[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6173012,"mediaKeyId","5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c","parentId",5383599,"title","Old School Square reports robust summer events, but ticketed pop‑2000 concert ran a deficit; DDA staff outlines programming and sponsorship plans","audioSeconds",1529,"startMs",6583000,"endMs",8112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c&start=6583&end=8112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c/thumbnail_6583000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173012/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Old-School-Square-reports-robust-summer-events-but-ticketed-pop2000-concert-ran-a-deficit-DDA-staff-outlines-programming-and-sponsorship-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173012-ce57996b8d90fb705c16f6237f051e0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057001&Signature=Asjp2Oh7aa8kz1LreOuFOHZCi9oqQm6JSauSHrQbaALEU2-YHWOemHdqFakPN13-dRD8LgwpZHaSRdsKBj6fCzm-emdf4foJ2HF2c1Hj1bsfj~eMs1UiCxWTx8rqpvkNSwi1u0UFb~meLDX4N--EoQBYwEkPJgFehETRbSm~qjJKGK~C~xL9EzNjudv6ag7A~H4oVvS27-5Ny6ySXNI6NY~r0tvFpt6sWgypx689FHXZr2Ibozhha8MA-WrHjidJPSzsoKvD-aWBKJ37JJuA85l5NglNGjQF~1xbVcApX4tIqnx7I7qCHaV-8Aao8RZ6P~8lgK7D0S6bk0LlHpcIJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Delray Beach, FL","date","2025-07-15T10:54:10Z","article","Old School Square staff and DDA marketing personnel gave a mid‑summer briefing July 14 on a slate of cultural programs, marketing initiatives and a new visitor-savings pass. Staff described strong attendance at free and low‑cost events, outreach successes and a high-profile museum opening — but also reported a shortfall on a newly promoted ticketed concert that will require follow-up analysis.

Victoria (last name not specified) and museum director Mariska (last name not specified) summarized programming and audience metrics: the Love Del Rey “Full Moon” yoga and sound-bath event drew some 600–700 registrants; Old School Square’s pop-culture museum opening and a slot on a Pop 2000 ticketed concert attracted new attendees and national touring acts; and the visitor center reported an overall 16% year‑over‑year increase in June traffic. Staff said their public‑relations and social-media campaigns generated high monthly impressions and strong email engagement rates (the DDA reported an email open rate near 47%).

On revenues and costs, staff provided provisional figures for the Pop 2000 concert: estimated ticket revenue of about $56,000 and estimated expenses of about $75,000, yielding an estimated deficit of roughly $19,000. Staff noted those numbers were preliminary and subject to final reconciliation; they also described nonfinancial benefits, such as reaching new audiences and bringing first‑time visitors to the Old School Square campus.

Old School Square and DDA teams described a calendar of upcoming programming: free summer sunset concerts, an August 2 fitness/cold‑plunge event, a September restaurant month and a major August 13 DDA town‑hall. The museum reported an exhibition that used regional and national artists and drew a strong, multi‑generational audience; staff said it also generated gallery sales and donations.

Staff outlined ongoing economic‑development efforts: a Savings Pass mobile program for restaurants and retailers that had more than 1,800 signups and 177 redemptions at the time of the meeting; ongoing work on a new DDA website targeted for a Sept. 1 launch; and continued outreach to groups, tour operators and event promoters. Visitor‑center volunteers reported handling increased inquiries and producing curated welcome bags for visiting groups and reunions.

Board members praised staff for the marketing results and for the Old School Square programming, but some asked staff to provide final reconciled numbers after the Pop 2000 event. DDA leaders also signaled an intent to continue seeking sponsorships and to refine the festival/concert model so ticketed events can break even or net revenue in future seasons. Staff said they will return to the board with reconciled financials and recommendations on pricing and production costs.

