How does a city bridge the gap between a bustling, busy downtown area and a somewhat quieter section of town? A new $300 million “Atlantic Crossing” development.
The project is connecting the west side of Delray Beach’s East Atlantic Avenue to the Intracoastal Waterway. After more than 10 years of construction changes, and citizen input, the mixed-use development on Delray Beach’s main street is underway.
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Laura Simon, the executive director of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, says Atlantic Crossing — located on the once vacant parcel on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Federal Highway — will provide a "strong tax base to the city" and attract pedestrian traffic that could support local businesses.
She’s "excited to have a new addition, which will help continue to drive that 24/7 downtown atmosphere and urban center that we have here."
"We will have been in the construction phase for close to 18 months so far and have almost completed the first phase," Simon said.
The first phase includes construction of "sorely needed underground parking garages." She expects about 83,000 square feet of office spaces "that will bring high paying jobs, office headquarters.”
Simon says the DDA is working closely with local partners to create job fairs and other inclusive job opportunities.
"Hiring local is very important to us," Simon said. "Working with our partner at the Community Redevelopment Agency, and Career Source, locally, along with the developer, to make sure that we're providing that inclusivity to the community."
Atlantic Crossing is expected to be fully complete in 3-4 years and the development is projected to bring in $2.6 million in annual tax revenue, according to the DDA.
