BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Raton voters will decide two major ballot questions in the city’s March 10 municipal election involving public safety infrastructure and redevelopment of city-owned land near the downtown Brightline station.
The two measures ask voters to approve funding for a new Boca Raton Police Department headquarters and to authorize agreements tied to the proposed Downtown Campus Redevelopment Project, often referred to as the “One Boca” plan.
Both proposals have been the subject of public meetings, resident input, and extensive discussion at Boca Raton City Council meetings over the past several years as the city examines long-term plans for public facilities and downtown development.
Ballot Question 1 asks voters whether the City of Boca Raton should issue general obligation bonds to finance construction of a new police department headquarters and related public safety support facilities.
The bond authorization would allow the city to issue up to $175 million in debt to fund the project. The bonds would be repaid through ad valorem taxes levied on taxable property within the city and could mature over a period of up to 30 years.
City officials have proposed building the new police headquarters on city-owned land along Spanish River Boulevard between the Spanish River Library and Interstate 95.
The proposed relocation would move the department from its current downtown facility to a site with direct access to Interstate 95 and major east-west corridors. City planning documents state the new facility would include modern law enforcement technology and a structure designed to withstand hurricane-force winds more effectively than the existing building.
Ballot Question 2 concerns redevelopment of city-owned land east of Northwest Second Avenue near the Brightline station as part of Boca Raton’s Downtown Campus plan.
The measure asks voters to approve agreements between the City of Boca Raton and Boca Raton City Center, LLC to lease approximately 7.8 acres of public land for a period of 99 years.
Under the proposed agreement, developers Terra and Frisbie would construct a mixed-use project including residential units, retail space, office space, and a hotel. The private development portion is expected to include 947 residential units consisting of apartments and luxury condominiums, along with a boutique hotel and grocery store.
As part of the proposal, the developers would also construct several public facilities for the city, including a new City Hall building, a police substation, and a community center.
Planning materials for the project state the redevelopment would expand public recreation space in the area to approximately 15.6 acres while preserving portions of Memorial Park and several historic banyan trees located on the property.
The project has been the subject of significant community discussion, including feedback from residents and advocacy groups that led to revisions reducing the size of the development compared with earlier proposals.
Boca Raton City Council has previously approved development agreements tied to the project, but the ballot measure allows voters to decide whether the city should move forward with the long-term lease arrangement involving publicly owned land.
Editorial boards and civic groups across Palm Beach County have issued their own recommendations regarding the ballot questions ahead of the election.
Boca Post does not endorse candidates or ballot measures and instead focuses on reporting the facts surrounding local issues and decisions affecting residents.
Voters will cast ballots on both questions during the Boca Raton municipal election on Tuesday, March 10.
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and voters must vote at their assigned polling location.
Residents can find their Election Day polling location by visiting the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website and entering their first name, last name, and date of birth into the voter lookup tool.
After submitting the information, the assigned polling location appears near the bottom of the page under the heading “Election Day Polling Location.”
As part of our continued coverage, we previously shared the official sample ballot to help familiarize voters with the options. To recap:
Referendum Question #1
Boca Raton Police Department Headquarters and Public Safety Facilities Project
Shall the City issue general obligation bonds, in one or more series, to finance the construction and equipping of a new police department headquarters, and related public safety support facilities located within the City in the principal amount not to exceed $175,000,000, bearing interest at not exceeding the legal rate, maturing not later than 30 years from the date of issuance, and payable from ad valorem taxes levied on all taxable property in the City?For Bonds __
Against Bonds __
Referendum Question #2
Approving Lease of Downtown City Land, Agreements for Public Improvements, and Preserving / Enhancing Memorial Park
Shall the City approve agreements with Boca Raton City Center, LLC leasing 7.8 acres of City property east of Northwest Second Avenue near Brightline Station, for 99 years, creating a walkable neighborhood with residential, retail, office, and hotel uses, generating rent and revenues to City for general uses and enhancements to City property, including:Preserving Memorial Park area, honoring veterans,
Expanding public recreational and green spaces,
New community center, City Hall, and police substation?
Yes _No _
Also on the ballot, of course:
City Council — Mayor (3-Year Term)
- Andy Thomson
- Mike Liebeson
- Fran Nachlas
City Council — Seat A (3-Year Term)
- Bernard Korn
- Michelle L. Grau
- Christen Ritchey
City Council — Seat B (3-Year Term)
- Jon Pearlman
- Meredith Madsen
- Marc Widger
City Council — Seat D (1-Year Term)
- Robert S. Weinroth
- Larry Cellen
- Stacy Sipple
More coverage of Boca Raton government decisions and the Downtown Campus Redevelopment Project is available in the Boca Post Government section.
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