When people think of Delray Beach, they picture the vibrant energy of Atlantic Avenue — buzzing cafes, music in the air, boutique storefronts and families strolling under the Florida sun.

That energy doesn’t happen by accident.

It is the result of decades of intentional investment, careful stewardship, consistent support and involvement from an organization that works behind the scenes to make it all possible: the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Laura Simon is executive director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority. (courtesy, Laura Simon)

Now that progress is at risk. There have been recent concerns raised regarding the DDA’s millage rate, the property tax that funds its essential work.

Lowering the millage rate is not a cost-saving measure — it’s a service cut. And in a growing and thriving yet seasonal downtown, cutting services is the last thing we can afford.

Since its inception in 1971, the DDA has done exactly what it was created to do: invest directly in the downtown district, enhance its appeal, and support economic vitality.

This isn’t a faceless bureaucracy. It’s a lean, high-impact organization that answers to the property owners, residents and businesses it serves.

Downtown Delray Beach isn’t the same place it was five years ago. It’s bigger, busier and more dynamic.

Since the pandemic, we have welcomed an influx of new residents and businesses. Four new hotels have opened, major commercial and residential developments have risen, and corporate headquarters are now calling downtown home.

With this growth comes increased demand — for cleanliness, safety, programming and marketing— and the DDA has risen to meet it all, without raising its property tax millage rate above 1%.

In return, our residents and business owners get clean, safe, well-promoted streets; thriving local businesses and a community people are proud to call home.

The value is undeniable. In 2024 alone, Downtown Delray Beach attracted more than 3.5 million visitors. The traffic fuels local businesses, drives job creation, and boosts property values. In fact, property values in Palm Beach County were up 7% last year and 10% the year before. That’s not speculation; it’s a return on investment.

Signature events such as Savor the Avenue, Fashion Week, Art & Jazz on the Avenue, and Restaurant Month don’t just create buzz. They drive revenue during off-peak seasons and give our small businesses the foot traffic they need to survive and thrive.

This inclusive programming spreads across all corners of the downtown area, from Beachside to Pineapple Grove to The Set, ensuring that every resident feels connected to the city’s heartbeat.

Safety matters, too. The DDA funds uniformed Safety Ambassadors and the Beachside Visitor Center, giving both residents and tourists a sense of security and hospitality. These are not luxuries. They are necessities in a city that cares about the quality of life.

Some have suggested that reducing the millage rate is the fiscally conservative path. We believe that keeping the rate steady is actually the responsible choice.

It allows for predictable planning and ensures that we meet the needs of a growing district without dipping into emergency reserves or cutting vital services.

The DDA cares about the health and vitality of Downtown Delray. It is more than a destination — it’s an engine of opportunity. When it thrives, the entire city rises. That’s not theory. It’s proven, year after year.

At our most recent Town Hall, held Aug. 13 at the Vintage Gym, our constituents showed up to advocate for increased services and more unique events, along with free parking, enhanced public safety and a more beautiful downtown streetscape.

These are conversations we welcome. I encourage you to attend the upcoming budget hearings scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 and Sept. 12 at City Hall. I look forward to seeing you downtown.

Laura Simon, executive director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, recently celebrated 15 years with the organization. Learn more at downtowndelraybeach.com.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/08/27/the-dda-is-vital-to-delrays-thriving-downtown-opinion/