Ruby Riley
Planning and Development
As the Downtown Manager, City of Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Ruby Riley, AICP, has been advancing the attributes of our burgeoning Downtown since 2010.
In her current role, Riley coordinates with Planning and Development and with Code Compliance on projects and provides oversight of the marketing and promotion of Downtown Boca Raton. Riley also works with the Mizner Park leases and its publicly owned areas (POA) and coordinates with the commercial property manager.
“It’s been kind of a wild ride,” Riley explains when asked about her accomplishments. “We initiated promoting Downtown and bringing pedestrians by way of the Pedestrian Promenade, in collaboration with the Downtown Advisory Committee.
“When I started with Downtown, we created a website, downtownboca.org and related social media platforms, with consultants (because I didn’t have a full-time staff person) to establish a strategic marketing plan.”
Along with that, she held events like Meet Me on the Promenade, Brazilian Beat, Italian Fest and Friday Night Live to encourage residents and visitors to “Come Early and Stay Late.”
Branded Downtown Boca items, installed throughout Mizner Park, Sanborn Square and Downtown on Riley’s watch, include games and photo ops, banners and pavement markers, and “our first branded piece of artwork, #DowntownBoca, located in Mizner Park.”
The CRA is dedicated to the sustainability of Downtown and fiscal responsibility to ensure that available funds are allocated and spent properly for the continued elimination of blight and assurance of vibrancy, as well as compliance with Florida State Statutes and the Downtown Development Plan, Riley explains. Mizner Park was the impetus to encourage private development of other mixed-use projects and it remains a Downtown focal point.
“Downtown is also very excited to assist the city in celebrating its 100 years,” she adds. As a partner, Riley serves on the City Centennial Committee to help steer the events and activities.
“It has been an honor working for the City of Boca Raton for over 34 years,” she says. “Of all my jobs, Downtown Manager has been my favorite. Without my small, but mighty Downtown team, these enhancements would not be possible.”
Riley looks forward to retiring at the end of 2025, knowing that she’s left her mark on the heart of the city — Downtown Boca.
City of Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561-367-7070, myboca.us
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