The LiveWorkLearnPlay team worked closely with the Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee (DAC) and other key community stakeholders to develop a vision and plan that helps to realize the potential of the Downtown as a social and economic commercial heart for the City.

THE PLACE

Despite its renowned history as a “resort town” and the location of the notable Mizner Park mixed-use development, the City of Boca Raton has experienced the effects of a high-end commercial shopping mall as well as big-box commercial located on the immediate outskirts of the City (and adjacent to the growing population living in master-planned communities). In order to extend the urban vitality of Downtown Boca Raton, the City of Boca Raton initiated an update to their downtown master plan. The master plan seeks to connect downtown to the larger Boca community through multiple modes of transportation, including tri-rail, bus, trolley, and a recreational trail system.

OUR FOCUS

Working collaboratively with the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee and an interdisciplinary consultant team, LiveWorkLearnPlay led the mixed-use commercial analysis and positioning of the Downtown master plan in 2007. Key outcomes include the planning and programming of five distinct and synergistic sub-neighborhoods Downtown to revive it with iconic and viable commercial uses. The mixed-use commercial planning also focused on strengthening connections to the City’s waterfront, and developing vital recreation-based assets.

WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

• Developed an implementable mixed-use commercial plan for Downtown that is being utilized to inspire and guide public and private redevelopment projects in Downtown
• Provided the City of Boca Raton with a development framework to assess whether to approve individual development projects
• Conducted primary market research by holding focus groups with commercial businesses, community leaders and other key stakeholders
• Concluded a demand-based commercial market study and economic analysis
• Developed a Downtown mixed-use vision and supporting themes for its’ sub-neighborhoods to reposition Downtown into a vibrant center that attracts a local and regional customer base