Boca Raton Voters Reject Downtown Redevelopment and Police HQ Funding

Residents vote down $175 million bond for new police station and 99-year lease for mixed-use development project.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:21am

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Boca Raton voters decisively rejected two major ballot initiatives in the recent election - a $175 million bond to fund construction of a new police headquarters, as well as a 99-year lease agreement that would have allowed a mixed-use redevelopment project called "One Boca" to move forward on the city's downtown government campus near the Brightline station.

Why it matters

The defeat of these proposals represents a significant setback for the city's development plans, as the police headquarters project and the One Boca redevelopment were seen as key priorities. The results reflect growing resident concerns over issues like increased traffic, encroachment on neighboring suburbs, and a desire for more community input on the use of city-owned land.

The details

The police headquarters bond did not receive a majority of 'yes' votes, while the One Boca redevelopment lease was rejected by nearly 75% of voters. The One Boca project had proposed over 1,100 apartments, 250,000 sq ft of office space, a hotel, 85,000 sq ft of retail, a new community center and city hall. However, a grassroots 'Save Boca' movement had gained momentum, pushing for more resident control over city-owned land.

  • The special election ballot questions were canceled in January 2026 after a judge deemed them unconstitutional.
  • The One Boca redevelopment lease and police headquarters bond were on the general election ballot on March 10, 2026.

The players

Terra

One of the development firms chosen to lead the One Boca redevelopment project.

Frisbie Group

The other development firm chosen to lead the One Boca redevelopment project, with Rob Frisbie as a principal.

Save Boca

A grassroots movement that aimed to give residents more control over the use of city-owned land, including pushing for a referendum on the One Boca project.

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What they’re saying

“While this was not the outcome we had hoped for, we appreciate the community's thoughtful participation and dialogue throughout this process.”

— Terra and Frisbie, Developer groups

“That would be a huge loss to the community.”

— Rob Frisbie, Principal, Frisbie Group

What’s next

The city will now need to regroup and determine a new plan for the police headquarters project, while the One Boca redevelopment has been definitively halted.

The takeaway

Boca Raton residents have sent a clear message that they want more control and input over major development projects in their city, rejecting proposals that were seen as prioritizing commercial interests over community needs and concerns.