You Get More With Sugar…

The Delray Community Land Trust celebrating 10 years of excellence is a joint effort with the city and the CRA.

The Delray Community Land Trust celebrating 10 years of excellence is a joint effort with the city and the CRA.

Imagine someone walking up to you on the street and smacking you over the head with a baseball bat.
Imagine that the person who hits you over the head is someone you know, have worked with and trusted.
In your mind, you’ve done right by that person.

Performed well in the past, felt you were still doing well and looked forward to more success in the future.
You’d probably be shocked and a trifle upset wouldn’t you? Sure, nobody is perfect, but a public beat down?

Well that’s what happened to the Delray Beach CRA last week when they went before for the city commission and received some “tough love”.
Tough love. That’s a heckuva phrase.
Usually it’s reserved for wayward children who are on the wrong track. You do something dramatic, maybe even shocking, to get their attention so they can button up and fly right.
But typically you don’t spank partners when they are kicking butt.
The Delray CRA kicks butt.
Take a look around Delray Beach. Take an inventory of what you like about this place.
Delray Center for the Arts, the library, Spady Museum, The Green Market.

Do you like the look and feel of Atlantic Avenue? How about Northwest/Southwest Fifth Avenue? Do you like Atlantic Grove? Or do you miss the drive through liquor store?

The list goes on and on and on.

But it’s not just the big important projects that make our CRA special. It’s the small but equally important stuff: the charming Community Land Trust houses, affordable projects like Carolyn Holder Court and a nearby senior housing project,  facade grants, business assistance grants and the Eagle Nest program which has helped scores of kids discover a career path in construction. I know many of those kids, we are sending a few to college via Dare 2 Be Great and they have told us what that program has meant to their lives and their neighborhoods.

For 30 years, the CRA has been a valued partner, a policy innovator and a proven implementer. Their work has impacted the entire city not just their district.

The agency built Delray, along with residents, city staff and other agencies.
They deserve applause not a whack upside the head.
Tone matters in politics.
If you want to build a strong and caring community you have to be cognizant of words, tone, context. Think it’s sappy, guess again, it’s essential.
Elected officials need to wield both carrots and sticks. But the good ones know when to use them.
It’s important that leaders possess an ability to show respect and gratitude. They go hand in hand.
If you start a conversation with “thank you for all you do now let’s do even better” most people are all ears: eager to change and embrace new ways.
But if you if ignore someone’s worth and kick them in the teeth, the reaction is not enthusiasm, its deflation.
This issue is close to me. And admittedly I am biased. My wife ran the agency for 13 years. I know most of the agency’s staff. They are dedicated, hard working, honest, smart and incredibly effective public servants.

They are good. Very good. But they are not perfect. Neither is the City Commission or any group or agency for that matter. But the CRA should be a source of city pride; the agency deserves respect. They have done and are doing great things and they can be even better. They have also helped the city with expenses, including police and engineering services, money for the tennis tournament and for key non-profits like the library and the Delray Center for the Arts. They can be effective with less money and that’s the conversation that needs to take place.

But there seems to be a true disagreement over the agencies mission, spending and priorities. That deserves discussion and debate, not from dueling daises, but in conversation between the two agencies as Commissioner Katz wisely suggested.
Sometimes we act as if the money spent by the agency is lost. It’s not. It’s invested here not in some foreign country. And if you can’t see the return on that investment I can’t help you.
Wiping out this agency, taking it over and or beating it into submission would be folly. A mistake that won’t be forgotten and one that will have implications far beyond the terms of the current commission.

The direction given the CRA was to prioritize spending west of Swinton. Hmmmm… that’s been the priority of the CRA for at least the past 15 years. During that time, more than $45 million has been invested in our neediest neighborhoods, neighborhoods that the city neglected for generations. From housing and sidewalks, to water pressure upgrades and paving streets the CRA has used money generated by the success of the eastern portion of the district to improve the west. These improvements were done in partnership with residents and were based on citizen driven plans. And it’s first now beginning to yield results, with projects like the Fairfield Inn and the coming soon Equity mixed use development.

The neighbors called the promise to invest in the west “the covenant”. The covenant called for patience, but the promise was the monies generated in the east would help improve the west. Now that doesn’t mean that every dollar goes west. You still have to take care of infrastructure in the east and projects such as Delray Center for the Arts which by the way is for everyone to enjoy. I’m sorry that Artist’s Alley is in jeopardy because a private investor bought the warehouses, but I wonder if we’d be talking about art in the Grove if not for CRA investments in the Art Warehouse and Arts Garage. U.S. 1 is about to blossom because of CRA implementation of our master plan.

