CRA hears downtown capital updates; board agrees to study amphitheater improvements

Ruby Riley, downtown manager, updated the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency on a series of downtown capital and maintenance projects and drew support from the board for a study of possible amphitheater improvements.

Riley said staff secured a plumber and will install the first potable water-bottle/dog-fountain station at the north end of Meisner Park adjacent to the amphitheater with a schedule for completion in February. Two additional stations — one south of the main decorative fountain and one near the south end by downtown branded items — will require trenching or jack-and-bore utility work; that work is expected to begin in late March with anticipated completion by November to be least impactful to summer events.

She said staff is researching security-camera installations within the public open area (POA), coordinating with city IT, municipal and recreation departments; installation will require fiber, network access and power, and a walk-through to assess camera counts and locations is planned for February.

Riley also described vandalism the downtown branding has suffered (letters removed from the giant chair; umbrellas cut) and interim repairs; staff has placed cafe furniture on a weekly cleaning schedule and is pursuing more permanent signage solutions. Ongoing projects include paver-marker replacement with added Centennial-branded markers, installation of Centennial banners on Federal Highway in February, research on digital kiosks (license/lease/purchase options), and paver repairs in downtown zones 5, 7 and 8. Resodding of the POA is scheduled to begin in late February with completion in April. Sanborn Square Park recycling bins are expected to be delivered and installed in mid-February.

Commissioners praised BocaFest and thanked staff, police and fire for event operations. Commissioner Reiter asked about Brookfield’s maintenance responsibilities downtown; Riley said there had been no recent update since the holidays and that she would follow up. Several commissioners suggested staff consider converting Boca Connect to a shuttle/trolley during festivals; Mr. Brown said staff will provide a Boca Connect update in February and that he observed substantial ridership during BocaFest.

On the amphitheater, staff recommended issuing an RFP for a theater consultant or architect to evaluate options — from modest functional upgrades to a partial retractable roof and improved backstage facilities — and to perform a feasibility and cost analysis before committing capital funds. Commissioners expressed general support, asked staff to "right-size" cost estimates, and requested the analysis be timed for inclusion in the capital improvement plan and budget discussions.

What happens next: staff to return with a Boca Connect ridership update in February and an RFP scope or recommendation to evaluate amphitheater improvements as part of the CIP process.

Quotes used in this article are drawn from staff presentation and commissioner remarks recorded in the Jan. 27 meeting transcript.