Residents urge preservation of Gumbo Limbo and tennis courts as campus plans move forward

Multiple residents and a Beach & Park District commissioner urged the council at the July 14 workshop to preserve key public amenities as the city pursues government campus redevelopment.

Commissioner Craig Ernst, speaking as both a resident and as a Beach & Park District commissioner, called Gumbo Limbo a "world class jewel," asked the city to solicit competitive bids for any rehabilitation work and urged a collaborative interlocal agreement so the district and city can work together on the site.

"Let's not lose it," Ernst said, adding the district has historically funded Gumbo Limbo and that the city should consider expanding visitor amenities such as a gift shop to enhance the center's offerings.

Resident Judy Morrow, who said she has lived in Boca Raton for more than 35 years, asked the council to keep the Boca Raton Tennis Center at its current site after 63 years and requested clarification about an apparent $4,200,000 estimate to move the children's museum.

"I did not know that it cost $4,200,000 to move the children's museum," Morrow said, asking when and why the museum would be moved and noting that $550,000 reserved in the past for tennis center improvements had not been spent.

City Manager George Brown replied that the $4.2 million estimate covers moving three structures (the former children’s museum, Singing Pines, the Rick Katz House and the Rickards House) and that staff is evaluating whether all three must be relocated or can remain on the campus.

Next steps: staff said it will respond to public questions during the council meeting the following evening and that the CRA presentation and related details will be available at upcoming budget and CRA meetings.