TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Janai Bowens, Assistant NCS Director/Education Liaison, Neighborhood and Community Services
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: November 2, 2026
Title
FUTURE USE AND TENANT SELECTION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTER
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to discuss future processes for tenant selection for the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC).
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Background:
The Neighborhood Resource Center currently provides space for four community-serving organizations:
• Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc. (CROS Ministries) - Food pantry and social service assistance
• Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. - Legal services and assistance
• Urban League of Palm Beach County, Inc.- Community and social service programming
• Delray Beach Community Land Trust - Housing and community development services
The current agreements with these organizations were executed in January 2022 for a five-year period structured as an initial two-year term followed by three optional one-year renewals. Under the existing agreement structure, the current tenant agreements will expire in January 2027.
With the expiration of the agreements approaching, staff is requesting policy direction from the City Commission regarding the future occupancy and programming of the Neighborhood Resource Center. A workshop would provide an opportunity for the Commission to evaluate whether the existing tenant structure continues to align with the City's community service priorities and determine the preferred process for selecting organizations to occupy the facility beginning in 2027.
The City Commission will have the opportunity to consider options including the following:
1. Renew or negotiate new agreements with the existing tenants. Under this option, the City could determine that the current organizations continue to meet the City's objectives for the Neighborhood Resource Center and direct staff to pursue appropriate agreements for continued occupancy, subject to applicable City requirements and approvals.
2. Establish a formal competitive tenant selection process. The City Commission could direct staff to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Applications, or similar formal solicitation that would allow qualified nonprofit and community-based organizations to propose services and programming for the NRC.
A formal application or solicitation process would provide the City with an opportunity to reassess the NRC's service model and determine whether additional or different services are needed based on current community priorities. It could also create greater transparency regarding tenant selection and establish measurable expectations for organizations receiving the benefit of City-owned space.
The City Commission may consider and discuss the following actions:
• Renew agreements with the existing NRC tenants;
• Initiate a competitive RFP for the facility; or
• Develop an alternative tenant and service-delivery model as directed by the
City Commission.
• Evaluate and discuss the current lease structure of $1 per year for each tenant.
Following the workshop, the Neighborhood and Community Services Department will coordinate with the appropriate City departments to implement the Commission's direction and return any required agreements, solicitations, or related actions for formal approval.
City Attorney Review:
Not Applicable
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Not Applicable
Timing of Request:
Current contracts expire in January 2027.