Newsletter: November 20, 2024

A New Exciting Project Proposed For West Atlantic

When you think about Delray, what ultimately drove you to move here and/or set up business in our Village by The Sea? 

One major driver for new residents and businesses choosing to call Delray home is its unique arts scene and diverse options in restaurants and retail.

But what if instead of large scale, urban projects such as Atlantic Crossing and Sundy Village, Delray reached back to its funky artistic past with a truly unique concept for artists /retail / restaurant space?

That dream is now becoming more likely as Delray’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is now actively seeking proposals for repurposed shipping containers to be built on West Atlantic between NW 8th avenue & NW 9th avenue.

While repurposing shipping containers to create retail/restaurant/art space isn’t new, especially in Europe and Asia, it’s been quickly gaining traction in the US for a variety of reasons.

First, durability and weather resistance: Shipping containers are built to withstand harsh conditions, as containers are extremely durable and secure.

Second, low maintenance: Steel construction requires minimal upkeep. Additionally, there’s an Innovative Design Appeal as the industrial-chic look appeals to contemporary tastes and fosters a sense of novelty. Businesses in container spaces stand out, benefiting from their unique environment.

As for benefits to the community, cities that have adopted this concept have seen these projects exceed community expectations in many ways.

In Wesley Chapel Florida, “Krate at The Grove” launched in June of 2022 (Winner of the 2022 Tampa Development of The Year) with its 29 restaurants, 17 specialty shops and performance area known as “Krate Stage.”  Krate at The Grove has become not just a regional destination, but a global destination as well.

According to Mike Carballa, County Administrator for Pasco County, the positive effects of “Krate” have been increased jobs for residents, increased business activity for nearby businesses and community engagement through the Krate’s variety of unique entertainment and events.

Another example of repurposed shipping container success is Container Park in Las Vegas. Developed in 2012, Container Park has been an incredible addition to the community as a hub for artists, entertainers and gourmet chefs. One of the more interesting aspects of this project is that while Las Vegas is one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations, Container Park has become more of a “Locals” spot.

So, what do residents and community leaders of Delray Beach think about the prospect of this type of project being considered?

“I’m personally excited about the CRA’s Container project” said Stephanie Immelman, CEO of the Delray Beach Chamber. “I’ve seen projects like this executed well in locations all over the world. I believe it will be an ideal space for small businesses to launch or build up their businesses. Increasing foot traffic to the West Atlantic area is another benefit for businesses located there.”

Mayor Tom Carney adds “It has been a while since anything new came to West Atlantic. This project sends a message that exciting things are happening, and West Atlantic will be the new downtown Delray destination.” Mayor Carney goes on to say “At first, I was unsure whether type of product was suitable for West Atlantic. That said, if done right, a container village has the potential to be creative and cutting edge. It has worked elsewhere.  So, I’m excited to see how it evolves. Since this is a unique concept, I am cautiously optimistic about how successful it can be.”

Not everyone in Delray is on board with this concept. Delray resident Julie Gillbride said in the comment section of a recent social media post “It’s not a great look, it belongs somewhere like Lake Worth.”

In support of the project, artist and Delray Beach resident Pam Maschal said “As an artist, I love this idea!”

The RFQ (request for qualification) process officially ends December
11th , at 5pm. For more info, go to: https://bit.ly/40UPuAo