master plan update - City of Boca Raton

SECTION DQUARTERSquartersSuccessful Downtowns are collections ofa wide variety of places and addresses. Aproblem for most new development isthat it tends to be uniform in characterand scale. In Downtown Boca Raton,the design guidelines have tended toreinforce this pattern. Therefore, theMaster Plan Update calls for a series ofquarters with different character, rangeof uses, and even scale.MIZNER PARKThis garden-like public space, lined witharcaded shops, is an unusual urban spacefor an American city. It is most like thegardens of the Palais Royal in Paris(as illustrated at right). Mizner Park isnearly complete, but needs to be furtherdeveloped at both ends and have betteredges along Federal Highway. Thisquarter should include development onthe west side of Federal Highway. Itsnorthern edge should create a gatewayto Downtown.SANBORN SQUARE QUARTERThis area should be diverse with a mixof old and new, small and large buildings,filled with eclectic uses. The smallscale of public spaces within the quartershould create a contrast with the grandeurof Mizner Park and with largerbuildings on its perimeter.PLAZA REAL SOUTHThis is becoming the Downtown MainStreet, especially with the character ofPlaza Real South with larger buildingsthat still provide pedestrian-scale activitiesat ground level.CITY HALL QUARTERWith the advent of a commuter rail terminal,this area can become the futurecore of Downtown and include largerscalebuildings that combine office, residential,and civic uses.PALMETTO PARK EASTThis area has the potential to becomethe Champs Elysees of Boca Raton,with wide, well-landscaped, garden-likepedestrian walks along the street that arelined with residential, restaurant, hotel,and business uses. It terminates in apublic access to the Intracoastal Waterwayand to the bridge to the beach.CAMINO REAL QUARTERThis southern anchor for Downtownincludes the beautifully landscaped corridoreast of Federal Highway and a mixof less well coordinated streetscapes. It ismore a collection of individual destinationsthan a single quarter.Overall Quarters PlanView of improvement to Plaza Real SouthPalais Royal in Paris44