Terrence Moore, City Manager, City of Delray Beach

In an interview with Invest:, Terrence Moore, city manager of the city of Delray Beach, said that the city is entering a transformative phase marked by major infrastructure investments and strategic redevelopment. “In short, Delray Beach is actively engaged in implementing several large-scale projects that will positively impact residents citywide.”

As the city manager of Delray Beach, what are your immediate priorities?
Right now, Delray Beach is heavily focused on launching several highly anticipated major
projects. One of the most significant is the development and construction of a new water
treatment facility. We’re on the verge of beginning the implementation phase, which will result in
substantial construction activity. Following that, we’ll begin the renovation of the Delray Beach
Municipal Golf Course. These two projects are both long-awaited and highly valued by the
community, not only because of their anticipated benefits but because they’ve been identified as
critical needs.
Our immediate focus is on securing the necessary revenue bond financing to support these
efforts. In addition, we’re implementing general obligation bond projects that were approved by voters in March 2023. These include the construction of several public safety facilities, park
improvements, and other community enhancements.

What steps is Delray Beach taking to address challenges such as affordable housing, public safety, and traffic?
Affordable housing is indeed a challenge for virtually every municipality in South Florida, and
Delray Beach is no exception. We’re taking an innovative approach to land use to create more
opportunities in this area. There are several construction and redevelopment initiatives
underway, and we’re working closely with the Department of Development Services to identify
areas suitable for both redevelopment and new development. A strong example of this is our
partnership with the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
On the public safety front, we have numerous facilities and investments pending City
Commission review, with more details to be shared soon. As for traffic, we’re collaborating with
both the Florida Department of Transportation and Palm Beach County to explore innovative,
technology-driven strategies to better manage congestion. More developments on that front will
also be forthcoming.

What other infrastructure projects or revitalization efforts are on the agenda for Delray Beach?
Another major initiative is the development of a new public safety headquarters for our Police
Department. This was part of the general obligation bond approved by residents in March 2023.
While I can’t share specific details due to the current “cone of silence” restrictions, I can say that
this facility is a top priority, along with improvements to multiple fire stations.
For example, we’ll soon unveil a new fire station on Linton Boulevard, which is nearly complete
and will soon become operational. Additionally, we’re collaborating with the CRA to fully
renovate and reconstruct the Pompey Park Recreation Center, a multifaceted facility offering
indoor and outdoor sports activities. This represents a significant investment aimed at
enhancing the community’s quality of life. In short, Delray Beach is actively engaged in
implementing several large-scale projects that will positively impact residents citywide.

How is the city balancing growth with maintaining quality of life and preserving Delray Beach’s unique identity for its residents?
Delray Beach, like much of South Florida, has seen steady economic growth. Our primary
strategy for sustaining that growth is to support redevelopment initiatives, particularly in
economically underperforming areas, that would otherwise be overlooked by the private sector.
Collaborating with the CRA has allowed us to invest in infill housing and revitalize parts of the
city that haven’t traditionally seen much development.
Market demand has driven interest in redevelopment, especially in the downtown area and
within the CRA’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. We’re also seeing new development
opportunities outside these zones, further fueling growth.
That said, we’re mindful of broader economic indicators, including the potential for a looming
recession. We’re taking a cautious approach and prioritizing strong financial stewardship to
ensure long-term stability while continuing to improve the city’s livability.

What role do public-private partnerships, or P3s, play in driving economic development for the city?
Public-private partnerships are a core reason why CRAs exist. They allow cities to collaborate
with private investors by contributing land, resources, or other incentives to spur development in
underperforming areas. This includes both infill and redevelopment projects in neighborhoods
that are not reaching their highest potential in terms of land use.
By leveraging public assets, we can encourage private investment that might not otherwise
happen, ultimately creating a more balanced and productive urban environment.

Can you elaborate on what types of redevelopment initiatives are being prioritized in these underperforming areas?
One specific example involves the Atlantic Avenue corridor east of I-95, where we’re working
with the CRA to attract new businesses. For instance, there’s been a significant interest in
bringing a grocery store to that area, which is currently considered a “food desert” because of
the lack of nearby full-service grocery options.
The CRA owns property along Atlantic Avenue and is collaborating with the city to update land
use policies that will support such developments. These types of initiatives aim to improve both
the economic and social fabric of the community.

How does Delray Beach’s location in the heart of South Florida contribute to attracting business investment and development?
Delray Beach’s geography is definitely a strategic advantage. In addition to our many ongoing
initiatives, we’re proud to have a highly regarded beachfront, which was recently named the
Best Beach Community for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. That
recognition reflects the city’s overall quality of life and the positive reputation we’ve built over the
years.
Given our consistent growth in both the residential and commercial sectors, it’s clear that the
city is no longer a hidden gem — people know about Delray Beach, and that visibility is helping
us attract more investment. Everything, from our public sector improvements to our beachfront
amenities, plays a role in strengthening our appeal.

What makes Delray Beach a great place to live, work, and play?
In addition to our beach and park amenities, we’ve made significant investments — both
through the city and the CRA — to enhance livability across the board. Areas that have
previously underperformed are now seeing organic interest from the market, which speaks
volumes about Delray Beach’s potential.
The downtown corridor, for instance, remains a major attraction due to its dining, nightlife, and
cultural events. We host numerous community-wide events, from our annual tree lighting to
parades and special performances at the Old School Square campus, that help foster a strong
sense of community. Not all cities offer this level of engagement, and it has brought a lot of
positive attention to Delray Beach.

While Delray Beach is largely residential, are there any specific industries driving job creation and economic growth?
Tourism and hospitality continue to be major economic drivers, but we’re also seeing growing
interest in the service and tech sectors. Some of this is a result of land use policy updates that
have made certain areas more attractive for commercial development.
We’re aiming to diversify the local economy by encouraging industrial and commercial uses
where appropriate. Given the population growth and residential development, the demand for
supporting businesses has increased, creating a strong foundation for economic diversification.

From a tourism standpoint, is Delray Beach planning to expand into new areas to increase activity, such as more hotels, restaurants, or nightlife options?
We’re already performing well in those sectors, and that’s well known. Our goal now is to remain
supportive of future opportunities in hospitality while also promoting a balanced approach. We
want to diversify land use to strengthen our economic base, including fostering light industrial
and commercial activity that complements the residential growth we’re seeing.

What are the city’s primary goals for the next two to three years?
Our main focus will remain consistent: executing major projects that improve long-term quality of
life, diversifying land use to support economic resilience, and continuing to enhance our
infrastructure and community amenities. We’ve discussed several examples already, but I’ll add
that the scale of what we’re undertaking is unique for a city of our size.
These projects likely should have been initiated years ago, but since 2021, I’ve been grateful for
the opportunity to provide leadership to move them forward. We’re committed to remaining
productive, proactive, and responsive to the needs of the community in the coming years.

How closely does the city of Delray Beach work with state and county officials to advance its goals?
We work very closely with both the Florida Department of Transportation and Palm Beach
County, especially given that several of our key roadways — like A1A, Atlantic Avenue, and
Linton Boulevard — fall under state jurisdiction. Our infrastructure improvements need to align
with broader regional efforts, and we coordinate to ensure that happens.
Right now, we’re actively engaged with Palm Beach County in long-term traffic planning and
infrastructure discussions. While I can’t share many specifics yet, those conversations are
ongoing and tailored to Delray Beach’s unique needs. Our role is to clearly communicate the
city’s priorities so that state and county leaders can invest strategically and effectively.