Atlantic Avenue will not become a historic district.
Instead, the Delray Beach City Commission decided in a workshop meeting last week that the city will craft an ordinance to establish a conservation district for Atlantic Avenue, along with Swinton Avenue and Frog Alley in the northwest neighborhood. Mayor Tom Carney and Commissioners Angela Burns and Rob Long supported the action. Commissioners Juli Casale and Thomas Markert voted no.
The decision comes after a decade of on-and-off debate about how to preserve what Carney called “our Main Street.” Redevelopment of the avenue—especially east of Swinton—led to the revitalization of the city. It also brought recurring fears that Delray Beach will lose its “Village by the Sea” charm.
Supporters of strong historic preservation make up a comparatively small but active voting bloc. Casale is their strongest champion on the commission. The Historic Preservation Board can be a high hurdle for owners of such properties. That’s why the board’s unanimous recommendation of the Sundy Village project—which will preserve seven historic structures—was so notable.
Landowners opposed the historic district designation because they believe that it would be too restrictive. Carney made clear at the start of the meeting that he agreed. The city, Carney said, should “protect the charm and character” of Atlantic Avenue without setting “arbitrary” restrictions. When Casale asked to respond, Carney refused and asked Development Services Director Anthea Gianniotes to begin the staff presentation.
Gianniotes offered four options: the historic district, the conservation district, changes to downtown development rules, and to “end the process.” Mostly, it seemed, Gianniotes wanted the commission to finally bring the issue in for a landing—meaning that she wanted any option except the last one.
Carney said the conservation district “gets us 80% there” on preservation while allowing flexibility for landowners. Under such a district, Gianniotes noted in her presentation, the city could consider each project on its own. Carney argued that the focus should be on preventing “aggregating”—when developers acquire multiple properties—and preserving facades of historic buildings.
During their 2024 campaigns, Casale and Markert said, they found “overwhelming” support among residents for a historic district. Long countered that the Downtown Development Authority, which represents property and business owners in the target area, opposed a historic district when it was proposed in mid-2023.
Long called the historic district “a blunt instrument.” He also worried that it could prompt lawsuits from landowners. Long agreed with Burns and Carney that the biggest threat to historic preservation is “aggregation.”
City Manager Terrence Moore expressed hope that staff could present an ordinance to the commission on March 11. Carney told me Wednesday, though, that he doesn’t want the ordinance rushed. “We have to be very, very careful. A lot of people will want to comment.”
Price Patton chairs the Delray Beach Preservation Trust. Patton told me that his group will wait to comment until the specifics of the ordinance become clear.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting, Carney proposed and the commission agreed to enact a “zoning in progress”—a temporary halt on development of historic properties for six months. Summer looks to be a realistic schedule for when review of the ordinance will begin.
Delray approves contract with union workers; police contract hits impasse
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved a three-year contract with the city’s blue-collar workers.
The previous contract with the Service Employees International Union expired Sept. 30. Terms of the new deal will be retroactive to Oct. 1. Human Resources Director Duane D’Andrea said members “overwhelmingly” ratified the agreement after resolution of “work issues” related to, among other things, the water plant.
But the Police Benevolent Association has declared an impasse in negotiations over its contract, which also expired Sept. 30. In an email to commissioners, Moore said the city and union will try to agree on a mediator, who would issue a recommendation. If the city and PBA still can’t agree, the city can issue the most dramatic step—a binding declaration that imposes the city’s terms on the union.
A closed-door session with the city’s negotiating team, Moore said, “will take place in the coming days.”
I’ll have more next week.
Davis Cup coming to Delray Beach?
Moore told commissioners Tuesday that the Palm Beach County Sports Authority may bid to host a Davis Cup qualifying round in September at the city’s tennis center.
The Davis Cup is the men’s tennis equivalent of soccer’s World Cup. In April 2023, the city hosted a qualifying round in the women’s tennis version—the Billie Jean King Cup. It featured local star Coco Gauff playing for the American team.
Moore said he would have more details on March 11.
Delray approves new parking ordinance
During discussion of the historic district, Gianniotes understated when she said Delray Beach “is not begging for redevelopment.” With that redevelopment on and around East Atlantic Avenue has come a continual parking crunch.
On Tuesday, the commission approved rules for private parking lots. According to the staff memo, the city has received “numerous reports of non-transparent and sometimes predatory practices employed by certain operators, as well as the possibility for patrons to inadvertently commit violations because of insufficient signage.” Parking in private lots is more expensive than using city facilities.
Under the ordinance, operators must post signs showing clearly that they are not public lots. There also must be more information about pricing. Operators can’t use city logos. Commissioners approved the changes unanimously.
FAU receives esteemed designation
Florida Atlantic University just received a new, very important designation.
In its just-released 2025 survey, the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching added FAU to the list of R1 universities. To achieve that designation, universities must spend at least $50 million a year on research and award at least 70 research doctorates.
FAU’s related fields are Marine Studies, Environmental Research, Biomedical Research, Engineering, Social Science and Education and Business and Entrepreneurship. FAU is the sixth public university in Florida to become R1, joining the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and Florida International University. The University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University, both private, also are on the list.
No death penalty in Boca double murder case
Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for DeVante Moss. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of three people at an oceanfront Boca Raton hotel on Sept. 20. Moss’s next court date is April 21.
“Seinfeld Night” at FAU
Speaking of FAU, it will be “Seinfeld Night” tonight when the men’s basketball team hosts Wichita State.
For this game only, Eleanor Baldwin Arena will be called Del Boca Vista. That was the fictional home of Jerry Seinfeld’s parents on the show that ran from 1989 to 1998. Michael Richards, who played Cosmo Kramer, will appear. Fans also can get a vintage Seinfeld poster.
