Boca Raton Council introduces downtown campus ordinance amid fierce public debate over Memorial Park, finances and referendum

The Boca Raton City Council on Jan. 6 introduced an ordinance to advance a public–private redevelopment of the downtown government campus, prompting more than three hours of presentations, legal explanations and public testimony that sharply divided residents.

City staff and technical advisers described a revised master plan developed with Terra Frisbie (branded in materials as "1 Boca") that would reserve the west side of the campus for civic uses — including a city hall, community center and police substation — and allow mixed‑use private development east of Northwest 2nd Avenue anchored to the Brightline station. Deputy City Manager Andy Lukaszek told the council the project has been shaped by more than 40 public meetings and now reflects about a 27% reduction in development intensity from the original proposal.

The city’s financial advisers and consultants said the revenue model uses percentage rent — a share of gross rents generated on the private development — rather than a small guaranteed payment. CBRE, the city's technical adviser, defended a 4.4–4.5% discount rate for public‑side…