master plan update - City of Boca Raton
master plan update - City of Boca Raton
master plan update - City of Boca Raton
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SECTION EINITIATIVESINITIATIVE 3:CITY HALL QUARTERThe <strong>City</strong> Hall Quarter is not currentlyperceived to be an integral part<strong>of</strong> Downtown. The combined barriers<strong>of</strong> the FEC Railroad line, Dixie Highway,Federal Highway, and the types <strong>of</strong>buildings and uses along the tracks makeit difficult to perceive this area as part <strong>of</strong>Downtown.However, the area has great potentialas an important quarter. Currentproposals include a new library andDowntown parking facility, as illustratedin the Phase 1 diagram. The <strong>plan</strong> suggestsrelocating NW First Avenue to thewest to provide a landscaped buffer andpotential parking area along the FECTracks.The anticipated commuter rail stationwill be located in this area. It shouldbe conceived as an inter-modal facilityand be located south <strong>of</strong> the new librarysite along the relocated street. This areawill then be an ideal location for intenseTransit-Oriented Development. Furthermore,there is a large amount <strong>of</strong><strong>City</strong>-owned land, which means thatdevelopment can be accomplished in amore cost-effective way than elsewherein Downtown. This could be an opportunityto provide a wide range <strong>of</strong> moreaffordable housing since land cost is one<strong>of</strong> the obstacles to such development.The long-term goal is to have afull range <strong>of</strong> uses in the area includingmixed-income residential, <strong>of</strong>fice, civic,retail, and recreational uses. The scale<strong>of</strong> the tracks and Dixie Highway couldbe improved with large-scale buildings.Investment in the area could bringmuch-needed street improvements.There are two key initiatives to beginthis process: The first is to improvepedestrian crossings at Federal andboth Second Street and Palmetto ParkRoad. The second is the new library andPhase 1 Phase 2NW <strong>Boca</strong> <strong>Raton</strong> RoadPalmetto Park RoadDixie HighwayIllustrative <strong>plan</strong> showing the phasing and final <strong>plan</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong> Hall QuarterFederal Highway60