DDA BUSINESS CONNECTION | DECEMBER Monthly Newsletter

ART & JAZZ ON THE AVENUE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 IN PINEAPPLE GROVE at 6 - 9 PM
A reimagined Art & Jazz on the Avenue is returning to downtown Delray Beach! Art & Jazz on the Avenue will be held on the fourth Wednesday of December, May, and July from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How you can get involved: Participate in the event whether you are located within the event footprint or not! (Priority goes to Downtown Delray businesses). Sponsorships are available too!
Road Closure: NE 2nd Ave. will be closed from Atlantic Avenue to NE 3rd St. starting at 2pm.

Holiday Festivities throughout Downtown Delray
Now through December 31, 2021

Our downtown businesses and organizations have put together some fun holiday activities throughout December. Get in the spirit and find ways to participate at your business!

How YOU can get involved:
- Sign up for the HOLIDAY DECOR CONTEST
- Host a HOLIDAY Event at your Business (and tell us about it here so we can promote it)
- Participate in ART & JAZZ
- Give back - give to TOYS FOR TOTS and/or the END HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE

*Reminder: the Holiday festivities kick off tonight (Nov. 30th)! with the 100 FT. CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING from 6 - 9PM AT Old School Square Park. Atlantic Avenue will be closed from Swinton to Federal Highway.

SHOP SMALL ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY
EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER 2021
The DDA wants visitors to support our local businesses and shop small this holiday season! When customers shop in #DowntownDelray, tell them to save their receipts to redeem a limited edition 2021 Delray Beach ornament at the DDA office! (must spend $200 at Downtown Delray businesses).
How You can get involved: Tell your customers to save their receipts to redeem a custom 2021 Delray Beach ornament!
Redeem ornaments at the DDA office address between 9am-5pm on weekdays: 350 SE 1st St, Delray Beach, FL 33483

Annual Holiday Boat Parade
December 10, 2021 | 6:30 PM

The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Delray Beach invite you to celebrate the holiday season Florida style, as a flotilla of brightly-decorated boats light-up the Intracoastal Waterways for the annual Holiday Boat Parade.
This holiday illumination show can be viewed from Veterans Park, Deck84, and the City Marina along the parade course.

How You can get involved: Be open during the parade and welcome guests downtown!
Road Closure: Intercoastal Bridges at George Bush Blvd, Atlantic Avenue and Linton Blvd will open at 7:30pm and remain open until the end of the parade.

Howard Alan Art Festival
December 4 - 5, 2021 | 10 AM - 5 PM

This annual juried art festival brings hand-crafted artwork including glass, photography, painting, mixed media, fiber, jewelry and much more, from hundreds of national artists to the streets of Downtown Delray Beach.

How You can get involved: Be open and inviting to our Art Lover visitors!
Road Closure: Starting at 3am on Saturday (12/4), NE 4th Ave will be closed from Atlantic Avenue to NE 2nd St and will open back up 10pm on Sunday (12/5).

Delray Beach Holiday Parade
December 11, 2021 | 6PM - 9PM

A holiday parade will begin at 6pm from Atlantic Ave bridge to NW 5th Avenue. Plenty of room to watch the parade along Atlantic Avenue - over 20 blocks.

How You can get involved: Be open during the parade and welcome guests downtown!
If you wish to participate please fill in this FORM and send it (no later than December 2) to the Parks & Recreation Department, Danielle Beardsley, at BeardsleyD@Mydelraybeach.com.

Road Closure: Starting at 2pm Atlantic Avenue will be closed from Andrews Avenue to NW 8th Ave. There will be a rolling opening of the street following the parade (approximately 8pm).

DDA BOARD MEETING
December 13, 2021 at 12:00 PM

Regular meetings are scheduled for the second Monday of the month, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. These meetings include information about what the DDA has been working on and will be working on as well as updates from our partner organizations – The City, CRA, and Chamber. If you are interested in attending, members of the public are asked to attend via zoom if possible as space is limited.

November Board Meeting Highlights:
- The City of Delray Beach is proposing a parking fee increase for Beachside parking. If approved, the hourly rate would change from $1.50 up to between $2.75 - $5.00 per hour. This proposed parking fee increase will be discussed at the next DDA Board meeting (Dec. 13th) and at the City Commission meeting: If you have input about this fee increase as a business owner in Delray Beach, please contact us at dda@downtowndelraybeach.com to voice your opinion and/or speak at the DDA Board meeting.

Click the link below for past meeting minutes and future meeting information (zoom meeting link & agendas):

Legacy Business: Salutations of Delray
535 E Atlantic Ave. - Atlantic Ave.

You can find incredible stationary and custom invitations at this Downtown Delray Beach shop...but they have so much more! Salutations of Delray is a family-owned retail boutique that has been south Florida’s best resource for custom wedding and party invitations, birth announcements, stationery, and unique gift items for years. They work hard to make everyday a special occasion, and make sure every celebration is unique.

Road Closure: Events

HOWARD ALAN: December 4-5, 2021
Starting at 3am on Saturday (12/4), NE 4th Ave will be closed from Atlantic Avenue to NE 2nd St and will open back up 10pm on Sunday (12/5).
Holiday Boat Parade: December 10, 2021
Intercoastal Bridges at George Bush Blvd, Atlantic Avenue and Linton Blvd will open at 7:30pm and remain open until the end of the parade..
Delray Beach Holiday Parade: December 11, 2021
Starting at 2pm Atlantic Avenue will be closed from Andrews Avenue to NW 8th Ave. There will be a rolling opening of the street following the parade (approximately 8pm).
Art & Jazz: December 22, 2021
NE 2nd Ave. will be closed from Atlantic Avenue to NE 3rd St. starting at 2pm.

DOWNTOWN UPDATES

NEW SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY -- We are looking for sponsors to assist with our expanded hours for our Safety Ambassador Program. Sponsorship dollars go toward expanded the hours of our Safety Ambassadors as well as hiring more yellow shirts to help patrol the downtown. We are excited to welcome Big Al’s Steaks, Rocco’s Tacos, Elisabetta’s as sponsors! Sponsor logos will be featured on the Safety Ambassador golf cart. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please reach out to Marusca Gatto mgatto@downtowndelraybeach.com

Safety Ambassador Program Update: Safety Ambassadors have expanded hours and staff now on Thursday - Saturday. Find the new hours and all the Safety Ambassador info here.

End Homelessness Initiative: The DDA is a part of the Delray Beach Initiative to End Homelessness and want to offer a way to help the homeless this holiday and busy season. You can give back this season, buy donating the following to the homeless: Men’s jeans (size 30 to 42), Men’s & women’s sweatpants, hoodies, long sleeve shirts (all sizes), Men’s & women’s shorts & shirts (all sizes)
Learn more about the Delray Beach Initiative to End Homelessness

Connect with them through their Facebook

OTHER WAYS TO HELP: AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) asked for Walmart or Target gift cards to distribute to their teens whose families are homeless.

About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a dependent taxing authority, within the City of Delray Beach, which was established in 1971 by way state statute. The DDA is funded by a special tax levy on properties within its district boundaries. Our mission is to grow, strengthen, and enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach. As an autonomous agency of the City, the Delray Beach DDA advocates, facilitates, plans, and executes business development, fosters business relations, helps with the planning of capital improvements, and markets the downtown district.