The board celebrated volunteer engagement and public‑private partnerships while encouraging staff to continue refining cost controls, sponsorship pipelines and audience-development strategies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 07-14-2025 03:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Old School Square reported strong summer attendance for free and community events and launched a multi‑pronged marketing push, but a recent Pop 2000 ticketed concert ran an estimated deficit that staff said will be reconciled and analyzed.","taxTitle","Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",5598,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173022,"Delray DDA, merchants and valets clash over downtown parking plan; board opposes centralized valet",4443,2013000,6456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c&start=2013&end=6456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c/thumbnail_2013000.jpg","/articles/6173022/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Delray-DDA-merchants-and-valets-clash-over-downtown-parking-plan-board-opposes-centralized-valet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173022-0cfd62072f6a910ae433acaf2c1d0e5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057001&Signature=DpGoG5XXDbTuUpSX3jckaxrS27KfW0wgy3EtJe-Jgdog~~NXpjjLP~biFOqEbu0EZw8K2FgE9e-FH0mx-msRPz69~b1uKONT8csfY9wrH6YzuccVjVlDpLrYcoWP92SP1w4rqSL~rN8fCw2I9jpkbWQ5eNwTUd7oJpQXCr8~V8RDp3MEYV8cTcEq8e5YrZES2~6V-i6FzjuBBoc7XUEHkp1F-U08HpAVhfpvrJ6zSITIp0Vq5PE-vcUT8yvkabnnITLe9kZJHUqN0J0McHWA62-CBib2LlNAyRKV5N~mmF-2YLyzXNbGwueUWUwuxS3fwTRGPkMzarpSCSe2EF6cZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority on July 14 took up the city’s draft downtown parking and curbside-management plan and heard more than a dozen public speakers — restaurant and retail owners, valet operators and residents — who warned proposed changes could hurt employees, reduce turnover of customer spaces and make access harder for elderly and disabled patrons.

The DDA’s discussion focused on three principal topics in the city proposal: changing meter hours and rates on Atlantic Avenue and side streets; metering and time limits in surface lots such as the Railroad and Gladiola lots; and a city proposal to centralize valet operations into hub lots. DDA members and multiple speakers told the board they want more public engagement and asked city staff to reconsider a centralized valet model and to study using downtown garages as employee parking.

DDA staff member Laura Simon summarized the city’s presentation: Atlantic Avenue currently is $4 per hour with a three-hour limit; the city proposed beginning enforcement one hour earlier, at 11 a.m., but not raising the rate. Side-street meter rates currently near $2 per hour were proposed by the city to increase to $3 per hour and begin at 11 a.m. Surface lots that are now free or timed would receive new metering and a 4-hour maximum under the city proposal. The DDA’s written response recommended limiting new charges in some lots, keeping railroad lot parking free until late afternoon with a lower evening rate, and pursuing a differentiated approach to peak and off-season pricing.

Board members and many speakers urged a measured approach rather than an across-the-board rollout. “For valet to work, it needs to be efficient, and it needs to be fast,” said Todd Herbst, who identified himself as an owner of City Oyster, Alisa Bettas and Rocco’s Tacos. He and other restaurant owners said centralizing pickup and drop-off in lots away from the Avenue will lengthen retrieval times, increase downtown circulation of vehicles and make valet less useful for patrons seeking quick access. John Powers, who identified himself as owner/operator of Valet Q’s, and other long-time valet operators said many private lots currently used by valets would not be available for a centralized program, that insurance and logistics would become more difficult, and that the city already enforces valet operations through code enforcement staff.

Retail and restaurant employees raised concerns about new fees for workers who park long shifts. “This would massively affect our employee parking,” said Samintra Mohammed, director of business management for Periwinkle, Morley & Coco and Co., who described staff earning near minimum wage and said an added daily parking cost would affect hiring and turnover. Several retail owners and managers described relying on the Railroad lot and nearby lots for staff and asked that a portion remain free or that a subsidized employee program be developed.

Many speakers urged use of Delray’s parking garages to absorb employee parking and to keep garage parking free as a management tool. DDA members said the board has previously proposed using underutilized upper garage levels for employees and suggested the commission consider that option again. The DDA presentation also recommended a “parking benefits” enterprise fund (earmarked parking revenue returned to downtown parking needs) rather than routing all meter revenue to the city general fund.

Valet operators pointed out that the current decentralized model depends on private agreements with landowners to secure off‑street inventory; replacing that with a centralized hub may remove the private lots that make valet practical. Dave Leonard, who identified himself as providing valet service at Elizabetha’s, listed possible operational issues (insurance, inclement weather, longer retrieval times, and app-based retrieval problems for older patrons) that could arise with satellite pickup locations.

Board members indicated strong support for two positions after the public remarks: (1) the DDA opposed the city’s centralized-valet proposal in its present form and asked for more study and stakeholder engagement; and (2) the DDA asked city commission and staff to revisit the possibility of making downtown parking garages free for employees/customers as part of a comprehensive management plan. Those requests were expressed as board consensus rather than as a formal vote.

The board also recommended more public outreach and workshops before city implementation. Several speakers asked for phased or pilot programs, clearer data on where new revenue would go, and better notification to downtown businesses before plans are adopted. The DDA scheduled a town-hall meeting on Aug. 13 to gather further input on parking, and members said they would forward the board’s written recommendations to the city.

