BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — City staff and consultants provided a series of updates this month on the proposed Downtown Campus project, outlining the regulatory steps required to implement the conceptual master plan and clarifying recent actions taken by City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board.
According to city staff, the Downtown Campus project would move forward through multiple public and regulatory approvals over time, rather than a single decision. Some actions are scheduled to occur before the March 10, 2026 municipal election, while others would only take place if voters approve the ballot question. Later stages would include rezoning and detailed site plan reviews, during which traffic, infrastructure, and sustainability issues would be evaluated.
As part of the update, a consultant for Terra & Frisbie presented conceptual street-level renderings illustrating how portions of the project could appear from public areas such as streets, sidewalks, and parks. The images were described as conceptual only and intended to show potential scale, massing, and pedestrian experience. City officials emphasized that the renderings are not final designs and were not submitted for approval.
Clarification was also provided regarding the independent appraisal of properties within the downtown campus area. Representatives from Walter Duke & Partners explained that the firm was retained by the City as an independent appraiser and does not represent Terra & Frisbie or negotiate on their behalf. The presentation reviewed how the project area was evaluated, including distinctions between market value, ground lease value, and the current “as-is” value of the property.
Two ordinances related to City-owned land were introduced at the December 16 City Council regular meeting.
Ordinance No. 5766 was introduced for consideration and would establish additional procedures for the sale, lease, or other conveyance of City-owned land greater than one-half acre. The ordinance would require expanded public notice through mailed notifications, two public hearings, and written findings by the City Council demonstrating that any such action serves a public purpose and benefits City residents.
At the same meeting, City Council also introduced Ordinance No. 5768, which would amend the City’s zoning code to limit City-owned public parks to public and recreational uses. The ordinance would prohibit non-recreational development on parkland, while allowing easements, utilities, and infrastructure that do not substantially interfere with public use.
Further review of the Downtown Campus proposal occurred on December 18, when the Planning and Zoning Board examined the proposed 99-year ground lease involving approximately 7.8 acres of City-owned property. After reviewing the proposal, board members voted 7–0 to recommend approval of the proposed conveyance.
City officials outlined several upcoming milestones tied to the project.
On January 6, 2026, City Council is scheduled to hold a first reading of an ordinance to approve the Master Partnership Agreement, long-term ground leases, and related agreements. Final consideration and a vote on those agreements are scheduled for the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting.
If the agreements are adopted by City Council, residents would then vote on March 10, 2026, on whether to approve the set of agreements that establish the overall framework for the future use of the Downtown Campus.
The proposed downtown campus and police headquarters projects won’t move forward without voter approval. Boca Raton residents will weigh in March 10 on two referendum questions that could shape the city’s core for decades.
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