Delray corridor plan fails over concerns about price

A plan to bring in a developer to convert Delray Beach’s main drag into a bustling section of shops and housing failed for a second time Wednesday night as a string of residents panned the latest proposal.

So it’s back to the drawing board to figure out how to turn West Atlantic Boulevard — from the 600 to 800 block — into more than a string of vacant lots, small businesses, government offices and a hotel that cars pass on the way to the beach.

Mayor Shelly Petrolia was on the losing side of a 4-3 vote by Delray’s Community Redevelopment Agency Board on Wednesday night.

Petrolia said the failure to approve the agreement with Uptown Atlantic LLC means it will be at least three years before a shovel goes into the ground for the project to revitalize the corridor.

“This particular developer has already gone through all the processes that would get him to the permit stage,” she said, citing the architectural and engineering work that’s already been

done.

On the table: developer Mike Flynn with Uptown Atlantic LLC was going to buy 6 acres of land from the city for $2 million and convert it according to the city’s wishes: a mix of housing and shops, anchored by a supermarket. The land is valued at $15 million. Some residents at Wednesday’s meeting complained it was too much of a bargain to sell it for $2 million. Other speakers, as well as board members, said the deal gave the developer too much wiggle room.

City Commissioner Ryan Boylston, who’s also on the redevelopment panel, said the city “dodged a bullet” by rejecting the deal and predicted a new deal will put shovels in the ground in 18 months to spur the area’s rebirth.