TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., Executive Director
DATE: October 27, 2026
Title
SECOND PUBLIC MEETING FOR UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY RH DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SW 600 BLOCK OF WEST ATLANTIC AVE
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
1. Approve Resolution 2026- 17 to continue consideration of the unsolicited proposal submitted by RH Development Group, LLC for the development of NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue and find it is in the public interest, and authorize CRA Staff to begin negotiations of a Comprehensive Agreement subject to the requirements of Florida Statutes 255.065(3)(d) and 163.380
AND
2. Approve publishing the required public interest finding report in the Florida Administrative Register for seven days pursuant to Florida Statute 255.065(3)(d)
AND
3. Approve issuing a notice of disposal pursuant to Florida Statute 163.380 for a minimum of thirty days, in substantially the same form.
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Background:
On February 10, 2026, RH Development Group, LLC (RHD) submitted an unsolicited proposal (Exhibit A) pursuant to Florida Statute 255.065 and the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment (CRA) Agency’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual and Standard Operating Guidelines for Public/Private Partnerships, Solicited and Unsolicited Proposals and Evaluation Process to develop 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 March 24, 2026, CRA Board Meeting, the CRA Board directed CRA Staff to proceed with the unsolicited proposal submitted by RHD per Florida Statute Section 255.065(3)(c) which allows public entities to proceed with an unsolicited proposal without a public bidding process. In accordance with Section 255.065(3)(c) the public entity must hold two (2) duly noticed public meetings.
First Public Meeting
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 SW 600 Block of West Atlantic Avenue.
All the comments and questions provided to RHD by the CRA Board, CRA Staff, and the public are to be answered by RHD prior to scheduling the second public meeting required under Florida Statute Section 255.065(3)(c).
RHD Responses
On July 9, 2026, RHD submitted their response to the questions and comments provided by CRA Staff at the first public meeting on May 13, 2026. On July 22, 2026, RHD submitted an additional response to the questions and comments provided by the CRA Board and the public at the first public meeting on May 13, 2026. Within these responses, RHD initially indicated that that grocery store could not be developed on any another assemblage of CRA-owned properties due to infrastructure constraints. Subsequently, the unsolicited proposal was ready to be scheduled for a public meeting.
On August 19, 2026, legal counsel for RHD submitted a letter to the CRA stating that they were further evaluating the potential to develop the grocery store within the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue and would like additional time for RHD to complete its due diligence and to have necessary conversations with the grocery store. Thus, scheduling of the public meeting to discuss the unsolicited proposal was put on hold to allow RHD the opportunity to complete its evaluation of the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue and its potential to serve as the development site for the grocery store.
Since that time, RHD has met with CRA Staff and City Staff to discuss the infrastructure constraints of the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue. Namely, City Staff indicated there is potential to redesign the proposed infrastructure improvements planned for adjacent public right-of ways while still achieving the overarching goal of the infrastructure improvements.
On September 15, 2026, RHD provided an update regarding the ability to develop the grocery store on another assemblage of CRA-owned properties. RHD has 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. After receiving RHD’s update, the second public meeting was scheduled for October 27, 2026, CRA Board Meeting.
On October 19, 2026, RHD submitted additional response detailing, in part, the relocation of the project site to the NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue (Exhibit B).
Next Steps:
Pursuant to 255.065(3)(c), the CRA Board shall determine at the second public meeting if the unsolicited proposal is in the public’s interest based on consideration of the factors below:
1. The benefits to the public.
2. The financial structure of and the economic efficiencies achieved by the proposal.
3. The qualifications and experience of the private entity that submitted the proposal and such entity’s ability to perform the project.
4. The project’s compatibility with regional infrastructure plans.
5. Public comments submitted at the meeting. The responsible public entity must provide a statement that explains why the proposal should proceed and addresses such comments.
Since the first public meeting CRA Staff has hired an economic development and consulting firm, to conduct a financial assessment (Exhibit C) of RHD’s unsolicited proposal and subsequent responses to public comment. The CRA financial assessment relates directly to assisting the CRA Board’s consideration of the second factor. CRA Staff has also reviewed regional infrastructure plans and prepared an assessment for the CRA Board’s consideration of the fourth factor (Exhibit D).
Under Florida Statute 255.065(3)(d), if the CRA Board considers the five factors and determines that RHD’s unsolicited proposal is in the public interest, then a report on the finding must be published in the Florida Administrative Register for at least 7 days (Exhibit E). The report must include:
1. The public interest determination.
2. The factors considered in making such public interest determination.
3. The responsible public entity’s findings based on each considered factor.
Should the CRA Board determine that RHD’s unsolicited proposal is in the public interest, the CRA and RHD may begin negotiations to enter into a sufficient comprehensive agreement, subject to the requirements of Florida Statutes Sections 255.065(3)(d) and 163.380. Florida Statute Section 163.380 requires that a Notice of Disposal must be issued for a minimum of 30 days prior to the disposition of any real property (Exhibit F). If the CRA Board does not find that RHD’s unsolicited proposal is in the public interest, then consideration of the project shall cease.
Attachment(s): Exhibit A - Location Map; Exhibit B - RHD Unsolicited Proposal; Exhibit C - RHD October 19 Response; Exhibit D - CRA Financial Assessment; Exhibit E - CRA Staff Report on Regional Infrastructure Plans; Exhibit F - Resolution 2026- 17; Exhibit G - Notice of Disposal; Exhibit H - Fla. Stat 255.065 and City of Delray Beach Guidelines
CRA Attorney Review:
The CRA Legal Counsel has reviewed Resolution 2026-17, and the Notice of Disposal for legal sufficiency and form and determined it to be acceptable.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Overall needs within the Community Redevelopment Area from Delray Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan:
Removal of Slum & Blight
Land Use
Development & Investment
Housing
Infrastructure & Mobility Improvements
Public Assets & Facilities
Policing Innovations