By Mary Hladky
Supporters of a proposed $121 million performing arts complex at Mizner Park have stepped up the pressure on the city to move quickly to hammer out a deal.
Speaking at the March 22 Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, nearly a dozen supporters urged the City Council to cut red tape and avoid delays.
“Do all you can to move this project forward,” said Trish Ramudo.
“I’d really like to see this thing happen,” said Shaw McCutcheon.
McCutcheon and others voiced concerns about possible delays caused by City Council support for plans to hire a consultant to advise the city as it negotiates leasing city-owned land at Mizner Park with the Boca Raton Arts District Exploratory Corp.
Those concerns first surfaced in February when council members unanimously agreed to hire a consultant to protect the city’s interests. Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke and council member Monica Mayotte said they didn’t want the process of hiring one to cause delays.
City staff intended to have the consultant on board before it issued a legally required public notice that it plans to dispose of land for use as a performance venue and invites proposals on use of the land. The consultant would have drafted the notice.
But BRADEC and its supporters thought that would slow down momentum to get a deal done.
BRADEC said a consultant is not needed to draft the notice, and urged the City Council to do so quickly. Separately, staff could hire the consultant to advise on the land lease terms.
Four council members — O’Rourke, Mayotte, Andy Thomson and Yvette Drucker — agreed this would avoid delays. Mayor Scott Singer voiced no objection.
City Manager Leif Ahnell and City Attorney Diana Grub Frieser said their intent was to issue a notice that clearly states what should be included in the proposals. Without that, the submissions might lack key information, causing time delays later on.
But pressed by council members, Ahnell said staff would prepare a notice that generally states the city is planning to dispose of property to be used as a performance venue. The notice could be issued that week, Ahnell said. Proposals are due within 30 days of the notification being published in The Palm Beach Post.
Queried on the status of hiring a consultant, Ahnell said staff has acted quickly. Three have applied and a final selection would be made that week. The consultant’s contract would be negotiated by April 2 and then the consultant would immediately begin work.
The proposed Boca Raton Center for Arts and Innovation would completely renovate the existing 3,500-seat Mizner Park amphitheater and add indoor and outdoor performing arts spaces, a rooftop terrace and more parking.
It would be financed by donations from cultural arts supporters and corporations that have long wanted such a facility in the city. Ú
Comments