How big is Boca Raton thinking when it comes to redeveloping the area around City Hall?
About $2 billion big.
On the agenda for tonight’s city council meeting is approval of a contract with the real estate services firm CBRE. The company would analyze proposals for those roughly 30 acres and help the city draw up a Master Development Agreement with the winning bidder.
The version of the contract on the agenda as of Monday would pay CBRE $20,000 per month, starting in January. The company would receive $375,000 from the chosen developer after approval of the agreement and a “success fee,” based on the estimated cost of the project.
According to the accompanying memo from City Manager George Brown, the fee schedule could bring CBRE $3.1 million on a $1.9 billion project. The mere mention of that number underscores Brown’s comment that transformation of that area is the city’s “highest-rated strategic project.”
Brown understates greatly when he calls the plan “complex.” It will mean crafting an agreement under which the developer builds a new city hall and community center and creates new public spaces in return for adding housing, retail, office and possibly a hotel.
The goal, Brown said, is “development of a vibrant civic center with a sense of place that engenders a feeling of community while encouraging residents and visitors alike to visit downtown Boca Raton.”
He added:
“Capitalizing on the Brightline Station location, the project will create a pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment that connects people to a mixture of employment, businesses and living opportunities. The project will be impactful in terms of the long-term influence on community character, the city’s ability to deliver services and it’s (sic) financial condition.”
When a previous city council hired a consultant to examine redevelopment of the downtown “campus,” the public cost was prohibitive. This time, the approach is a public-partnership, known as a P3. State law sets out rules for such deals. The goal is for the city to get a newer, larger city hall and community center at no public cost while creating a downtown destination.
Success fees can be problematic. Given that the city would delegate much of the negotiating to CBRE, the company would have a financial incentive to push for the most expensive project. Council members might want to discuss this.
The city has received two unsolicited proposals. Neither estimated a cost. The council since has decided to seek more bidders. I’ll have more after the meeting.
Boca Council hopes to move quickly toward an agreement for downtown campus
During Monday’s workshop meeting, council members reiterated their wish to move quickly on what Mayor Scott Singer called this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The council’s goal is to have an interim agreement by May. To speed things along, the council will not require a separate committee to review the proposals. The deadline to submit them is Jan. 9. Brown said the staff prefers a deadline of Dec. 18 for potential bidders to submit questions. In a pinch, Brown said, bidders could ask questions by Dec. 31, to ensure that they could have answers before the submittal deadline.
After the deadline, a “cone of silence” will limit contact between city officials and the bidders. It will not prevent residents from commenting on the proposals.
BRIC gets closer to change in land-use designation
Speaking of transformational projects, another is before the council tonight.
It’s a proposed new land-use category for the former IBM headquarters—now called the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC.) The owner, CP Group, wants to add housing and other elements that current rules prohibit that will enhance the tech hub and allow CP to draw more tenants.
The staff memo said the change would create “a vibrant, mixed-use project” that aligns with the goals in Boca Raton’s comprehensive plan. Because of that land-use change, the city must transmit the proposal to the state for review. The staff recommends transmittal. So did the planning and zoning board in a unanimous vote.
State planners likely will find no issues with the proposal. It will then come back to the council for final approval.
Delray Beach City Hall renovations
Speaking of city halls, the one in Delray Beach is about to undergo renovations.
The process is starting now because last month the human resources department moved from City Hall to the renovated historic train depot just west of Interstate 95 at Atlantic Avenue. Director of Public Works Missie Barletto said the city wants to create “a secure lobby” and “a safe, efficient and equitable work environment” to “satisfy space needs that are not being met.”
City Hall was built in 1961. It underwent a renovation in 1997 that included storm hardening. In an email to City Manager Terrence Moore, Barletto said the building has enough space “for the next 10 to 15 years.” At that point, officials “will be able to evaluate” whether Delray Beach needs a new city hall. For now, the city will move some staffers into the adjoining community center.
Status check scheduled for Boca double murder case
Last week, a status check was scheduled for April 21 in the case of the man accused of killing two people and trying to kill a third at an oceanfront hotel in Boca Raton.
DeVante Moss had faced two charges of first-degree murder and one charge of attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors have added a charge of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. There are no new filings to provide details on events leading up to the shootings.
Teams announced for this year’s Boca Raton Bowl
Coincidentally, with the hiring of Zach Kittley as Florida Atlantic University’s head football coach, this year’s Boca Raton Bowl will match Western Kentucky and James Madison University.
Kittley worked previously as Western Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, creating the sort of “high-octane” offense he promised last week to replicate at FAU. This year’s Hilltoppers went 8-5, tied for second in Conference USA. James Madison finished 8-4, tied for third in the Sun Belt Conference.
The game still does not have a corporate sponsor. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at FAU Stadium.
Boca to discuss approval of PGA Champions Tour sponsorship agreement
Speaking of local sports, also on tonight’s council agenda is approval of a three-year sponsorship agreement for the PGA Champions Tour—formerly known as the Senior Tour—event at The Old Course at Broken Sound.
The city would spend $375,000 annually on marketing. In return, Boca Raton would get seven, 30-second ads on The Golf Channel telecast. The event, set for March 31 through April 6, will be the 17th in the city.
Vald Svekis, one of Mizner Park’s first tenants, dies
Vald Svekis, who made Liberties Fine Books & Music a big draw in Mizner Park, died last month at 83.
The store was one of Mizner Park’s first tenants, opening in 1991 next to the AMC Theater that is now iPic. As an obituary noted, the store became “a cultural icon.” It hosted former Vice President Dan Quayle and feminist Gloria Steinem. Madonna’s “Sex” was available for reading/viewing in a “peep room” for $1 per minute, with the money going to AIDS research.
Svekis, a native of Latvia, worked for the Paperback Booksmith chain before becoming an independent retailer. He sold Liberties in 1994 and moved to Sarasota.
