The Delray Beach CRA moved several long-running projects forward between April and June, from the reopening of Arts Warehouse after its first phase of renovations to the start of the site plan approval process for a townhome development on the NW 600 Block. Program Director Grace Gdaniec and Assistant Director Christine Tibbs shared what the quarter looked like from inside the agency and what comes next.
Arts Warehouse Reopens After the First Phase of Renovations
Interior work at Arts Warehouse was completed in April and May, closing out the first phase of the building’s renovation. The gallery and the resident artist studios are open to visitors again.
“We’re glad that it went smoothly and are back and open for visitors and resident artist studios,” Gdaniec said.
The quarter also closed the book on a longer effort. The Set Transformation Plan, also known as the West Atlantic Master Plan, was passed by the City after several years of work. It builds on earlier redevelopment efforts in The Set, the identity adopted in 2016 for the West Atlantic corridor and the Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods, with the goal of aligning the area with the rest of Delray Beach in economic opportunity, not just appearance.
A mural project tied to the CRA’s new building at 95 SW 5th Avenue reached a decision point. Gdaniec said the selection committee finished its work this quarter. “The committee met and was able to make a selection from the pool of applicants to move forward with designing the mural for the exterior wall of the soon to be medical building in historic Frog Alley neighborhood.”
The CRA also received two awards and recognitions for its historic preservation work during the quarter.
Housing and Redevelopment Along NW 5th Avenue
The CRA submitted its application to the City for site plan approvals on the NW 600 Block, a project that pairs affordable and workforce townhomes with a commercial unit. A change in City code made that step possible.
The City’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance was adopted in April 2026, Tibbs said, which allowed the townhomes, each designed with a detached ADU, to enter the site plan approval process.
Redevelopment work continued along NW 5th Avenue as well. The CRA secured site plan approval for the parking lot at 102 NW 5th Avenue and is finalizing plans for the interior renovation of the building.
Not every timeline held. Tibbs was direct about that. “All projects have some delays that are not anticipated. The CRA is always working with the City, our consultants and contractors on ways to address the issues that best serve the project.”
What Is Ahead This Fall
A new tenant is scheduled to open at 98 NW 5th Avenue in late summer. Pompey Park has been approved to move into its construction phase, with a groundbreaking to follow. And the mural at 95 SW 5th Avenue moves into design, with community outreach meetings to be scheduled so residents can help shape what goes on the wall.
Several public events are on the calendar, including a ribbon cutting for Allure Beauty, an Entertainment District outreach meeting, and the Pompey Park groundbreaking. Gdaniec pointed to one in particular. “Another CRA social coming up on September 3rd, a great opportunity to meet staff and learn more about specific programs.”
Taken together, the quarter reflects the range of work the CRA carries at once: a cultural facility reopening, housing moving through approvals, a corridor rebuilt block by block, and a neighborhood’s history going onto the side of a new building. None of it moves quickly on its own. It advances an approval, a renovation, and a lease at a time, which is how a district gets rebuilt.