Less-central items: the DDA presentation also described the in‑lieu parking program (established in the 1970s) and recommended clarifying whether in‑lieu funds are dedicated to parking projects or are flowing to the general fund. The DDA reiterated a prior request to create a parking benefits fund to capture meter revenue and reinvest it locally.

The board did not adopt a formal ordinance or motion about the city plan at the July 14 meeting; members instead asked staff to use the comments to shape a formal DDA position to be transmitted to the City Commission and to participate in further workshops.

Looking ahead, the city commission was scheduled to continue its review of the curbside/parking plan the day after the DDA meeting; the DDA asked commissioners and staff to consider the board’s concerns — especially about centralized valet and employee parking — before finalizing implementation.","The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority on July 14 took up the city’s draft downtown parking and curbside-management plan and heard merchants, valet operators and residents warn that proposed meters, a centralized valet program and new lot rules could reduce customer turnover and strain employees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173017,"Delray DDA sets maximum millage at 1.000 for FY2025-26; public hearings scheduled",4217,2823000,7040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c&start=2823&end=7040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383599-f2037a310f03215af97eb776b6a8856c/thumbnail_2823000.jpg","/articles/6173017/Delray-Beach/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Delray-DDA-sets-maximum-millage-at-1000-for-FY2025-26-public-hearings-scheduled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173017-d675fd2441c476ac1d698e41e05c6e36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771057001&Signature=UGz3ndk8Z0YB0adwFSxxni4KuHvUQ7IL5NLnNDZFsg3P0mD0tmjMMMZEIHAspgRttdZPsmB0UYOJAh0HnNxjGJs0uGa6xt1LUhuMEi1AY8T3Bh4cMfS68ToshG0wrcpXK0tgAxHFBPYm8Ou6gnCN~viEBoaUVeSrKdnSBniMOr1f31K3AvdoNuEQq8PtGQhqQtJZD9HBAvjPizoyEFSD3Z1yfH8o7IBg95ZzmkvFVeohxP1r~AvzeIteoMv3vLCAtjEUj28LwoNCOBmOtUz1IiY5jB-Xhcb8tmmFVH829RRc8m7bXly5GuN7By2YYLtKRRRIQvDoHPcQqI2eXSG8Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority adopted a resolution on July 14 setting the proposed maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2025–26 at 1.000 mills, the cap authorized for the DDA district. The board also set the statutorily required public‑hearing dates and directed staff to transmit required notices to the Palm Beach County property appraiser.

The DDA’s staff presentation summarized the certified preliminary taxable value for the district and showed an estimated increase in net new construction that raised the projected revenue available to the DDA. Under the Truth in Millage (TRIM) process, the DDA set the maximum rate on July 14 but may adopt a lower operating millage at its subsequent public hearings. DDA staff told the board the certification reflected an approximately 11 percent increase in taxable value inside the district compared with the prior year; the DDA’s revenue forecast uses a conservative 95% collection assumption.

Members of the public spoke in favor of fully funding the DDA’s work. Mavis Benson, representing downtown interests, and several visitor-center volunteers said the DDA’s marketing, programming and visitor services generate considerable downtown economic activity and that those results rely on stable funding. Multiple speakers emphasized the value of Old School Square programming, visitor-center services and the DDA’s business-support work.

After public comment the board made a motion to adopt the resolution setting the proposed maximum millage at 1.000 mills and to set two public hearings: an initial hearing on Sept. 8 and a final hearing on Sept. 12, 2025. The motion passed on a roll-call vote; all members present voted in favor.

The DDA will transmit the formal millage and tentative budget materials to the Palm Beach County property appraiser and publish TRIM notices as required by state law. The exact operating budget will be refined in the coming weeks, including public input collected at the DDA’s Aug. 13 town‑hall meeting and subsequent board workshops.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution adopting proposed maximum millage of 1.000 mills (sets hearing dates Sept. 8 and Sept. 12, 2025): approved by roll-call vote, unanimous among members present.
- Motion to table agenda items 5B–5E to the next meeting: approved unanimously.

Board members and staff said they will continue budget discussions in August and use public feedback gathered at the DDA town hall to refine the final FY2025–26 budget proposal before the September hearings.","The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority on July 14 set a proposed maximum tax rate of 1.000 mills for the 2025–26 fiscal year, following public comment and a board roll-call. The DDA scheduled public hearings in September and will transmit required notices under the state TRIM process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Old School Square reports robust summer events, but ticketed pop‑2000 concert ran a deficit; DDA staff outlines programming and sponsorship plans

Delray DDA, merchants and valets clash over downtown parking plan; board opposes centralized valet

Delray DDA sets maximum millage at 1.000 for FY2025-26; public hearings scheduled