CRA director: Center for Arts and Innovation ends PCDA and lease; staff to review Alta consulting scope as downtown events continue

CRA Director Michael Brown told the agency on Jan. 13, 2025, that the Center for Arts and Innovation notified the CRA and the city on Jan. 8 of its decision to terminate immediately the Oct. 12, 2022 pre-construction and development agreement (PCDA) and the related lease “pursuant to section 14 of that PCDA.” Brown said the CRA sent a confirmation letter on Jan. 9 acknowledging that both agreements were terminated effective Jan. 8.

“On January 8th, the center notified the CRA and the city of its decision to terminate immediately the October 12, 2022 pre construction and development agreement and lease, pursuant to section 14 of that PCDA,” Brown said. “We wrote the center on January 9th confirming that both the PCDA and the lease are terminated effective January 8th.”

Brown offered to answer questions; Commissioner Richter asked for a status update on the Alta consulting plan for Palmetto and raised the possibility of expanding Alta’s scope to study connectivity between Palmetto, the eastern portion of downtown and the new Government Campus Master Plan.

“I hope you could consider, and my colleagues can consider, that maybe now is the time to expand, or at least to add a work order, for them to consider the connectivity between, not just that portion of Palmetto, but east and west to include the new government campus master plan,” Richter said. Brown replied he would consult staff and the firm to get exact details and report back to the agency.

Brown’s director’s report also included a series of downtown event updates provided by Downtown Manager Ruby Riley. Riley listed upcoming performances and events at Mizner Park and other downtown venues, including a run of the play From Brooklyn to Boca (Jan. 15–19 at the Studio at Mizner Park), performances at The Funky Biscuit (Jan. 16, 18, 23 and 25), the Boca Beer, Wine and Spirits Fest (Jan. 18 at Mizner Park Amphitheatre), a Martin Luther King Jr. unity march and ceremony (Jan. 20), Boca Street Fest downtown on Jan. 25 as part of the city’s centennial programming, and Festival of the Arts Boca (Feb. 28–Mar. 9).

Riley also reminded residents about the Boca Connect shuttle service for downtown mobility and encouraged use of the MyBoca app to find event details and to report downtown concerns. No formal action was taken on the termination notice or on Alta’s contract during the meeting; Brown said staff would follow up with additional information as requested.