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Developer revises Boca Raton downtown campus plan; residents demand referendum and delay of council vote
Summary
Developer Tara Frisbie/Frisbie Group presented a revised downtown government‑campus plan that reduces residential density and promises added park amenities; dozens of residents and veterans urged preserving Memorial Park and demanded a public vote; council signaled it will delay an October final vote and directed staff to draft referendum language.
David Martin and Rob Frisbie, representing the team the council selected for a proposed public‑private partnership to redevelop the City Hall campus and Memorial Park, presented an updated plan Tuesday night that they said responds to recent public feedback.
Martin said the revised submission keeps Memorial Park as a civic centerpiece, retains most banyan trees and adds new recreational features including a shaded children’s playground and a minimum of eight clay tennis courts. He said the team reduced residential units from an initial 1,100 to approximately 740 and removed a hotel from the plan. “We are listening to the varied voices,” Martin said as he described changes intended to increase open space and reduce density.
Rob Frisbie, the developer partner, walked the council through site changes including enhanced pedestrian connections, a proposed mobility hub for e‑bikes and ride‑share, and a relocated civic axis designed to place the new city hall closer to the Brightline station. He told the council the updated program still promises significant long‑term revenue to the city but emphasized the team’s intent to secure community support: “We would support putting this on the ballot,” he said.
The developer presentation set off a prolonged public‑comment period. Veterans and longtime residents warned that the plan would “privatize” Memorial Park and repeatedly said the park itself is the city’s World War II memorial. Frank Patton, who identified himself as a veteran, told the council: “This project will demolish a World War 2 Memorial Park.” John Perlman, founder of the Save Boca organizing effort, said petitioners have gathered signatures to force a charter amendment protecting public land and pressed the council to put the question to voters.
Public speakers also raised concerns about fiscal transparency, possible conflicts of interest involving consultants, and traffic impacts. Steve Zumtobel questioned the fiscal assumptions used in the developer’s long‑term projections and noted the same consulting firm had financial ties to the project. Multiple speakers urged the council to pause and require fuller independent analyses, including updated traffic studies and appraisals, before any final vote.
Councilmembers responded by restating an earlier consensus to slow the timeline. Several members said October 28 is not a realistic date for a final council decision. One councilmember asked the city attorney to begin drafting ballot language so the community can consider a referendum; the council directed staff to prepare amendments and to work with the developer on an adjusted schedule. Councilmember comments emphasized due diligence and more workshops with the public before a final action.
What happens next: the developer announced additional public workshops scheduled for Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 and said its materials will be made available online. The council asked staff and the city attorney to draft a timeline amendment and possible referendum wording reflecting the developer’s stated willingness to accept voter approval as a condition of final council action.
