Boca Raton residents are heading to the polls on March 10th to vote on a high-stakes referendum that could drastically reshape the city's downtown. The proposed "One Boca" project has been the subject of intense debate and controversy for over a year, with supporters touting it as a smart public-private partnership and critics warning it's a risky gamble with taxpayer money.
What is the One Boca Project?
In a nutshell, One Boca is a $4 billion plan to redevelop the city's aging government campus. Under the proposal, developers Terra and Frisbie Group would lease 7.8 acres of city-owned land for 99 years and build a mixed-use complex featuring a boutique hotel, grocery store, 765 residential units, and over 100,000 square feet of commercial space. In exchange, the developers would construct a new city hall, police station, and community center for the city.
A Flashpoint for Controversy
The One Boca project has been a lightning rod for debate since it was first unveiled in 2025. While city officials have largely backed the plan, citing the need to modernize aging civic facilities, a vocal group of residents under the "Save Boca" banner have fiercely opposed it. Critics argue the project is too dense and that the city is taking an unacceptable financial risk by relying on future lease revenue to pay for new infrastructure.
What's at Stake for Boca Raton?
The outcome of the March 10th referendum will have far-reaching implications for Boca Raton. A "yes" vote would greenlight the One Boca project, unlocking hundreds of millions in private investment to revitalize the downtown area. But it would also commit the city to a long-term lease agreement and tie its financial fortunes to the project's success. A "no" vote, on the other hand, would force the city to find another way to fund new civic facilities, potentially tapping into its own reserves or raising taxes.
As WFLX reports, the debate has intensified in recent months, with both sides mobilizing supporters and accusing the other of ulterior motives. Ultimately, the decision will rest with Boca Raton's residents, who must weigh the potential benefits and risks of the One Boca project before casting their ballots.