Despite significant opposition from local residents, Boca Raton officials have stated they will continue negotiations with Terra and Frisbie Group for a proposed large-scale development on approximately 31 acres of public land. The plan, which has drawn concern over the potential loss of recreational facilities and questions about financial terms, was discussed at a city council meeting Tuesday.
John Pearlman, founder of the grassroots group Save Boca, announced that volunteers collected 5,200 signatures for an initiative ordinance requiring a voter referendum before any sale or lease of city-owned land larger than half an acre. Under 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.
Many residents argued that voters should decide on whether to proceed with a proposed 99-year lease between Boca Raton and the Terra-Frisbie joint venture. The development would cover public land including Memorial Park. More than 30 people attended in opposition, many wearing Save Boca t-shirts.
Mayor Scott Singer acknowledged that a final deal may not be reached by October as initially planned but said discussions should continue. He noted there are also supporters in the community who were not present at the meeting.
“I think we are getting close to evaluating a plan that makes sense financially,” Singer said. “That we should just stop tonight, that is not giving an option.”
The interim plan approved by the council in June allows developer David Martin’s Terra and Palm Beach-based Frisbie Group to build up to 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, developers would pay $5.1 million annually in rent plus an upfront payment of $10 million; details remain under negotiation.
Frisbie Group co-principal Rob Frisbie Jr. said: “The project would generate $3 billion in revenue over the next century.” He added: “The net present value of the revenue from the 99-year lease is more than $350 million,” enough to fund infrastructure improvements and public amenities on aging public land.
Plans include building new mini-parks as well as constructing new municipal buildings such as a community center and police substation. City officials say existing facilities like city hall and its community center are outdated or deteriorating.
However, many residents objected to removing recreational spaces at Memorial Park dedicated since World War II veterans’ era—including baseball fields and courts—as well as Tim Huxhold Skate & Shuffle Board Park nearby. Replacement facilities would be built at other parks further away: tennis courts at Meadows Park (about two miles), baseball fields at Sugar Sand Park (three miles), and a new skatepark at North Park (four miles).
Council Member Andy Thomson opposed the project citing concerns over size, traffic impact and loss of recreation space; he also pointed out an independent audit will not be completed until late September. He argued for delaying or putting it to referendum: “The increasing number of residents speaking out [against this project] reflect in my view an erosion of trust. They don’t trust this process.”
Mayor Singer emphasized no final decision has been made on whether or how to proceed with negotiations; either side could still withdraw from talks if needed.
Interest from developers continues throughout Boca Raton’s downtown area—where other major projects have recently gained approval—and elsewhere in Palm Beach County where Terra and Frisbie have purchased additional sites for future developments.
