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Residents urge pedestrian‑first redesign of East Palmetto Park Road and ask to join downtown planning
Summary
Public commenters asked the CRA to prioritize pedestrians on East Palmetto Park Road, cited safety statistics and surveys, and requested inclusion of citizen group Workshop 344 in downtown planning and clarity on TIF reinvestment and Vision Zero grant spending.
During public comment at the Feb. 10 Boca Raton CRA meeting, several residents pressed for a pedestrian‑first approach to East Palmetto Park Road and asked to participate in downtown planning.
Juan Caicedo (public commenter) introduced a short placemaking video tied to "Workshop 344" volunteer efforts and said the group wants to be invited to future planning. Andrea Laveen O'Rourke, a Boca Raton resident since 1979 and a former elected official, asked how $10,000,000 a year in TIF dollars (for 18 years) will be reinvested in downtown and how the $4,000,000 Vision Zero grant will be directed. O'Rourke requested that Workshop 344 be included in planning processes moving forward.
"As volunteers we have worked very hard to get to this point ... We are not sure why you wouldn't champion our community participation and involvement," O'Rourke said, asking staff and the board to explain reinvestment plans and grant direction.
Les Wilson cited a community survey showing that 61 percent (±5) of Boca residents favor shared‑use paths on both sides of Palmetto Park Road and recommended ambitious connections, including quick‑build crosswalks or an elevated pedestrian crossing to anchor downtown and government campus connectivity.
Keith Nelson also asked about timing for the East Palmetto Park crosswalk and the downtown circulator to the Barrier Island, and suggested honoring early city pioneers in the downtown campus plans.
Staff responded that Mr. Brown and the chair will follow up with O'Rourke about TIF reinvestment and Vision Zero specifics and that the crosswalk concept is in the permitting process with Palm Beach County.
Public comment closed with the board thanking speakers and noting staff would return with more specifics where available.
