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3 weeks ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
By Mary HladkyMoving on an accelerated timeline, the Boca Raton City Council has approved an interim agreement with Terra and Frisbie Group that allows the joint venture to refine its conceptual plans for redeveloping the 30-acre downtown government campus. At the same time, Terra/Frisbie and the city will assess whether the project is financially viable and if the proposed public-private partnership between them is in the best interests of the city.
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1 month ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
Tour participants take in the grandeur of the Cloister Inn, part of The Boca Raton resort. The 100-room inn, which opened Feb. 5, 1926, was designed and owned by renowned architect Addison Mizner. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal StarBy Mary HladkyThe Cloister Inn likely tops the must-see lists of history and architecture enthusiasts visiting Boca Raton. Opened on Feb.
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1 month ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
The new BocaConnect area (in green) provides people on the barrier island access to downtown (red) and from there to within the existing service area (blue). Rendering providedBy Mary HladkyBocaConnect, the electric vehicle shuttle service operated by Circuit Transit, has expanded to the barrier island. Boca Raton City Council members approved the enlarged service area on Feb. 11, and service started on Feb. 24, after barrier island residents pressed them to make the shuttle available to them.
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1 month ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
Conceptual ideas for a redesigned East Palmetto Park Road call for a reduction to two travel lanes that could become three to allow for emergency vehicles and evacuations, wide sidewalks and crosswalks, and many shade trees. By Mary HladkyRendering providedAlthough they have been rebuffed so far in their effort to be part of planning to transform East Palmetto Park Road into an iconic Main Street, members of Workshop 344+ are not giving up.
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2 months ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
The Boca Raton City Council gave top ranking to a joint venture of Coconut Grove-based Terra and the Frisbie Group of Palm Beach, which included the largest amount of green space of the four submitted proposals. Above is one image of what the joint venture said its project could look like.
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2 months ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
The Center for Arts and Innovation was intended to replace Mizner Park's amphitheater and surrounding area, but the deal died last month after a fundraising shortfall came to light. The center's organizers said they would analyze alternate sites. Rendering providedBy Mary HladkyWhen construction of a Boca Raton performing arts center was proposed in 2018, it seemed manifest destiny - exactly what the city needed to cement its status as a growing, culture-rich, economically strong place.
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2 months ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
'Reflections of Time,' a sculpture welcoming people to Sanborn Square, is evidence that Boca Raton's centennial celebration is underway. Larry Barszewski/The Coastal StarBy Mary HladkyBoca Raton's centennial year has begun, and the city celebration has moved into high gear. Of course, a celebration can't exist these days without a website, and Boca Raton's official centennial site created by marketing consultant Merit Mile has gone live.
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2 months ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
Irvin Lippman stands in the Ohnell Sculpture Garden, one of the improvements to the Boca Raton Museum of Art during his decade as executive director. The sculpture is 'Music Power II,' a 2002 bronze by artist Arman. Tim Stepien/The Coastal StarBy Mary HladkyThe Boca Raton Museum of Art needed a new executive director, but Jody Harrison Grass was uncertain how to find the best person for the position.
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2 months ago | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
Via Mizner apartments (right) will continue to operate during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for the owner, an affiliate of Penn-Florida. The apartments are the only completed building in this rendering of a finished complex. Still under construction are the Mandarin Oriental branded residences (left) and hotel (center). Rendering providedBy Mary HladkyAn affiliate of Penn-Florida Companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan.
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Jan 8, 2025 | 
thecoastalstar.com | Mary Hladky
The Center for Arts and Innovation had planned to replace Mizner Park's existing amphitheater and surrounding area with a performing arts complex, but it was not able to live up to the fundraising commitments it had made with Boca Raton to be able to use the city-owned property. Rendering providedBy Mary HladkyThe Center for Arts and Innovation has terminated its deal with Boca Raton that would have brought a multi-million dollar performing arts complex to Mizner Park.