Now we’re told that the plan is old and things have changed. Yes they have. But concepts like  walkability, sustainability, a need for independent retail, mixed use development, culture, mobility and affordability are still viable, desirable and needed. We are told that downtown is done. Nope. Sorry, it’s never done. That was a  lesson learned many years ago that’s been forgotten, at least by some.

We are told to move everything to Congress Avenue and we are hard at work on a solid plan to do so. But none of it works, if we  neglect the heart. City building is not a zero sum game.

You can pay attention to the east and the west and you should.
I’m a fan of city government– especially of this city’s government– despite its flaws. There are a ton of very good people who work at City Hall.
But to think they can do what the best CRA in the state has been doing exceedingly well for 30 years is just plain wrong.
A city needs a CRA and a CRA needs a city. You work together. Like you have for 30 years, a time frame that built a great city.
And if you think politicians should sit as the CRA good luck with that one. Instead of having volunteers with specific skill sets concentrating on redevelopment you’ll get people worried about “optics” (man, I abhor that word) and their next election.
Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Make it better.
And fix your own house first.
Unsolicited advice I know. But hey it’s my blog.
The CRA should be a source of civic pride not derision.
I heard so many falsehoods uttered last week that I lost count.
It seems that there’s a concerted effort to deny this city’s success and civic achievements. I heard the word disconnect used countless times; yep there’s a disconnect alright.
You can’t “fix” or improve by tearing things down. This city has come a long way and we love it. Lots of people have benefitted, all five commissioners included. Work with your partners.
That’s how Delray was built.

 

Context, Community & Optimism

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Last week, we talked about symptoms–controversies that emerge because of fear.
Fear of overdevelopment, fear of traffic, fear of parking problems, fear of change and fear of bad design.
All of these fears are legitimate and there is near universal agreement that all of the problems outlined above should be avoided at all costs. But unfortunately life and community building are never as black-and-white as we might like them to be.
Issues are nuanced and filled with variables that sometimes we can’t see.

Most worthwhile endeavors in life come with trade-offs. If you want something you usually have to give something up to get it: when it comes to cities that decision is typically made by mayors and city commissioners.
When development occurs, there is an impact. It might be traffic, it might be construction noise and it may be the closing of an alley.

It’s up to policy makers to determine whether the upside is worth the impact.
But we rarely take about benefits anymore.

And that’s a shame because focusing almost solely on impacts skews the debate and denies the public a chance to see and understand issues.

For example, there was a short story last week about the CRA in which the focus seemed to be on the budgetary impact the CRA has on the city’s coffers due to the way these agencies are set up using tax increment financing.
But in order to fully understand the issue readers need context and to see the whole picture before they can render an informed opinion.
For example, the CRA already gives substantial financial support to the city and has for years –paying for items that range from police officers and infrastructure  to supporting key non profit partners that would need a larger subsidy from the city if not for the CRA. CRA money does not go down some dark hole, it’s reinvested in the community, largely in neighborhoods that need help.

I think the CRA has been invaluable to Delray Beach and that its success and track record of getting things done has benefitted our city far beyond its district.
Property values citywide are up and rising faster than neighboring cities in large part–in my opinion–because of the work of the CRA.
Congress Avenue and other parts of our city have become viable business and investment opportunities thanks to the work of the CRA, Delray Marketing Cooperative, DDA, police, fire , the city and others.

How do I know this? Because I’m talking to people making investments on Congress and many have said they wouldn’t have looked at the corridor 15 years ago but now feel it represents an extension of the Delray brand, which has value. Businesses want to be here. People want to live here.
In addition, quality of life– often hard to measure– has been improved as well as a result of a more vibrant city.

These are just some nuances that are important to consider when judging the value of an agency,  project, development or initiative. I happen to think the most value can found in the intangibles; not just the tax revenue, building permit fees or raw numbers we often see bandied about. Those are important too, but the most important aspects of any initiative are often the subtle benefits that make all the difference.
Examples: energy, civic pride, attracting difference makers to your community and creating opportunities.
As a result, I’m a firm believer that leaders need to be optimists. They need to be cognizant and worried about impacts but also aware and excited by benefits.
Ideally, they have a growth mindset, and see themselves as problem solvers.

