City Action Stalls Plans, Forces Lawsuit
UPDATE: Midtown Boca’s revitalization from an outdated, commercial-only district to a lively, walkable, live, work, play area is in jeopardy. Though the City called for Midtown’s transformation in its own 2010 Comprehensive plan, Midtown landowners are unable to submit plans until the City adopts the long overdue, updated land use regulations for the area. Continued delays by certain politically motivated City Council members have forced landowners to preserve their rights by pursuing relief in the courts, which puts the taxpayers at risk for $137 million in damages and could potentially cost the City millions of dollars in lost infrastructure and impact fees as well as millions in annual tax revenue. Learn more here or in our FAQs.
What is Midtown Boca?
The vision for Midtown Boca is simple: To create a convenient, walkable neighborhood that weaves together a mix of housing, dining, shopping and entertainment – with plenty of transportation options.
It’s a timely, needed transformation for a blighted and outdated, 30-year-old commercial-only district. Today, the area’s office buildings are desolate at night, shopping areas are surrounded by acres and acres of pavement and sidewalks simply don’t exist. In its place, Midtown Boca brings a vibrant, lively new hub of city life – a community within the community…a village.
Midtown Boca has already been reduced in size. Two of the four landowners have opted out of the area-wide land development regulations that the City has been promoting for over eight years. They are opting either to pursue a new retail configuration, as is the case with the Sears parcel at Town Center Mall, or a new “as of right” commercial-only project, which is what the owner of Glades Plaza is doing.
Today, Midtown Boca is focused on 74 core acres along Military Trail and Town Center Road – properties primarily owned by Crocker Partners and Cypress Realty. Well designed, this core can still deliver the benefits and infrastructure of the larger planned mobility district.
Why Now?
There’s good reason for a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development (TOD) approach to revitalizing the area. Companies today look to locate where employees can not only work but can live and play nearby. People of all ages want new, high-quality residential rental choices where they can walk, bike, hop a shuttle or be close to work and entertainment.
For the city and adjacent neighbors, Midtown Boca’s approach can take cars off congested roads, smooth peak hour traffic, increase surrounding property values and bring private investment for infrastructure improvements – from sidewalks to streetscapes and public spaces.
