TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Missie Barletto, Public Works Director
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: August 19, 2025
Title
FOLLOW-UP CLARITY, DIRECTION, AND TRAJECTORY REGARDING DOWNTOWN PARKING PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Body
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. This 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 among others, presents 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
The City has made great strides in improvements to technology, wayfinding and sharing information on periphery and shared parking. Items that already are in design include the Swinton / Atlantic Intersection improvement which includes an East Atlantic Avenue bypass, improvements to traffic management and enforcement, and improvements to pedestrian mobility especially during peak activity hours. On July 8, Commission received a presentation containing options for additional progress on implementation of the Master Plan including discussion of a Parking Benefit District including discussion of the Parking Management Advisory Board, implementation of right priced parking elements, and establishment of a central valet operation managed by the City. Additional information will be provided concerning a proposed monthly Employee Parking Pass, as well as performance-priced parking options for the garages and surface lots including information on projected revenue.
City Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
This item is funded through parking revenues.
Timing of Request:
This matter is not time sensitive.