They work hard to mitigate impacts, but never lose sight of benefits.
We need more optimism in our politics and in our communities.
Problem solving enables us to progress. Change can and should be managed, but cannot and should not be stopped.

Water Cooler Wednesday: Redevelopment & Economic Development

Equity Enterprises won the RFP to redevelop a portion of CRA owned land on West Atlantic Ave.

Equity Enterprises won the RFP to redevelop a portion of CRA owned land on West Atlantic Ave.

There’s a difference between economic development and redevelopment.

A good friend pointed that out to me recently, saying that she wondered whether Delray was good at one (redevelopment) and still figuring out the other (economic development).

It was an interesting comment; certainly something to think about.

Redevelopment is often defined as:  “an often publicly financed rebuilding of an urban residential or commercial section in decline.”

Delray Beach has become widely known for its skill in redevelopment.  Starting with the “Decade of Excellence” in the 90s and continuing through the 2002 Downtown Master Plan and beyond, Delray has successfully redeveloped its once declining urban core. More work needs to be done and is being done, as evidenced recently with the awarding of an RFP to redevelop key blocks on West Atlantic Avenue –Delray’s gateway.

But while redevelopment often leads to economic development, it is not the same thing.

Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policy makers and communities to promote and improve the standard of living and economic health of a specific area. So while the redevelopment of West Atlantic is ongoing and positive, the job won’t be complete until we create jobs and business opportunities for existing residents and others who come to Delray.

Economic development  also refers to quantitative and qualitative changes in the economy. Such actions can involve multiple areas including development of human capital, critical infrastructure, regional competitiveness, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, health, safety, literacy, and other initiatives. I would add the arts and culture to the mix since I believe a strong arts scene spurs investment and creativity. (See Wynwood, Miami).

But while Delray has had a successful and ongoing redevelopment strategy, its economic development plan is a work in progress and needs resources. We certainly have a capable economic development director in Vin Nolan, but he can probably use some help.  Just my guess.

As a result of Delray’s redevelopment success, we are positioned to reap tremendous rewards in terms of economic development. If we leverage our assets, apply some resources strategically and streamline our approval processes the sky is the limit. We also need to work on our political culture, but that’s a subject for another day.

Delray’s economic development opportunities exist in several areas including:

  • Human capital—it has been said that the best economic development strategy is to invest in people and to provide top flight education. Clearly, Delray has challenges and opportunities in this regard. The city’s “Grade Level Reading” program is an ambitious effort to understand those challenges and to assist schools in raising reading skills across the board. Delray has some outstanding non-profits including the Achievement Center and Milagro Center that are dedicated to working with our most at-risk kids.

    There are some promising green shoots sprouting in Delray including the Plumosa School of the Arts, Village Academy (which exists because of a neighborhood visioning effort), Banyan Creek Elementary, S.D. Spady’s Montessori Magnet and Morikami Park’s early years International Baccalaureate program to name but a few. Atlantic High’s IB program has also been extraordinary.

    There are also some good private, charter and parochial options in town.

    A foundation I co-founded called Dare 2 Be Great is working to identify, mentor and fund local high school students who we feel have the potential to be game changers in our community.

    But clearly, more must be done. Especially, at the middle school level and among students who may not be on a college track. Career academies and vocational training are solid solutions. A plan to add a middle school of the arts is also an excellent idea. Adding entrepreneurial training and a program such as “Girls Who Code” would also be smart economic development plays.

