In 2020, the City of Delray Beach initiated a study to identify solutions for issues potentially contributing to impaired mobility in the downtown core business district. The outcome of the study is intended to provide better parking management, and valet and curbside management solutions that are included in the holistic Parking and Curbside Management Master Plan. The Plan identifies projects and opportunities that will maximize curbside resources and reduce conflicts between competing demands.

Key recommendations include:

1. Aligning parking operations with prior plan recommendations regarding the pricing of on-street parking spaces, time limits and pricing of lots, and increasing the number of people parking in garages (Gibbs Shopability Analysis (2018), 2016 Parking Plan and Data Update, and the 2002 Master Downtown Master Plan).
2. Recommendations regarding valet stands within the Central Business District (CBD), to better manage traffic flow, improve service to customers, and implement new valet technologies.
3. Identifying the existing conditions on Atlantic Avenue where congestion relief, sidewalk dining, and pedestrian movement should take priority over the locations of existing valet stands and/or on-street parking, 
4. Launching an employee parking permit program.
5. Utilization of market-based indicators and thresholds to consider triggering next steps of the plan. For example, utilization of 85% parking occupancy prior to consideration of the construction of new parking facilities. 

Significant public outreach took place during the effort, which included surveys and public workshops to gather public input on parking deficiencies, cost of parking downtown, preferences for parking alternatives, and suggestions on valet parking operations.

This study was supported by the Parking Management Advisory Board and the Downtown Development Authority.

Updated: May 2023