Residents demand vote, press for details as Boca Raton council hears hours of testimony on downtown campus plan

Dozens of Boca Raton residents told City Council members on an extended agenda item that a proposed public–private redevelopment of the downtown City Hall campus would remove irreplaceable parkland and worsen traffic, and many urged a citywide referendum.

The scope of public comment at the meeting focused on a plan that would replace and relocate some municipal facilities, add private development and create a new “government campus.” Several speakers said the plan would convert or lease publicly owned parkland. "I think this is too big, and we're paving paradise to put up a parking lot," said Brett Lassen, a 42-year resident of Boca Raton. Other speakers demanded the city put the question to voters.

City officials said the project is still in a planning and due-diligence phase and that a range of technical studies and financial analyses are underway. "We're still planning," said Mr. Brown, the city manager, adding that the city is continuing traffic, geotechnical and…