Why are most people in Boca against development? (Miami, Tampa: real estate, house)

[HJBlume]

I'm in my 30s and have lived in Boca nearly my entire life. Over the last few years I've finally seen the downtown begin to develop. We've also been fortunate to get a medical school at FAU and to have several large companies move to Boca.

I think it's great. I'm excited that a real walkable downtown is beginning to form and I'm excited to see my city grow.

When I see Facebook posts touting new development, the comments are almost always exclusively negative -- "too much development!" or "too much traffic!" or, of course, the ultimate exaggeration "Boca is becoming the next Miami!" They also assert that development "ruined downtown." What?!

Why does it seem like everyone except me is against growth? Why doesn't anyone else seem to want a real, vibrant downtown and a growing economy? I've even seen people complain about the medical school!

[cfbs2691]

You answered your question in your own post.

[HJBlume]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

You answered your question in your own post.

Not really -- those assertions make no sense. Putting a few 8-10 story mixed use buildings downtown doesn't make it brickell. It makes it a real downtown.

Would most people in Boca really prefer to forego good jobs, the benefits of a medical school, and the development of amenities that attract young families and professionals so they can have slightly less cars on the road? I just don't understand it.

[City Guy997S]

Boca was a sleepy town 30 years ago (I moved there in 1984). What it has morphed into is gross. Sure expanding FAU is fine, football stadium great but the downtown high rises and 47 Italian restaurants is overkill. The fact that one guy essentially owns all of downtown (Investments Limited, black/yellow signs) is going to push development towards the biggest buildings per square ft he can get away with. As far as traffic, if you add more sq footage of offices/residences and Palmetto Park is still 4 lanes total from the beach to just about I-95 then you are going to have a major traffic headache. US1 is still 4 lanes from Camino to Glades and is going to have the same problem. The brightline trains will hurt the traffic flow even more.

That "glut" of development will eventually cause the prices of retail rents to levels of $200 mens haircuts and $85 chicken parmigian! Once that happens, the vacancy signs will soon help reduce traffic.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

Boca was a sleepy town 30 years ago (I moved there in 1984). What it has morphed into is gross. Sure expanding FAU is fine, football stadium great but the downtown high rises and 47 Italian restaurants is overkill. The fact that one guy essentially owns all of downtown (Investments Limited, black/yellow signs) is going to push development towards the biggest buildings per square ft he can get away with. As far as traffic, if you add more sq footage of offices/residences and Palmetto Park is still 4 lanes total from the beach to just about I-95 then you are going to have a major traffic headache. US1 is still 4 lanes from Camino to Glades and is going to have the same problem. The brightline trains will hurt the traffic flow even more.

That "glut" of development will eventually cause the prices of retail rents to levels of $200 mens haircuts and $85 chicken parmigian! Once that happens, the vacancy signs will soon help reduce traffic.

Great post!

[ndcairngorm]

This will sound like a stupid question, but where is this new walkable downtown? I don't know Boca very well and would like to check it out. Is it near the beach or near Military Road?

[Ink800]

Originally Posted by ndcairngorm

This will sound like a stupid question, but where is this new walkable downtown? I don't know Boca very well and would like to check it out. Is it near the beach or near Military Road?

The area is centered around Mizner Park. Basically, the area around Federal Highway starting just south of Glades and running to Camino.

[ndcairngorm]

Thanks!

[ByeByeLW]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

Boca was a sleepy town 30 years ago (I moved there in 1984). What it has morphed into is gross. Sure expanding FAU is fine, football stadium great but the downtown high rises and 47 Italian restaurants is overkill. The fact that one guy essentially owns all of downtown (Investments Limited, black/yellow signs) is going to push development towards the biggest buildings per square ft he can get away with. As far as traffic, if you add more sq footage of offices/residences and Palmetto Park is still 4 lanes total from the beach to just about I-95 then you are going to have a major traffic headache. US1 is still 4 lanes from Camino to Glades and is going to have the same problem. The brightline trains will hurt the traffic flow even more.

That "glut" of development will eventually cause the prices of retail rents to levels of $200 mens haircuts and $85 chicken parmigian! Once that happens, the vacancy signs will soon help reduce traffic.

I love your “47 Italian restaurants “ comment.

It’s like Delray- fine if you want to go out to eat.

This area is kind of odd. If it were crowded in a different way, it would be fine.

It’s great to have a medical school, etc. I guess what I don’t understand is the hype that places like Delray and Boca have about being hotbeds of creativity and uniqueness.

It’s okay for spectating, but unless you’re retired and take classes at Old School Square or the Boca Museum.
I’ll probably get flack for whatever I say, so...

Tampa, St Pete, Sarasota, and many other Florida cities have so much more to offer in terms of a creative community.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by ByeByeLW

I love your “47 Italian restaurants “ comment.

It’s like Delray- fine if you want to go out to eat.

This area is kind of odd. If it were crowded in a different way, it would be fine.

It’s great to have a medical school, etc. I guess what I don’t understand is the hype that places like Delray and Boca have about being hotbeds of creativity and uniqueness.

It’s okay for spectating, but unless you’re retired and take classes at Old School Square or the Boca Museum.
I’ll probably get flack for whatever I say, so...

Tampa, St Pete, Sarasota, and many other Florida cities have so much more to offer in terms of a creative community.

Boca runs through restaurants like Trump runs through White House staffers! Its not because they aren't good chefs but the costs are simply too high to operate successfully over a long period of time. Rents on Palmetto Park road have to be 10,000-20,000 a month, in Mizner a good sized restaurant has to be $30,000+ a month. If you need $1000 a day just to cover rent, how can you make any money on $10 pizzas or even $20 entrees?

Delray has the same issue. One of my favorite restaurants is closing this year (32 East). Guy sold his building for millions, so why work if you can cash out on the real estate! An Italian chain restaurant is moving into that location.

Lake Worth might be your creative, inexpensive spot!