Main Street Delray Beach
Atlantic Avenue
Untapping the Potential of Atlantic Avenue - by removing turn lanes at "Killer Intersections" and narrowing too wide roads to create the Main Street we need
Downtown Atlantic Avenue is the most important street in Delray Beach. For most of it, starting at I95 there are six lanes with parking on both sides as it approaches the downtown core. This width ends with a "bang" at Swinton where it suddenly becomes a two lane road (one lane in each direction).
After that, you enter the downtown area. Although there is no gateway to announce that you have entered the heart of the city, everything notably changes for a few wonderful, vibrant blocks that make up the short-lived "core of main street". Then, it becomes an oversized road again, continuing for another 10 blocks until it arrives at the Atlantic Ocean with no sense of arrival worthy of this important destination.
People on one side have so little sense of what is happening across this enormously wide, over-designed intersection, that nothing makes them want to journey across it. There is so much wasted potential here...
There is no bigger opportunity for a city than to create intersections that connects people to each other and to commercial offerings, public places, civic buildings and amenities. That is what creates a socially vibrant and economically prosperous place, rather than just a jumble of disjointed street segments and parking lots which people get frustrated trying to navigate.
The gateway into a city's downtown should draw people in and make them excited to explore it, not kill their interest and drive them away like this one does. This isn't a smart move in any regard – social, economic or otherwise.
A Shared Intersection - 2nd Avenue East and Atlantic Avenue creates the best destination in Downtown Delray.
Downtown Core - Swinton to A1A map
The Heart of Delray Beach
This amazing oasis of humanity is the enemy of progress by the transportation world. All they see is congestion and a disease expanding into their realm of responsibility
Social Life at the Corners
This intersection is lined with vibrant destinations full of people. What's more, because the streets are narrow here, vehicles are naturally slowed to almost a walking speed. Drivers are able to see and take in the sights, drawn in by the volume of interesting scenes and people. Pedestrians are here because this is the hot spot, the Heart of Delray, where everyone wants to be and more importantly, where everyone feels comfortable being.
The Four Corners
Each corner of this intersection is a gathering place where people can stop and talk, hang out, and even stand in the street without anxiety.
Each photo above shows one of the four corners
Waiting at the corner is a social experience. Whereas at the intersection we saw before, waiting at the corner is a stressful experience that people want to be over as soon as possible, here people actually enjoy spending time at the corner. People are in groups of all sizes, ages and cultures, just enjoying themselves without a care, because cars drive slowly and there is much to see and do.
Expressions of joy and interest at the intersection
Another crucial difference is that at this location, crossing the street is casual and safe. It doesn't require intense focus and carefulness. People are at ease.
People feel comfortable and safe enough to not even pay attention to the cars and multi-task instead.
For more on this intersection:
Fred Kent
It's impact is so strong that it spreads out in all directions creating additional "HUBs" ...North, East, South and West
North to Pineapple Grove
At the corner going north, the long "too" narrow sidewalk is the place to hang out
South on East 2nd
East to Federal South Bound
Johnnie Browns
Atlantic Avenue Prime Block - Colony Hotel
Atlantic Avenue starting on this block expands to four lanes with parking lanes on both sides
This key Block between North and South Federal, was Historicaly the main anchor for Atlantic Avenue. The historic Colony Hotel is the best known destination on the Avenue and represents Delray's past and needs to be "the signature destination" in the future as a main anchor for the center. But the killer streets and intersections on three sides surrounding it make an island in a sea of traffic, isolating it from the rest of Atlantic Avenue. There are a total of 12 lanes devoted to vehicles, 10 lanes to traffic and two for parking.
The Center Piece is The Colony Hotel
It is the Iconic destination on the central block of Main Street. It has character and gives the city core a recognizable look and feel that sets it apart from other places.
This key mid-block destination between North and South Federal has to anchor the center. Enhancing its surroundings through wider sidewalks, squares, and "inside out" elements would help give it the kind of activity that the center of town deserves.
Fashion Show on Atlantic Avenue
The hotel is also the site of fun events and programs like fashion shows. The center of a community is always a place where things are happening. The energy and character of this hotel is what makes it a great candidate for the heart of town.
Benchmark
In Saratoga Springs, the plaza/porch in front of the historic Adelphi Hotel. Its liveliness is no small part of why the hotel is a local landmark.
Connecting Federal North Bound to the Inter Coastal is the worst and most narrow sidewalk in the entire stretch of Downtown Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic Crossing Development - Architecture that doesn't want to be there.
