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Residents press council on downtown government‑campus plan and demand recreation replacements; staff schedules charrettes
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the council to preserve downtown recreation — tennis courts, ball fields and the skate park — and raised traffic and displacement concerns about the proposed government‑campus redevelopment. Staff said two design charrettes and additional online outreach are planned and that plans and financial terms are posted on the city's website.
Dozens of residents turned out April 8 to press the City Council for more information and protections around the proposed downtown government‑campus redevelopment.
Longtime resident Stuart Thorn told council the scale of a proposed 9‑ or 10‑acre redevelopment would require acquiring many single‑family homes and impose a replacement‑cost burden on residents. "I assess that value as the replacement cost of the existing facility," Thorn said, urging mechanisms to share value back to residents.
Other public commenters raised traffic and quality‑of‑life concerns on Palmetto Park Road and East Boca. Holly Schuttler said daily traffic is "beyond the breaking point" and objected to a proposal she said could add 1,100 residential units and a hotel near Palmetto Park Road, removing tennis and recreation amenities downtown.
Several speakers including Judy Morrow and Michael Manko asked the city to preserve or replace downtown tennis courts, ball fields, the children’s museum and the skate park. "We request that you keep the tennis center, the ball field, the basketball court, the skate park, the shuffleboard court, the children's museum, the community center...we feel it's more important to develop people and relationships than office buildings and retail space," Manko said.
City staff responded that the project remains in an exploratory partnership phase. City Manager Brown and staff described upcoming public engagement: two short design charrettes (one weeknight and one weekend session) and other open‑house events; staff said the results will be posted to the city’s project page and help inform the interim master plan to be issued in mid‑May. "We're going to have a limited amount, maybe a 100 or so, just so we can manage the process," said a staff project lead describing the charrettes, adding staff will explore online opportunities and post drawings and photos from sessions.
On the skate park, staff said the Beach & Park District has expressed interest in locating a replacement facility at North Park and the city reiterated a commitment to replace the downtown skate park as part of redevelopment plans, though funding specifics remain under discussion. Council and staff asked Parks and Recreation and the Community Appearance Panel to assist and to report back on options and funding scenarios this summer.
Staff also directed residents to the project’s online portal (myboca.us) where plans, submissions and proposed financial terms are posted for transparency.
Next steps: Staff will hold charrettes and additional outreach in April–May, post materials online, and follow up with advisory boards and the Beach & Park District to develop funding and site options for replacement recreation facilities.
