TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Missie Barletto, Public Works Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: October 13, 2026
Title
PRESENTATION OF THE TWELVE-MONTH REVIEW OF CHANGES TO THE DOWNTOWN PARKING PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE PILOT EMPLOYEE PARKING PROGRAM AND ANALYSIS OF THE FREE PARKING WEDNESDAYS PROGRAM
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Presentation of the 12-Month Review of changes to the Downtown Parking Program, including the Pilot Employee Parking Program and analysis of the Free Parking Wednesdays Program.
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Background:
With increasing growth and demand in the City's downtown business district, in 2019 the City of Delray Beach initiated creation of a management plan to guide management of both parking and spaces along busy curbsides and bustling sidewalks. The Parking and Curbside Master Plan, developed by industry experts with robust public participation from local stakeholders including the Community Redevelopment Agency, Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Agency and others, outlined recommendations for a performance based, actively managed parking system.
Strategies for implementation of the Master Plan are divided into three categories:
1) Systems -- including formation of a parking benefits district, right pricing parking, technology improvements, and mobility
2) Elements -- include periphery and shared parking, connected garages and Atlantic Avenue bypass, infrastructure, and wayfinding
3) Operations -- coordinated valet operations, employee parking programs, commercial loading zones, traffic management and enforcement, and funding strategy
On July 8, 2025, the City Commission (City) received a presentation containing options for additional progress on implementation of the Parking and Curbside Master Plan including discussion of a proposed monthly Employee Parking Permit. In addition to changes in parking rates moving from free surface parking downtown to paid and changing the rate structure for parking garages, the City agreed to implement a Pilot Employee Parking Permit program for six months with a review of the pilot program to be provided in April at which time the pilot program was made permanent. The parking permit is available to downtown employees of all types with a monthly cost of $10. All City-operated paid parking areas west of the Intracoastal Waterway are available for the employees with the exception of Atlantic Avenue, and time limits are lifted to avoid employees having to move vehicles during work hours. The City Commission requested an update on the rate changes following one year of operation at the new rates.
On April 21, 2026, the six-month review of the Pilot Employee Parking Program was presented to the City Commission, at which time the pilot program was made permanent.
On May 19, 2026, the City approved free parking on Wednesdays June through August at City owned surface parking lots and garages in the downtown area.
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