Visitors to Delray Beach this summer can take advantage of free parking on Wednesdays from June through the end of August.
The subject of waiving parking fees for the summer came up during the City’s May 8 goal setting meeting as a way to help downtown businesses bring in customers during the slow summer months. A formal proposal was brought before the City Commission on Tuesday.
The proposal would have allowed free parking at all city-owned garage and surface lots west of the Intracoastal bridge everyday until 4 p.m., at which point the usual rate would apply. There would also be one day of week—decided upon by the commission—that would be free all day.
Parking would essentially temporarily return to the status quo it was before being changed last October based on recommendations from the Curbside and Parking Management Plan, an initiative started in 2019 to manage parking and traffic near and along Atlantic Avenue. The proposal was supported by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, and downtown businesses.
Instead, the City will waive fees only on Wednesdays. Wednesday was chosen since many downtown businesses are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, or both. Commissioners Tom Markert and Angela Burns and Mayor Tom Carney cited budget concerns in their opposition to the full request. The parking recommendations, as proposed, would have resulted in an estimated loss of $700,000 in revenue.
“I’m not prepared to give $700,000 away,” said Carney. “We have to be monetizing [parking] just like everybody else.”
“We just got done with a budget meeting, we know we have budget problems right now,” said Markert, referring to the workshop meeting that preceded the regular city commission meeting.
The workshop meeting was for the 2026-27 budget. Commissioner Juli Casale pointed out that since the parking proposal would have only run through August—which is part of this fiscal year—it would have no impact on next year’s budget. Casale and Commissioner Judy Mollica supported more than just one day of free parking.
The new parking policy will take effect on June 3 and run through Aug. 26. Free parking will be offered all day on Wednesdays at the Old School Square, Federspiel, and IPIC garages, and the Roy M. Simon, Village, Gladiola, Veterans Park, and Banker’s Row surface lots.
DDA dispute flares up again
The DDA and its management of Old School Square was not on Tuesday’s agenda. It came up anyway.
During commission comments, Casale asked for consensus in waiving the 10% revenue share that the DDA is contractually obligated to pay the City as part of the agreement for the organization to manage Old School Square.
Per the contract, these funds are “to be used for programming costs for the OSS Campus,” meaning they go right back to operational expenses for the DDA’s management of the campus. The clause is dependent upon a net positive income, of which DDA Executive Director Laura Simon says there is not.
“Under the current agreement, a revenue share would only apply if there is net positive income remaining after all operational and programming expenses,” says Simon. “The revenue currently generated through ticket sales, concessions, donations, sponsorships, and facility rentals is reinvested directly into the programming and operations of Old School Square.”
With no net positive revenue, the clause is essentially moot. But as Casale framed it, the stakes couldn’t be higher for its removal from the contract.
“We’re giving [the DDA] less money than the CRA was giving the prior organization,” Casale said, referring to Old School Square Center for the Arts, who founded the nonprofit organization that founded the complex. Casale was part of a commission majority that evicted the group in 2021.
“I’m concerned they’re going to throw the keys at us one meeting because the relationship is untenable,” said Casale. “I feel, from my conversations, that that’s about where we’re at.”
Carney—who has been a vocal critic of the DDA’s management of the arts campus and has ordered a state audit of its expenses after a city audit revealed no evidence of financial mismanagement—was not swayed. He said that he wants to wait until the state audit comes back before making such a decision. Burns agreed.
Casale said of the organization “they’re not making a profit” and “they don’t have any revenues.” If so, there’s no profits or revenues being shared, anyway. Carney rebutted that the DDA should “stop doing free concerts.” Casale pointed out that the City requested that the DDA put on the free concerts at Old School Square.
Markert meanwhile reiterated his frustration with the state audit, nonsensically suggesting that another audit be done of the state audit, not for reimbursement, but “to prove what a waste of money this whole decision was.” Markert argued the City is being a “bad partner” to the DDA.
While not formalized with a vote, the consensus was to wait until the results from the state audit come back before a decision is made on amending the contract. Simon, meanwhile, did not characterize the relationship between the DDA and the City in such dire terms.
“The relationship is certainly under strain at times, but I would not characterize it as beyond repair. The DDA and the City ultimately share the same goal—ensuring that Old School Square and Downtown Delray Beach succeed for the community,” says Simon.
“What has been challenging is the lack of consistent collaboration, direct communication, and operational alignment throughout the process. The DDA team has continued to move forward operating the campus, building programming, restoring relationships within the arts and cultural industry, and serving the public, while often navigating uncertainty and public criticism rather than direct operational dialogue.”
City Manager Terrence Moore meets monthly with leadership from the DDA. At his June 1 meeting with them, Moore says, “My interest is to do as much as we possibly can as a city to be on the same accord with the Downtown Development Authority as it pertains to this and other subjects.”
A new Delray City Hall?
Carney on Tuesday brought up the prospect of Delray Beach moving its City Hall. The current building was constructed in 1961 and was last renovated almost 30 years ago.
Carney brought up a new city hall at the City’s May 7 meeting, as well. During that meeting, he suggested developing a new City Hall on a city-owned lot Lake Ida Road and Congress Avenue. To finance it, Carney suggested selling the current city hall land.
“Converting this piece of property now into a property that would be tax paying property would be interesting,” Carney said.
Carney requested a workshop meeting to discuss the “benefits and pitfalls” of moving City Hall. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea or bad idea,” he said.
Discussions continue on how to spend Delray’s remaining opioid settlement funds
Delray’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee presented its recommendation to the City Commission on Tuesday of how to best utilize the city’s remaining settlement funds.
The committee supported using the current remaining funds—around $300,000—on a mobile integrated health program—essentially emergency response that also provides additional resources for addicts. The program would be supported by future funds that come in from the settlement. It would be set up as a division within the fire department.
Casale and Burns expressed concern that not enough focus is being put on prevention. Carney raised the issue of continuity—how the program would be funded once the opioid settlement funds dry up.
The committee—made up of people in recovery, individuals in the drug rehabilitation industry, and assorted substance abuse experts—prioritized paramedicine (mobile health) over removing employment barriers, prevention, affordable, and supportive housing.
“If you only look at prevention, while important, you do a disservice to this entire public health issue,” said Chuck Ridley, a member of the committee.
Continuity is going to be an issue with whatever decision is made with the funds. Prevention programs would face the same issue once the settlement stops paying out. That means that any decision made for the funds will have to be complemented by public health grants and City efforts that come out of the City budget—something commissioners were amenable to.
A joint workshop session will be conducted between the commission and the committee. An expenditure plan for the funds has to be submitted to the state by July 1. The commission will discuss use of the funds further at its June 9 meeting.
George Bush Boulevard bridge to close for repairs
The George Bush Boulevard bridge will be closed beginning on June 1 while it undergoes repairs to its deck by the County. Construction is expected to run for seven weeks and be completed on July 20. Pedestrians and drivers will be detoured over the Intracoastal bridge on Atlantic Avenue.
Delray gets $500,000 more in PFA lawsuit
Delray commissioners were given an update on the City’s participation in a lawsuit against polyfluoroalkyl chemical (PFAs) manufacturers. So far, the City has received nearly $10 million, including a $500,000 that was recently awarded.
The lawsuit thus far has focused on manufacturers of PFAs. The next step, says the City’s outside counsel, is to identify PFA polluters and hold them accountable. City Commissioners unanimously approved allowing counsel to move forward.
