Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – January 20, 2026: Downtown Campus Redevelopment Ordinance Approved
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Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – January 20, 2026
On January 20, 2026, the Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting lasting from 10:01 a.m. to approximately 4:15 p.m. The primary focus was the consideration of Ordinance No. 5769, which authorizes a public-private partnership (P3) with Terra Frisbee (via Boca Raton City Center, LLC) for the redevelopment of the downtown government campus. The council also approved a consent agenda, heard public requests on various topics, and introduced two ordinances related to comprehensive plan amendments and a new downtown zoning district.
Consent Calendar
- Garbage truck replacements (Nextran Truck Centers, $1,415,722)
- Regenerative street sweeper replacement (Industrial Trucks and Equipment, $266,472)
- Combination jet sewer & vacuum cleaning truck replacement (Nextran Truck Centers, $715,506)
- Copiers and managed print solutions (Toshiba America Business Solutions, $203,480) All items were approved unanimously (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
Over 40 individuals signed up to speak on Ordinance 5769. Key themes included:
- Supporters (residents, veterans, business owners, young professionals) argued the project would modernize city facilities, create workforce housing (77 units at 120% AMI), generate significant long-term revenue ($382 million net present value from operating revenues, $5.5 billion undiscounted), preserve Memorial Park, and enhance downtown vibrancy. Several veterans praised the planned memorial park improvements.
- Opponents (residents, Save Boca members, mayoral candidate Mike Liebelson) raised concerns about the 99-year lease, traffic impacts (citing existing congestion on Palmetto Park Road), financial risk to the city, lack of transparency, and the developer's litigation history (Surfside collapse). Some questioned the appraisal ($99 million) and the city's $201 million contribution to public improvements. Others argued the city could fund its own facilities without a P3.
- Neutral/Procedural speakers (e.g., veteran representatives) focused on ensuring Memorial Park is properly honored, without taking a position on the project.
Discussion Items
Ordinance 5769 – Downtown Campus Redevelopment City Manager Mark Sohaney, Deputy City Manager Andy Lukasik, City Attorney, and PFM consultant Kevin Plensler presented the Master Partnership Agreement (MPA) and related documents. Key provisions:
- 99-year ground lease for 7.8 acres east of NW 2nd Avenue (reduced from 31 acres).
- Developer responsible for design, construction, and maintenance of private development (1.2 million sq. ft. mixed-use).
- City retains fee simple ownership; all improvements revert to city at lease end.
- Revenue streams: base rent, percentage rent (gross revenue participation), participation rent (upside sharing), transfer fees, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), and property taxes.
- PFM updated fiscal impact analysis: net present value of direct revenues $299 million; total operating revenues $382 million; bonding capacity estimated at $127 million (with percentage rent) to $107 million (floor rent) to offset public improvement costs.
- Traffic mitigation: developer to pay up to $4 million in mitigation fees, plus 50% of NW 2nd Avenue improvements, and comply with a new Exhibit L incorporating traffic analysis methodology.
- Workforce housing: 10% of rental units (77 units) at rents affordable to households earning up to 120% of area median income ($111,000 in 2025).
- Council discussion: Members debated the project's financial merits, traffic, and public trust. Councilmember Thompson opposed, citing risk allocation and traffic concerns; others supported the project as a strategic investment.
Public Requests (after the ordinance vote): Several residents spoke about emergency medical access, requesting clarity on a previously approved free-standing emergency room that was later reversed. Others raised concerns about the city's charter compliance regarding the Save Boca ballot initiative and dog access in parks.
Introduction of Ordinances
- Ordinance No. 5770: Comprehensive Plan amendments (evaluation and appraisal review).
- Ordinance No. 5771: Creation of the “Downtown” Zoning District, replacing the DDRI development order. Both were introduced for future public hearings.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 5769 adopted by a vote of 4-1 (Councilmember Thomson dissenting). The ordinance is contingent on a voter referendum on March 10, 2026. If approved by a majority of voters, the agreements will take effect.
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously (5-0).
- Ordinances 5770 and 5771 introduced for further consideration at subsequent meetings.
- The council committed to revisiting board and committee structures at a future workshop.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Please be seated. Welcome to a regular meeting of the Boca Raton City Council. It is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. The time is 1001 a.m. Our first item of business is the invocation which I will deliver. May we be ever thankful for the many blessings we have in our strong, thriving, and vibrant city. Let us give thanks to the many who serve our community and the brave men and women, both at home and abroad, who protect our city, state, nation, and our way of life. May we find the wisdom to govern among conflicting interests and issues, the ability to discern the true needs of the residents of Boca Raton, and the grace to work together in harmony for our great city. Now will everyone please rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ms. Siddons. We please call the roll. Mayor Singer. Here. Deputy Mayor Knackless. Here. Councilmember Drucker. Here. Councilmember Thompson. Thankful to be here. Councilmember Waiktor. Very thankful to be here. All present. Thank you. Do we have any amendments to the agenda? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There are no amendments to the agenda. Thank you. As for the agenda, we don't primarily have one item today. We have no minutes to consider, no proclamations, nor presentations, nor any board appointments, nor any response to workshop information requests, and no resolutions in other business. And we also don't have anything under Item 10, quasi judicial and related public hearings. So we'll return now to regular public hearings, and we'll ask Ms. Siddons to read the title of Ordnance 5769. Ordinance number 5769, an ordinance of the City of Boca Ratone, excuse me, authorizing a transaction between the city, the Boca Ratone Community Redevelopment Agency, and Boca Ratone City Center, LLC, relating to the redevelopment of the downtown campus, providing for a mixed use transit oriented district on city owned property east of Northwest Second Avenue and the improvement of city owned property west of Northwest Second Avenue for the public parks and civic uses, pursuant to Section 163.380 of Florida statutes. And Chapter 13, Article 3, Sale of City Property Code of Ordinances, providing for severality, providing for appealer, providing an effective date. Thank you, Mr. Sohaney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Today the City Council will be considering three key actions related to the downtown campus redevelopment project, the Master Partnership Agreement, the Development Management and Construction Agreement, and a 99 year ground lease. This is an important milestone for the city and for a project of this size and complexity. It's been exciting at times, challenging at others, but always focused on getting this right for Boca Ratone. This truly has been a citywide effort. I want to thank our city staff and advisors for the tremendous amount of work that's gone into this over many months and for approaching it thoughtfully and responsibly every step of the way. I also want to thank the developer for their continued collaboration and willingness to work through a very detailed and rigorous process with the city and our residents. I also want to take a moment to recognize and thank our veterans and veterans organizations who have played an important role in helping shape the Veterans Memorial Park concept.
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