the range she described as workforce housing.
Other board members argued for an independent study to provide objective facts before committing acquisition funds or changing priorities. One member said the CRA should concentrate on completing the West Atlantic Avenue projects given limited resources and cautioned that higher-density or lower-income projects at the North Federal location could provoke neighborhood opposition and zoning complications.
After an initial motion and vote to fund the studies, a board member later moved to reconsider that vote. On the reconsideration roll call, the motion to approve the due-diligence studies was seconded and taken to a reading: Deputy Vice Chair Cassell voted yes; Commissioner Carney voted no; Chair Burns voted yes; Vice Chair Markert voted yes. The motion passed on that recorded readout.
Board members said the studies would inform whether the CRA should pursue acquisition, partner funding, incentives for a workforce component, or decline to proceed. Jadison and other staff said any later purchase, zoning changes or public subsidy would require separate action by the board.
The board did not specify precise next steps for procurement other than hiring an architect for feasibility work and noted negotiations with property owners remain preliminary.
