Residents press CRA for a referendum and preservation of Tennis Center; ask for transparency on contributions

Multiple residents used the public‑comment period at the April 7 CRA meeting to press elected officials on transparency and public participation for downtown projects. Judy Morrow told the board she had collected more than 250 petition signatures asking that the government redevelopment campus be placed on the November 2025 ballot so residents can decide; she also said petition signers largely want to preserve the Boca Raton Tennis Center and existing parks and green space.

Patty Dervish asked the board to provide records showing which developments commissioners voted for, rezoning decisions and campaign contributions from developers, saying many residents perceive the commission as favoring developers over taxpayers. City staff (Mr. Brown) responded that records of votes are available in council minutes and campaign contribution reports can be requested from the city clerk's office.

Andrea Levine O’Rourke, representing Workshop 344 volunteers who have advocated for Palmetto Park Road redesign since 2022, urged the CRA to provide clearer feedback and engagement opportunities, saying community presenters felt they were met with silence. Other commenters urged using Speck as a leading design voice and urged coordination across the downtown and government campus planning processes.

No formal board action on the referendum or tennis center was taken at the meeting; staff said specific items such as 4035 zoning and other related matters will appear on future agendas and that the public would be kept informed via the project website.