A Vision for Downtown Deerfield Beach — Building a Community-Centered Future
By Chaz Stevens, Candidate for Mayor of Deerfield Beach
TL;DR: A Vision for Downtown Deerfield Beach
As mayor, I’m dedicated to developing a lively, community-centered downtown Deerfield Beach where residents and visitors can thrive. Our plan includes enhancing Pioneer Park, providing affordable housing through mixed-use developments, and building a walkable, accessible district for everyone. Key goals include preserving our city’s character, supporting local businesses, and partnering transparently with developers and the community. Inspired by successes and challenges from other South Florida cities, we aim for a sustainable, inclusive future that reflects Deerfield Beach’s values. Join us to create a downtown we can all proudly call our own!
Imagine a downtown Deerfield Beach that offers everything from vibrant public spaces and small businesses to affordable housing and convenient transit options. As your mayor, I am committed to making this vision a reality. Our goal is to create a true city center for Deerfield Beach, a place where residents and visitors can work, play, and thrive. The redevelopment of our downtown area is an exciting opportunity to build a space that reflects our community’s values, embraces our local heritage, and supports future growth.
To achieve this, we will work closely with partners, including developers, land use attorneys, and community members, to ensure that our plans are responsible, inclusive, and sustainable. Here’s how we plan to bring this vision to life and why we need your support every step of the way.
Why We Need a Downtown
Deerfield Beach has always been known for its friendly community, beautiful beach, and easy-going lifestyle. But while our city has many strengths, it lacks a true “downtown” — a central area that brings people together for shopping, dining, events, and community gatherings. With thoughtful planning, we can create a downtown that benefits everyone, attracting local businesses, providing affordable housing, and ensuring easy access to public transit.
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has already provided us with an expert-backed plan for a vibrant, community-focused downtown. Their recommendations include updating Pioneer Park, creating mixed-use buildings with housing and businesses, and making our area more walkable and connected. As your mayor, I’m excited to lead this transformation.
Core Components of the Downtown Plan
Revitalizing Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park is a cherished part of Deerfield Beach, but it has room to become even more inviting and functional. Our plan includes adding shaded seating, a new event lawn, upgraded sports facilities, and a waterfront pavilion or café to attract families, fitness enthusiasts, and people who just want a pleasant place to relax. With these additions, Pioneer Park will be the perfect gateway to our new downtown, giving residents and visitors more ways to enjoy and connect with the area.
Pioneer Park should be a welcoming gateway to downtown — a vibrant, shaded space with a café, event lawn, and upgraded facilities where everyone can connect, relax, and enjoy Deerfield Beach.
Affordable Housing and Mixed-Use Development
Building a downtown that is accessible to everyone means including housing options for all income levels. We plan to include affordable and workforce housing, so that local workers, young families, and long-time residents alike have a place to call home downtown. Mixed-use development means that the same buildings will contain both residential units and businesses, bringing life and activity to the area around the clock. This kind of thoughtful growth will help keep Deerfield Beach affordable, lively, and inclusive.
Affordable housing isn’t just a checkbox — it’s the heart of a sustainable Deerfield Beach. Together, we’re building a downtown where everyone belongs and our community thrives.
Parking and Mobility Improvements
Accessible parking and easy mobility are key to a successful downtown. Plans include adding new surface lots and shared parking garages, maintaining boat launch parking, and adding mid-block pedestrian crossings to improve safety and accessibility. By prioritizing walkability, we can make downtown Deerfield Beach an enjoyable place to visit, shop, and explore on foot.
Accessible, well-planned parking and mobility options are vital for a thriving downtown. I’m committed to making Deerfield Beach’s downtown a safe, walkable, and enjoyable destination for everyone.
Community-Focused Design
Our goal is to create a downtown that feels like it truly belongs to Deerfield Beach. This means working with small businesses, preserving historical elements, and ensuring that new buildings match the character of our city. Through public-private partnerships, we can keep the area unique, welcoming, and reflective of Deerfield Beach’s friendly, hometown charm.
Downtown Deerfield Beach should feel like it belongs to everyone, blending our history with new opportunities for small businesses and community spaces that keep our city’s character alive and welcoming.
How We’ll Work with Key Partners to Bring This Vision to Life
Developing a new downtown is a big project, and it requires collaboration between public and private partners. Here’s how we plan to work with developers, land use attorneys, and the community to make our downtown vision a reality:
Partnering with Developers
Developers play an essential role in creating the buildings and spaces that will make up our new downtown. To attract responsible developers, we’ll offer incentives like tax breaks, expedited permitting, and funding opportunities. In return, we’ll ask that they support community goals by building affordable housing, green spaces, and public amenities.
Additionally, we’ll create development agreements that are flexible but clear, allowing developers to phase projects over time. This phased approach helps reduce risks for both developers and the city, ensuring that growth aligns with Deerfield Beach’s needs and goals.
Engaging Land Use Attorneys
Land use attorneys are valuable partners in navigating zoning laws, drafting agreements, and ensuring that all development follows legal standards. By working with land use attorneys, we can make sure our plans are legally sound and protect the city’s interests. Attorneys can also help us create customized zoning districts that reflect the unique character of our downtown while supporting mixed-use buildings, affordable housing, and public spaces.
By involving land use attorneys early in the planning process, we can avoid potential delays and make sure that each step of the project is smooth, compliant, and community-centered.
Community Engagement and Transparency
As your mayor, I believe that any successful project requires the trust and support of the community. This is your city, and your input is vital in shaping it. We’ll hold regular community meetings, public workshops, and design sessions to gather your thoughts, address concerns, and make sure everyone has a chance to contribute. Transparent communication will be a priority, and we’ll keep you updated on each phase of the project.
Lessons from Other South Florida Cities
We aren’t the first city in South Florida to embark on a downtown redevelopment project, and we can learn from the successes — and challenges — that other cities have experienced. In West Palm Beach, for instance, transit-oriented development near the Brightline station attracted people who value walkable, connected spaces. But other cities have had setbacks, such as the rising rents in Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard, which displaced small businesses.
To avoid these challenges, we will:
- Protect small businesses by offering incentives and keeping rental costs affordable.
- Focus on affordable housing options to prevent displacement.
- Design a walkable, connected space that encourages walking, biking, and public transit over car dependency.
These lessons will help us build a downtown that reflects Deerfield Beach’s values, supporting long-term growth without losing our city’s character.
Your Mayor, Leading the Charge for a New Downtown
As mayor, I am fully committed to leading this redevelopment in a way that prioritizes our community’s needs and values. This means:
- Transparency: I will ensure you’re informed every step of the way, from initial planning to final construction. Public meetings and open communication channels will keep you updated and allow your voices to be heard.
- Collaboration: I am committed to working with city staff, developers, and land use attorneys to create a downtown that serves us all. I’ll ensure all parties understand our goals, respect our values, and meet the high standards we’ve set.
- Long-term Vision: I’m focused on building a downtown that will continue to benefit Deerfield Beach for generations. By setting responsible, community-centered goals, we’re creating a sustainable future that respects our past and embraces our growth.
A Call to Action — Join Us in Building Downtown Deerfield Beach
Creating a new downtown is an exciting challenge that we can only achieve together. Your support and input are essential to shaping a downtown that reflects our community’s heart and serves our city’s needs.
I invite you to join us at public meetings, participate in workshops, and share your ideas for downtown Deerfield Beach. This is our city, and together, we can make downtown Deerfield Beach a place we’re all proud to call home.
Let’s build a future that honors Deerfield Beach’s heritage while creating new opportunities for our families, businesses, and visitors. I look forward to leading this journey with you.
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