TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Christine Tibbs, Assistant Director
THROUGH: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., Executive Director
DATE: September 24, 2026
Title
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SW 600, 700, & 800 BLOCKS OF WEST ATLANTIC AVENUE
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Board discussion and direction regarding a Request for Proposals for the Development of the SW 600, 700, & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue.
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Background:
Property Overview:
The CRA currently owns fifteen (15) vacant lot parcels within the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue with one parcel being an alley (see Exhibit A). The approximate total acreage of the SW 600 Block is 3.57 acres.
The CRA currently owns seven (7) vacant lot parcels within the SW 700 Block of West Atlantic Avenue (see Exhibit A). The approximate total acreage of the SW 700 Block is approximately 1.87 acres.
The CRA currently owns ten (10) vacant lot parcels within the SW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue (see Exhibit A). The total approximate acreage of the SW 800 Block is approximately 1.82 acres.
Previous CRA Board Meetings:
At the April 30, 2025, CRA Board meeting, the CRA Board generally discussed the development of the SW 600 - 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue. The CRA Board indicated that a full-service, 20,000 square foot grocery store is still needed and desired by the community, as identified in the 2012 West Atlantic Needs Assessment and The Set Transformation Plan. The CRA Board decided to move forward with the development of the SW 600 - 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue via two (2) separate Request for Proposal (RFP) processes:
1) An RFP for the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue for the development of a full-service, 20,000 square foot grocery store with parking; and
2) An RFP including the SW 700 - 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue
After which, CRA Staff began drafting the two (2) RFPs for the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue and separately, for the SW 700 & 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue. Concurrently, the CRA engaged with a consultant to conduct a market sounding study before issuing any RFP to assess industry interest in opening a grocery store along West Atlantic Avenue. The market sounding study was completed in March 2026.
On February 10, 2026, RH Development Group, LLC (RHD) submitted an unsolicited proposal pursuant to Florida Statute 255.065 to develop the CRA-owned parcels within the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue. The unsolicited proposal submitted by RHD detailed plans to develop a nationwide full-service grocery store, commercial space, on-site parking lot, and green space.
At the April 28, 2026, CRA Board meeting, CRA Staff presented the draft RFP for the development of the SW 700 & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue and the CRA Board discussed and provided direction on architectural styles, building height, workforce/affordable housing requirement, CRA incentives, qualification requirements, and evaluation criteria.
The CRA Special Board meeting held on May 13, 2026, served as the first public meeting under Florida Statute Section 255.065(3)(c). RHD presented their proposal to the CRA Board and members of the public. During the public meeting, the CRA Board and members of the public, along with CRA Staff, provided their comments and questions to RHD. As part of the comments and questions, RHD was asked if the grocery store could be developed on the CRA-owned properties located within the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue, instead of on the CRA-owned properties located within the NW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue
At the May 26, 2026, CRA Board Meeting, the CRA Board briefly agreed to pause the RFP efforts until after the review of the unsolicited proposal received by RHD for the development of a grocery store within the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue was complete pursuant to Florida Statute Section 255.065(3)(c).
On September 15, 2026, RHD indicated that the grocery store could be moved from the SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue, as initially proposed, to the CRA-owned properties located within the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue. At this time, RHD is finalizing the conceptual development plans for the grocery store and parking lot within the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue for formal submittal. Notedly, notwithstanding the relocation of the proposed development, the basic components of the proposal - the grocery store and the parking lot - remain the same with only minor deviations, if any, to accommodate the dimensions of the CRA-owned properties within the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue.
Overview of Draft Request for Proposals:
Since 2025, the RFPs and the future development of CRA-owned properties along West Atlantic Avenue have been a topic of discussion at numerous public meetings. Additionally, CRA Staff has also had additional opportunities to gather feedback from the general public, answer any questions, and address any concerns related to the future RFPs for the development of CRA-owned properties along West Atlantic Avenue and the RFP process.
The RFP will seek proposals from qualified and experienced developers, to lease or purchase, and redevelop CRA-owned properties within the SW 600, 700 & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue. These CRA-owned properties provide an irreplicable assemblage of vacant land and a placemaking opportunity to have an impact on the surrounding community and help shape the landscape of downtown Delray Beach. The vision for West Atlantic Avenue was built together with residents, community stakeholders, and local business owners. The RFP will seek a mixed-use development that takes into account the needs and prioritized uses of the community as identified in the CRA’s Community Redevelopment Plan (2026 Amendment is scheduled for Second Reading by the City Commission on October 6, 2026) and The Set Transformation Plan:
- Pharmacy Services
- Financial Services (Bank, Credit Union)
- Health/Wellness Facilities
- Family/Social Entertainment
Moreover, the RFP for the SW 600, 700, & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue has incorporated all the feedback and input received from the CRA Board and members of the general public including feedback, input, and comments related to architectural styles, building height, and percentage and income mix of affordable/workforce housing.
With the CRA Board’s approval for issuance, CRA Staff plans to issue the RFP for the development of the SW 600, 700, & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue following the schedule below:
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RFP Issuance Date |
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 |
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Voluntary Pre-Proposal Meeting |
Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10AM EST |
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Question Submittal Deadline |
Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5PM EST |
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Proposal Submission Due Date |
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 4PM EST |
CRA Incentives:
To help facilitate the development of West Atlantic Avenue, the CRA has CRA Incentive Programs, including the Development Infrastructure Assistance Program and the Land Value Investment Program. The CRA Incentive Programs have been updated to reflect CRA Board feedback and the needs of the community. CRA Staff has modified the Development Infrastructure Assistance Program to better support the development of housing, including increasing the potential maximum incentive from $250,000 to $1 million and the reimbursement percentage from 50 percent to 75 percent of eligible costs tied to projected tax increment. CRA Staff has modified the Land Value Investment Program to include removing the requirement for office space to allow for mixed use development.
BOARD ACTION:
At this time, the CRA Staff is requesting:
1) The CRA Board discuss the draft RFP for the development of the SW 600, 700, & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue and provide any additional comments. After which, CRA Staff will incorporate any additional comments and finalize the RFP for issuance; and
2) Approve the issuance of Request for Proposals - CRA NO. 2026-05 SW 600, 700, & 800 Blocks of West Atlantic Avenue Development Project, in substantially the attached form; and
3) Approve the CRA Incentive Program with the revisions.
Attachment(s): Exhibit A - Location Map; Exhibit B - Draft RFP SW 600-800 Blocks of W. Atlantic Avenue; Exhibit C - CRA Incentives and Opportunities
CRA Attorney Review:
The CRA Legal Counsel will review the RFP for legal sufficiency and form.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Overall need within the Community Redevelopment Area from Delray Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan:
Removal of Slum and Blight
Land Use
Economic Development
Affordable Housing
Downtown Housing
Infrastructure
Recreation and Cultural Facilities