Who We Are
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority is an independent special taxing district created by the Florida Legislature in 1967 at the request of downtown stakeholders. Our purpose is to champion a thriving, welcoming, and economically resilient Downtown West Palm Beach for everyone who lives, works, visits, and invests here.
Our mission
Promote and enhance a vibrant Downtown West Palm Beach for all.
What we do
We deliver programs and projects that go above and beyond standard municipal services to improve quality of life, grow economic activity, and strengthen the sense of place in the heart of the city. Our work spans four pillars:
- District Services and Operations: Keeping downtown clean, safe, and event ready through daily cleaning, graffiti removal, pressure washing, landscaping, and wayfinding.
- Public Realm Programs: Placemaking, activations, and amenities that make our streets and public spaces more comfortable and connected.
- Business Development: Support for storefront vitality through marketing exposure, grand opening assistance, façade and leasehold improvement grants, and data that helps businesses thrive.
- Marketing and Public Relations: Year-round storytelling and destination marketing that invite people to explore the Center of Paradise. Signature series and seasonal campaigns highlight local culture, wellness, dining, and arts.
How we are governed
The DDA is a separate entity from the City of West Palm Beach. We are governed by a seven-member Board of Directors composed of downtown property owners, business owners, and residents. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Commission.
How we are funded
Properties within the DDA District pay a dedicated assessment that funds programs and improvements inside district boundaries.
- Current assessment: 0.97 mill, which equals $0.97 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Example: a condo assessed at $500,000 pays about $485 annually.
- The DDA is authorized to levy a second mill. Since 2007, that portion has been covered by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency through an interlocal agreement with the City and the DDA.