Boca Raton Voters Reject 'One Boca' Redevelopment Plan

City leaders now debate the future of the city-owned land after the controversial proposal was voted down.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:33pm

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Boca Raton voters have rejected the 'One Boca' redevelopment plan that would have transformed city-owned land in downtown Boca Raton into apartments, retail space, and new government buildings. The vote sparked celebration among some residents who wanted to keep the land in public hands, while others were disappointed by the outcome. City leaders say new civic buildings could still be constructed on the site, and the priority now is determining a new vision that involves community input.

Why it matters

The rejected 'One Boca' plan represented a larger debate about the future development of Boca Raton, with some residents wanting to preserve the city's character and green spaces, while others were open to more dense, urban-style growth. The vote outcome will shape the city's path forward as it determines how to best utilize the valuable city-owned land.

The details

The 'One Boca' plan was a controversial proposal that would have transformed city-owned land in downtown Boca Raton. The plan called for the construction of apartments, retail space, and new government buildings. However, the plan faced significant opposition from residents who wanted to keep the land in public hands. Newly elected council member Jon Pearlman, the founder of the 'Save Boca' group, said voters sent a clear message that they want the entire space to be used for civic buildings and public uses, not private development.

  • On Tuesday, Boca Raton voters rejected the 'One Boca' redevelopment plan.

The players

Judy Murrow

A Boca Raton resident who celebrated the rejection of the 'One Boca' plan, saying 'We wanted to save our public land for the public.'

Jon Pearlman

The newly elected Boca Raton council member and founder of the 'Save Boca' group, who said the vote represented a clear message from voters that they want the city-owned land to be used for civic buildings and public uses, not private development.

Andy Thomson

A Boca Raton mayoral candidate who said the city has the financial means to rebuild its city hall and community center without having to give away public land to a developer.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to save our public land for the public.”

— Judy Murrow

“We're going to utilize this entire space for civic buildings, for civic uses, not for private development.”

— Jon Pearlman, Newly elected council member

“The city has the funds… to rebuild our city hall and our community center without having to give away acres of public land to a developer.”

— Andy Thomson, Mayoral candidate

What’s next

City leaders say the next step will be determining a new vision for the city-owned land, one that involves community input.

The takeaway

The rejection of the 'One Boca' plan represents a larger debate in Boca Raton about the city's future development and the preservation of public spaces. The outcome will shape how the city moves forward in utilizing the valuable city-owned land, with a focus on incorporating more community input into the process.