master plan update - City of Boca Raton

A NEW GREEN NETWORKBy systematically improving sidewalks,streetscapes, pedestrian crossings, andpublic open space, it is possible to createan interconnected network that willencourage people to use the whole ofDowntown instead of one isolated destinationat a time.THE GREEN NETWORK ANDTHE STREET PATTERNThe basis of this network is already inplace. It can be extended in some areaswithout conflicts with key vehicularroutes. The most critical points are thosein which the pedestrian network crossesmajor arterials or runs along them.Key areas include Federal Highway,NE and NW Second Street, PalmettoPark Road, Boca Raton Boulevard, andMizner Boulevard.A COLLECTION OFQUARTERSThe green network makes it possible toreinforce the existing destinations andanchors as well as to connect them. Italso provides a framework for additionaldevelopment around and between thoseanchors. Because the various areas withinDowntown have different charactersand uses, we recommend that definedareas be established within Downtown,each with its own character and mix ofuses. These areas could be thought ofas neighborhoods or ‘Quarters,’ suchas the Mizner Park Quarter, The SanbornSquare Quarter, etc. Within eachQuarter there should be a mix of usesincluding residential, office, cultural,retail, civic, and entertainment, but thebalance of uses, scale of buildings, andcharacter of public open space would bedifferent.15