TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Jeffrey L, Oris, CEcD
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: March 5, 2024
Title
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 2023 DELRAY BEACH CONGRESS AVENUE STRATEGIES STUDY PREPARED BY STREETSENSE AND CBRE
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Review and consider a motion to accept the 2023 Delray Beach Congress Avenue Strategies Study prepared by Streetsense and CBRE.
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Background:
Washington D.C.-based Streetsense and CBRE were engaged in late 2022 to provide market-informed development and retail strategy recommendations for the Congress Avenue corridor, with the goal of balancing commercial and housing growth and better integrating the corridor with its surrounding uses. Due to the highly speculative South Florida housing market, the development pressure the City is experiencing for full residential development along the corridor is increasing putting some commercial property at risk of conversion with impacts on the City’s tax base. The Study provides observations, analysis, and recommendations for the development and retail strategy on Congress Avenue, with the goal of balancing commercial and housing growth, understanding tax base implications, and better integrating the corridor with its surrounding uses. The Study provides methods strategies to balance adopted policy with market reality and the corridor’s existing strengths . These strategies will also provide guidance to the City with respect to future resource allocation, policy and programming decisions (including potential amendments to land use ordinances and land development regulations), and critical next steps for the City to take toward achieving a balanced future for the corridor.
The Study was prepared in three phases over a seven month period that included:
- Phase 1. Immersion and Discovery
Background document review, project kick-off, site visit, physical assessment, stakeholder engagement.
- Phase 2: Diagnostic
Business environment assessment, market scan, administrative capacity assessment, presentation of diagnostic summary.
- Phase 3: Recommendation and Final Report
Redevelopment and capital investment strategies, articulated tenanting and retail strategy, policy and regulatory recommendations, retail sales/promotion and marketing
The final draft of the Study was presented to the City Commission in a workshop meeting held on May 16, 2023 for feedback. It is brought to the City Commission for acceptance so the outlined strategies can be utilized as guidance for future projects and policies. Acceptance of the Study does not automatically amend or create any new regulation (any such changes would require further Commission approval), but it does inform staff as to a direction in preparation of any such future changes that would assist in promoting a balanced use of land in the Congress Avenue area.
City Attorney Review:
Not Applicable
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
There is no current funding required nor any financial impact due to this action.
Timing of Request:
Not Applicable