This new development does not fit nor add enough to Atlantic Avenue. It's position at the corner as an entrance is not at the level it should be. First, it does not read well as aprominent building should at the prime location. We had to go by it a number of times to learn that it housed a restaurant. The entrance has no identity as a restaurant. The Atlantic Avenue side is hidden by a long wall hiding the outdoor cafe; the interior block is full of oversized planters; and wide cafe at the entrance acts as a barrier to the inner walkway ...plus there is a subtle planting wall all along main blocks facing Atlantic Ave and Federal...that makes sure that the traffic has no interruptions or interest so vehicles won't slow down. It is a nice looking building and could have been a major asset and a comapnion to the best building on Atlantc Avenue, The Colony Hotel. Our concern is what does the development going on next, east along Atlantic. Then there is the opportunity for park as a waterrfront destinaation along the Inter Coastal
Atlantic Crossing
Atlantic Crossing is the latest development that did not turn out so well. It gives the sense that it doesn't want to be there. It is an enclosed, self suffient island that belongs somewhere else. The image below shows an open corner, probably a cafe, on Federal. Along Federal, there is a wall and an entrance to what might be a restaurant and an internal corridor stuffed with oversized planters and setting that is too narrow. What it could have been is entirely lost in public spaces that just don't work. We could show you in more detail what we mean with some benchmarks. This unfortunately is a space that needs to be redone, now.
Between Federal and the Inter Coastal is narrowest and worst sidewalk on Atlantic Avenue.
Our other favorite restaurant, J&J seafood, is on this first block is It is one of the best seafood restaurants we have ever been to, but it has the narrowest and worst sidewalk on Atlantic Avenue. We need to sit outside because Kathy is in a wheelchair and it is hard to get in and be comfortable. The outside is sloped down into the street and usually has steady stream of noisy vehicle traffic that makes it feel even more uncomfortable. Watching people in a bad setting is not a pleasure. They are trying to get through; they often need to form a single file; and there is no joy, no socializing, no gathering like at the Farm House corner. Plus, Atlantic Avenue is six lanes wide including parking. It is wide, noisy and hostel. We can't eat inside with a wheel chair, although it is accessable, so, in the future, we will have to do take out. Very sad!
Benchmark and a LQC (Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper) Fix
An entire lane of traffic was removed on the major egress route out of New Haven. This could be done immediately...in a week. The impact would be tremendous. It should be done as an experiment all along the south side of Atlantic from Federal to the bridge.
This Stretch of Atlantic Avenue only works as a major event space
The Inter Coastal - A Potential Waterfront Destination
This underperforming public spaces could easily be the top waterfront destination in Delray Beach. Being on the water neds to be a key atribute for Delray Beach. That means creating other destinations on othe water bodies. The Inter Coastal needs to be one.
The Inter Coastal is a stretch of water just before the ocean which has the potential to become an exceptional destination. The section shown here is the only accessible water body on Atlantic Avenue that can have activity such as cafes on the water and other waterfront uses. Its potential should be maximized with all kinds of programs, and amenities with docks for boats coming to Atlantic Avenue...or even water taxis.
It needs a vision and strong team to implement and to keep it programmed year around so that it can become a major activated waterfront destination, certainly the best on the Inter Coastal
Benchmark to Learn From
Paris Plage
Paris may have the best waterfront in the world. There are many small activations which could be used to create a destination for even a small section of a waterfront.
Fred Kent
Pop-up Restaurants along the Seine
Casual dining and just hanging out is the main draw on this part of the upper Seine
Fred Kent
Between the Inter Coastal and A1A - more room for improvement
The Importance of Creating a Destination at the ocean
Where Atlantic Street meets the Atlantic Ocean and the historic A1A route there is a strong need to create a significant destination that announces the arrival at the Atlantic Ocean. This intersection is the most valuable property in Delray Beach. This stretch of A1A is barely functioning at all and deserves to have a place on the "ocean" that is worthy of a city like Delray. Deerfield Beach Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and all the communities between Fort lauderdale and Miami Beach have destinations that define their city. Right now it is just another bland intersection on a crowded road that denies that potential.
In places like this there needs to be something that highlights the city's relationship with the water. For example, a porch/plaza/pier here can create a signature waterfront highlight that other major waterfront cities are defined by such as San Francisco, Santa Monica, and Chicago. In Florida along A1A in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Holly - North Beach
This 6 lane, with parking dumps directly into A1A which should be another key destination on Atlantic Ave
These few assets at the main intersection on A1A are a start, but there is much more that can and should be done to make this intersection a highlight of the city. This would draw in more people to visit, as well as make residents feel a greater sense of pride about living in the home of beautiful places and natural wonders.
Required - A Pier and Promenade at the intersection of A1A and Atlantic Avenue
Hollywood - North Beach. Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach
Santa Monica, San Francisco Pier 59, New York, Hudson River
Takeaway
The Atlantic Avenue intersections where turn lanes have been added are those where possible opportunities to rebuild and grow Atlantic's value moving into the future have been greatly diminished. Giving more space to streets, through turn lanes, means taking away space from people and businesses. This suffocates the social and commercial growth of the city.
The main street's potential has been severely restricted by the application of turn lanes at most of its 10 intersections that squeeze out activity and vibrancy. For example, starting at Federal (Route 1) South Bound, Atlantic Avenue returns to a four lane road with parking which totally destroys any semblance of being in a thriving downtown area. You go back to feeling like you're swimming in a car-centric nothingness. This is just another example of giving cars, rather than ourselves, the best of our cities. Why? Let's stop here and shift our focus to people as we move forward into the future.
