By Margie Plunkett
Boca Raton is looking for public suggestions as well as letters of interest from potential developers on uses for the Wildflower property, a vacant piece of waterfront land the city bought for $7.5 million in 2009.
“This is a premier space and we really have to consider seriously what we’d like to do,” said council member Michael Mullaugh at a workshop meeting last month.
The 2-acre property, on the Intracoastal Waterway on the north side of Palmetto Park Road, is the former site of the Wildflower restaurant, which the city purchased with the intent to improve so that it fits with the city’s “vision of a vibrant active waterfront destination.” The city is seeking a use, including a public-private partnership, that will attract residents to it and the adjacent downtown area.
The intent is to keep the waterfront open to the public, demonstrate a connection to Silver Palm Park, have a pedestrian orientation and stand financially on its own, according to Deputy City Manager George Brown.
“This is a once-in-a-city’s-lifetime opportunity to address what we want to do on our waterfront,” said council member Anthony Majhess, suggesting a charrette to collect thoughts on the future of the Wildflower site. “It’s a piece of land that can be used for other than bathing suit type recreation.”
He said he has concerns on improvements like a restaurant, which the city’s received an email about, and an expanded boat ramp.”
“I would be supportive of something that is revenue producing, like a restaurant,” Councilmember Susan Haynie said.
Mayor Susan Whelchel talked about the possibility of waterfront restaurant activities as an opportunity to enjoy with family and friends. To succeed, she said, the Wildflower use has to be a very strong revenue opportunity — which could lead to the purchase of additional properties to achieve a promenade.
The city is accepting letters of interest from anyone proposing to develop the Wildflower site. Both can be submitted by Aug. 31 via a link on Boca Raton’s website — www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/wildflower/. A public meeting will be set as early as September. Ú
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