Delray Beach seeking developer

Redevelopment agency wants new West Atlantic Avenue proposals

Wanted: a developer to come up with a plan for 7 acres of land in Delray Beach.

After negotiations for housing and shopping with a developer failed, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is officially soliciting new proposals.

The land is in the 600 to 800 blocks of West Atlantic Avenue.

The new developer could lease or buy the land, but the CRA has a clear wish list: mixed-use of residential, office and retail uses, including a grocery store. Other retail uses could include a pharmacy, financial institution, health and wellness facility, and entertainment, according to the CRA.

The land is on a spot once slated for a project known as Uptown Atlantic. The plan to turn it into a section of shops and housing — vs. the string of vacant lots, hotel, government offices and small businesses there now — failed earlier this month.

Developer Mike Flynn with Uptown Atlantic LLC planned to buy 6 acres of land from the city for $2 million and convert it, but protesters said it wasn’t a fair sale to sell land valued at $15 million. Flynn had first proposed the project in 2013.

Through the years, the CRA has spent considerable money on the West Atlantic corridor, including beautification projects to improve medians, sidewalks, landscaping, alleyways and streetscapes.

The area is within the jurisdiction of “The Set”, a section of West Atlantic Avenue that has been turned into a destination for businesses, restaurants and apartments.

The deadline for proposals is Oct. 5.