Boca Raton city officials are moving forward with negotiations for a large-scale redevelopment project despite significant public opposition. The proposed development, led by Terra and Frisbie Group, would transform approximately 31 acres of public land into a mixed-use “government campus.”
At a recent city council meeting, John Pearlman, founder of the grassroots group Save Boca, announced that volunteers collected 5,200 signatures to require a voter referendum before any sale or lease of more than half an acre of city-owned land. According to the city code, once these signatures are certified, the council must either approve the ordinance or put it to a special vote within 30 to 60 days.
“The voice of the people is stronger than ever. They’re saying stop this project, they don’t want it,” Pearlman told council members.
The plan under consideration would allow developers David Martin’s Terra and Palm Beach-based Frisbie Group to build 912 residential units, 150 hotel rooms, 350,000 square feet of office space and about 152,000 square feet for retail and restaurants near the Brightline station. In return, Boca Raton would receive $5.1 million in annual rent and an upfront payment of $10 million from the developers. Rob Frisbie Jr., co-principal at Frisbie Group, said that over a century-long lease period the project could generate $3 billion in revenue for the city and argued that its net present value would cover infrastructure improvements dating back decades as well as new public amenities.
Frisbie stated: “That we should just stop tonight, that is not giving an option.”
The redevelopment includes plans for new mini-parks, realigned streets around the downtown campus area, and construction of new civic facilities such as a community center, city hall and police substation. City officials have noted that existing municipal buildings are deteriorating and outdated.
However, many residents voiced concern over losing recreational facilities at Memorial Park—a site dedicated to World War II veterans—including baseball fields and courts for basketball and tennis. The Tim Huxhold Skate & Shuffle Board Park is also slated for removal under current plans. To compensate for these losses, replacement facilities would be built at other parks several miles away.
Council Member Andy Thomson opposed the scale of the project due to concerns about increased traffic and loss of recreation spaces. He emphasized ongoing mistrust among residents regarding the process: “The increasing number of residents speaking out [against this project] reflect in my view an erosion of trust. They don’t trust this process,” Thomson said. He called for either delaying action by six months or putting it up for referendum.
Mayor Scott Singer acknowledged there may not be a finalized deal by October but advocated continued community engagement: “I think we are getting close to evaluating a plan that makes sense financially,” Singer said.
Singer also pointed out that discussions remain open-ended; both sides can withdraw from negotiations if needed.
Interest in Boca Raton development has grown as more affluent individuals move into the region. Other projects recently approved include two hotel towers near Mizner Park by James and Marta Batmasian and a 12-story apartment building on South Dixie Highway by Group P6 and Mill Creek Residential.
Elsewhere in Palm Beach County, Terra and Frisbie purchased land at former racetrack sites with plans for further residential development projects totaling over one thousand units combined. Terra has also secured substantial financing for high-rise developments in Miami-Dade County including condo hotels in West Palm Beach with Sympatico Real Estate after obtaining major loans from Tyko Capital. Additionally, Terra is partnering on projects in Miami’s Edgewater area with One Thousand Group as well as on Watson Island luxury condos with ESJ Capital Partners.