  • Entrepreneurship—Delray has spent 30 years working to create an environment that would attract the creative class. But a lack of office space, not necessarily Class A (although that is needed too) but creative space is preventing companies from locating downtown where they can enjoy walkability, vibrancy and urban amenities. Clearly, entrepreneurship is both the present and the future and Delray is well-positioned for this trend, but if key parcels are lost to rental units and other uses there will be no space for people who want to work downtown and no chance for those fortuitous collisions that lead to opportunities.
  • Sports—With an international tennis tournament, several national junior tennis events, a stadium, a Donald Ross golf course, great weather, a replica of Fenway Park’s Green Monster, improved ball fields and the presence of the Elev8 Sports Institute, Delray has a chance to be a sports mecca. But the tennis stadium needs fixing, the ATP event needs bigger names and the city needs a strategy or an entrepreneur who will begin to package the cities amenities for sports related tourism such as fantasy camps and or youth sports tournaments.
  • Lifelong Learning—In today’s complex world, there is a need for lifelong learning opportunities. Delray’s Center for the Arts at Old School Square’s classrooms are ideal for weekend MBA programs, night classes etc. Programs like TEDX and StartUp Delray’s Maker Series and frequent entrepreneurial meet-ups are great economic development tools.
  • Wellness—Pineapple Grove was originally envisioned as a funky arts district adjacent to Atlantic Avenue. With the Arts Garage, Arts Warehouse and Artist’s Alley, the importance of  the arts is apparent, but quietly the Grove has also become a hotbed for health and wellness services ranging from pilates and yoga to gyms and health food stores. Wellfest, an event about to go into its second year, tapped into the trend last year. With more than a dozen sponsors, over 50 exhibitors and speakers, the event has tapped into a rich vein. (In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a co-founder and own a small piece of the event). Delray seems well positioned to be a destination for wellness events, businesses and activities.
  • Tourism—An old staple for Florida cities, but a good one. And with several new and boutique hotel properties a good economic development strategy as well. Destination Delray has legs and the Delray Marketing Cooperative understands the power of destination marketing.
  • Food—Delray’s initial redevelopment success gave birth to a thriving restaurant and beverage scene. But food can also be a great economic development driver with the creation of commercial kitchens, the nurturing of year-round markets, food events, urban farms, craft breweries and the growth of food related companies.
  • Arts—The aforementioned arts scene drives business and investment and therefore is a viable economic development component. But the Holy Grail will be to create a city where we attract, develop and export artists, which is why classes at the Delray Center for the Arts and the Arts Garage are so critical. Not to mention the potential of the Arts Warehouse, Artist’s Alley, Plumosa School of the Arts and the coveted middle school of the arts. This seems to be under way and appears to be a worthy investment. Still be tapped, cultural tourism, artist live/work zones and making the best use of existing spaces. For example, the Old School Square Downtown Park is ripe for improvement, programming and creative ideas.

    Next week: We take a look at Boca.

    Please let us know your thoughts.

 

 

 

Five Efforts to Watch in Boca-Delray

Dennis Max's newest creation: One of five things to watch

Dennis Max’s newest creation: One of five things to watch

One thing we can comfortably say about Boca Raton and Delray Beach: it’s never boring.

Here are five efforts to keep a close eye on. All are interesting and all have the potential to be very influential developments for Boca-Delray

Med U Tech

Med U Tech stands for—medicine, universities and technology– the three pillars that built modern day Boca Raton. Med U Tech is a platform to build and strengthen Boca’s brand by leveraging existing assets and encouraging collaboration between hospitals, universities and tech companies. Each year, the Boca Resort & Club hosts a major Med U Tech conference that attracts movers and shakers from companies large and small. The most recent collaborations are highlighted in a special section of the South Florida Business Journal that is distributed in several other markets—the better to spread Boca’s brand as an innovative and entrepreneurial community. Visit www.medutech.org  to get involved.

StartUp Delray

StartUp Delray—a brand new effort launched by Delray’s Irene Revelas,  StartUp Delray is an effort to spotlight entrepreneurs in Delray by hosting events, meet ups, demo’s and other activities to nurture the fledgling entrepreneurial community that is quickly taking shape in Delray Beach. From “maker” events to fun “pitch” sessions StartUp Delray is a virtual organization that exists to partner and collaborate with the vibrant entrepreneurial scene taking root in South Florida. Follow @startupDelray on twitter.

Max’s Fresh

Max’s Fresh—Veteran Boca and Delray restaurateur Dennis Max’s newest concept is still in the planning stages, but if we know Dennis it will be special and transformative. Rumor has it that Dennis and the Max Group are planning to scale this concept into a possible national chain or franchise. Fresh food fast and healthy—coming soon and hatched right here in Boca.  Stay tuned.

Dare to Be Great

Dare to Be Great—This Delray Beach non-profit foundation www.dare2begreat.org identifies, mentors and supports via scholarships students that dare to make a difference and have the potential to dramatically improve Delray Beach. To date, about 15 scholars are attending college with the support of the foundation. Their promise: to come home and do great things in Delray Beach.

Delray CRA properties

For years, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency has patiently acquired key parcels in downtown Delray Beach that are now being marketed to developers. The goal: redevelop the land, stimulate the economy, create jobs and take Delray Beach to the next level.

Among the key parcels that are soon to be awarded: the old library piece on U.S. 1 just south of Atlantic Avenue and several pieces of land that have been assembled on West Atlantic Avenue, just east of I-95.

Rumored to be in the mix: retail, office, entertainment and hotel uses.

For more information visit www.delraycra.org