Aaronson's Alert

Pictured from left to right: Mary Lou Berger, Senior Administrative Assistant to Commissioner Burt Aaronson; John Kite, CEO of Kite Realty Group; Commissioner Burt Aaronson; Thomas K. McGowan, President and COO of Kite Realty Group

Pictured from left to right: Mary Lou Berger, Senior Administrative Assistant to Commissioner Burt Aaronson; John Kite, CEO of Kite Realty Group; Commissioner Burt Aaronson; Thomas K. McGowan, President and COO of Kite Realty Group

I recently attended the groundbreaking of the highly-anticipated Delray Marketplace. This will be the second and last traditional marketplace development (TMD) approved in the Ag Reserve. Canyon Town Center in West Boynton Beach was the first TMD which opened in May of 2009.

The Delray Marketplace represents an investment of 95 million dollars in the West Delray area. Job opportunities should reach 1500 during construction with 700 full and part time jobs expected thereafter. It is estimated that Delray Marketplace will bring $400,000 per year in taxes once complete.

The 258,000+ sq. ft. project is slated to open by November 2012. It will feature both shopping and entertainment anchored by a 12-screen movie theater, 16-lane bowling alley and a Sony Digital Lounge. It will also contain a Publix grocery store, a Sheriff’s sub-station and a family entertainment amphitheater all accessible by several entrances off Atlantic Avenue and the new Lyons Road extension.

Current committed retailers include Max’s Grille; Famous Famiglia Pizza; Terra Fiamma; Japango Sushi Thai Asian Cuisine; Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt; Shula Burger; The Grind Coffee; Sababa Lounge; The Olive Tap; Chico’s; White House Black Market; Apricot Lane; JoS. A. Bank; Bobby Chan Apparel; Aroma Fragrance; Charming Charlie; Venetian Spa, Chase Bank; Ted Todd Insurance; and Verizon Wireless. For more information you can visit http://delraymarket.com.

As always, I invite your comments on any issue of interest to you.  As your Commissioner, I am here to help you.  You may write me at 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401 or call my staff at 276-1310 or toll free at 877-930-2205.  My email address is: baaronso@pbcgov.org