Delray DDA Wins Coveted International Award for Old School Square

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been recognized with a top industry award from the International Downtown Association (IDA) for its revitalization of Delray Beach’s Old School Square. As the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts, the IDA recognizes outstanding projects each year as winners of the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations around the globe.

The DDA has been responsible for operating, maintaining, and programming activities, exhibitions and special events on the Old School Square Campus, which includes the Cornell Art Museum, Ampitheatre and Vintage Gym, since December 2022 when the organization first entered into an interlocal agreement with the City of Delray Beach. The DDA’s revitalization efforts since then, which are referenced in their award-winning entry, include the following:

·       Brought life to the Cornell Art Museum with 15 rotating art exhibitions featuring more than 300 regional artists in addition to reopening the Museum Store.

·       Activated the entire Old School Square Campus with 150+ events, including innovative and interactive art displays for all ages, concerts, festivals and markets.

·       Attracted approximately 350,000 individuals to the downtown Delray Beach campus.

·       Managed and operated all private events.

·       Launched a new brand identity for the campus and brought it to life with purposeful public relations, digital marketing, social media, and street signage.

·       Delivered an economic impact on Downtown Delray of more than $8 million.

“Receiving top industry honors from the International Downtown Association is a huge honor for our team, the Downtown Delray Beach district and the entire City of Delray Beach,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the DDA. “The revitalization of Old School Square was a huge undertaking for the DDA and we are proud to have our efforts and results recognized by the International Downtown Association (IDA), which is the absolute leading organization in our industry.”

 According to the IDA, urban place management organizations are on the front lines of solving challenges related to placemaking, economic development, urban planning and branding. These organizations activate public spaces and make cities vibrant, healthy places for everyone. IDA’s members have a proven track record of creating collaborative public-private partnerships to tackle weighty issues.