Executive Director’s Update: October at a Glance
October 28th, 2026
October marked the beginning of FY 2026–27, and the DDA remains focused on strengthening Downtown West Palm Beach while addressing the evolving needs of our community. Building on the progress of the past year, we continue to prioritize enhanced services, strategic investments, business recruitment and retention efforts, community partnerships, and long-term planning. Our commitment remains on creating a safe, clean, vibrant, and economically thriving downtown for residents, businesses, property owners, and visitors.
Below is a summary of key items presented and discussed at the October Board meeting, actions taken, and what comes next.
Board Meeting Highlights
West Palm Move
The City of West Palm Beach, in partnership with Via, presented an overview of West Palm Move, a new integrated transportation system designed to improve mobility, reduce downtown traffic congestion, increase accessibility, and reduce parking demand.
Key Program Highlights
- Integrated Transportation: Combines a fixed-route bus service operating every 10 minutes with on-demand microtransit targeting average wait times under 15 minutes.
- Service Coverage: Microtransit will serve approximately 15 square miles of West Palm Beach, with connections to downtown destinations.
- Operating Hours: Fixed-route service operates seven days a week with varying hours. Microtransit operates daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Affordable Fares: Fixed-route trips cost $1, while microtransit and combined trips cost $2.
- Electric Fleet: The system will use 100% electric vehicles, with wheelchair-accessible transportation available.
- System Capacity: Designed to accommodate approximately 1.6 million rides, serving an area encompassing 72,000 residents and 59,000 jobs.
- Future Expansion: Plans include extended operating hours, an east-west route, and autonomous vehicle integration beginning in Year 3.
- Community Outreach: Via plans to collaborate with the DDA on stakeholder engagement, senior technology workshops, and youth outreach.
West Palm Move is intended to strengthen connections between downtown businesses, residential neighborhoods, employment centers, and cultural destinations. West Palm Move represents a significant investment in modernizing transportation throughout West Palm Beach. Continued coordination between the City, Via, and DDA will be important to ensure the service meets the needs of downtown residents, businesses, employees, and visitors.
To view the West Palm Move presentation, CLICK HERE.
Trash Can Replacement
DDA staff reviewed several options for Phase 2 of the Downtown Trash Can Replacement, comparing receptacles based on cost, durability, weather resistance, maintenance needs, and warranty coverage and suitability for South Florida’s coastal environment.
Key Considerations
- Durability: Enhanced protective coatings and corrosion resistance are important due to the coastal environment.
- Maintenance: Side-opening designs may improve servicing and trash collection.
- Warranty: Options range from one- to three-year warranties, with the aluminum Poe receptacle offering replaceable parts and a manufacturer representative’s estimated lifespan of five to seven years or longer.
- Cost: The existing receptacle is the least expensive option, while alternatives offer different designs and protective finishes at higher costs.
The DDA continues to evaluate options for Phase 2 of the Downtown Trash Can Replacement Project, which includes the purchase of 50 additional receptacles. The review focuses on balancing cost, durability, maintenance efficiency, and long-term performance in the downtown environment.
Additional details regarding the longevity of the cans and cost analysis was requested. This will be discussed at the November 2026 board meeting.
To view the Trash Can Replacement presentation, CLICK HERE.
Business Incentive Program Review
Staff presented potential updates to the Business Incentive Grant Program for FY 2026–27, focusing on strengthening business recruitment and retention, reducing storefront vacancies, and encouraging investment in downtown commercial properties.
The proposed enhancements prioritize activating vacant storefronts, attracting retail and creative businesses, and supporting the subdivision of larger commercial spaces to create additional leasing opportunities.
Recommendations Presented for Discussion
- Funding: Maintain reimbursement of up to 25% of eligible improvements, capped at $75,000, while generally limiting eligible projects to $500,000 in improvements.
- Vacancy Reduction: Prioritize long-vacant storefronts and businesses that enhance Downtown’s merchandise mix.
- Property Improvements: Encourage the subdivision of difficult-to-lease commercial spaces and explore $5,000–$10,000 in feasibility and design assistance.
- Program Efficiency: Reduce administrative review timelines to 30–45 days and consider extending the repeat-award restriction from three to five years.
- Accountability: Increase the application fee to $125 and establish performance measures tracking storefront activation, new leasable spaces, and business survival.
The proposed program enhancements aim to make the DDA’s business incentives more strategic and effective in addressing commercial vacancies, attracting new businesses, and supporting long-term economic vitality. The recommendations were presented for Board consideration. The Board also requested a presentation on creating rental assistance program for businesses in the DDA District.
To view the Business Incentive Program presentation, CLICK HERE.
Homeless Outreach Partnership Continues
The DDA continues its partnership with the City of West Palm Beach’s Homeless Outreach Team to provide coordinated outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness within the DDA District.
Building on the original 2024 agreement and the Board’s February 2026 approval, the updated Interlocal Agreement (ILA) focuses on strengthening outreach, improving coordination among City outreach staff, DDA Ambassadors, law enforcement, and service providers, and connecting individuals with shelter, treatment, supportive housing, and other essential resources.
The DDA Board approved the updated ILA and authorized $150,000 in funding, as previously allocated in the FY 2026–27 budget, to continue a compassionate, coordinated, and solution-oriented approach to addressing homelessness in Downtown West Palm Beach.
Strategic Planning Process – Downtown District Walking Tour
As part of the DDA’s five-year strategic planning process, the Board and staff participated in a walking tour of the downtown district with the Stratus Team. The tour provided an opportunity to assess current conditions, highlight ongoing projects and investments, and identify opportunities and challenges related to economic development, public spaces, mobility, and the overall downtown experience. Insights gathered during the tour will help inform the development of strategic priorities and initiatives that will guide the DDA’s efforts over the next five years.
Staying Connected
As these initiatives move forward, we will continue sharing updates on decisions, next steps, and opportunities for community input. We encourage those who live, work, own property, operate a business, or spend time downtown to stay informed and participate in the conversations shaping Downtown West Palm Beach.