One Boca Defeated at the Ballot Box

Published: March 13th, 2026 | Updated: May 14th, 2026

On March 10th, Boca Raton voters rejected One Boca by a margin of 75% to 25%. The $4 billion redevelopment would have leased 7.8 acres of city-owned land near the Brightline station to developers for 99 years. Now the city has no plan for that land, and a new anti-development council majority is taking over.

Key Takeaways

Referendum Question 2 (One Boca) failed with 74.52% voting against and 25.48% in favor.
Referendum Question 1, a separate $175 million bond for a new police headquarters, also failed with 54.66% voting against.
Save Boca founder Jonathan Pearlman won a City Council seat, and two other Save Boca-endorsed candidates won as well, forming a new council majority.

The One Boca project would have transformed 7.8 acres of city-owned land near the Brightline station into a mixed-use development with 947 residential units, a 180-room boutique hotel, a grocery store, and new civic buildings, including City Hall and a police substation. Terra Group and Frisbie Group were the developers behind the proposal.

As we covered in One Boca vs Save Boca: the $4 billion referendum explained, the battle lines were drawn months ago. Now we know the outcome.

Why did voters reject One Boca?

The Save Boca campaign, founded by Jonathan Pearlman, argued the project would worsen traffic, increase density, and permanently surrender control of publicly owned land near Memorial Park. Critics characterized it as a 99-year giveaway to out-of-town developers.

Supporters, including the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, framed it as a way to modernize aging civic infrastructure without raising taxes directly. That argument did not land.

Pearlman said after the vote: "Together, we proved that a grassroots movement can take on the deep pockets of out-of-town developers and out-of-touch politicians."

As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast, "I was really excited for this project, even if I wanted to protect the banyan trees. But seriously, there's no plan for the next step, and in the meantime, we'll keep having a City Hall that's in bad shape for a great city like Boca."

Thinking about buying or selling in downtown Boca Raton? Understanding how political shifts affect development matters. Talk to a real estate agent in Boca Raton who tracks these changes. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 544-7000.

What happens now with the 7.8 acres near Brightline?

All development progress on the One Boca site ceases. The 7.8 acres near the Brightline station reverts to the city's control with no redevelopment plan in place.

The city must now find an alternative path to address an aging City Hall and the funding gap for public safety facilities. That likely means more modest renovations or smaller-scale proposals.

Mayor Scott Singer, who is leaving office due to term limits, acknowledged the challenge: "The residents have spoken, and together, the city will have to chart a new path to enhance public safety and provide needed upgrades to our aging downtown infrastructure."

The police bond also failed. The city's current police headquarters is no longer hurricane-rated and was built for a much smaller force. That problem remains unsolved.

How does the new City Council change things?

The political landscape in Boca Raton shifted significantly on election night. Save Boca founder Jonathan Pearlman won a City Council seat. Michelle Grau and Stacy Sipple, both Save Boca-endorsed candidates, also won. Together, they form a new majority bloc committed to green space and resident input over high-density growth.

The mayoral race is headed to a recount, with candidates separated by as few as six votes.

For developers and investors planning projects in Boca Raton that require city cooperation or approvals, this is a meaningful shift. The political environment is more resistant to large-scale development than it was a week ago.

What does this mean for Boca Raton homeowners and buyers?

For buyers who were watching One Boca as a catalyst for the downtown corridor, that thesis is now off the table. The 7.8 acres near the Brightline station will not deliver a hotel, a grocery anchor, or nearly 1,000 units in the near term.

That does not stop private projects from moving forward on their own land. As we covered in Glass House Boca and Mizner Plaza Hotel, the downtown development pipeline continues. Just without the city-owned parcel in play.

For existing downtown property owners, lower density and a new council majority focused on limiting large-scale development could mean a more stable, lower-supply environment going forward. That can support values for those already in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions About the One Boca Referendum

What was the One Boca referendum result?

Boca Raton voters rejected One Boca with 74.52% voting against and 25.48% in favor. The results are unofficial pending completion of canvassing.

What was the One Boca project?

One Boca was a $4 billion public-private redevelopment proposed by Terra Group and Frisbie Group. It would have leased 7.8 acres of city-owned land near the Brightline station for 99 years in exchange for 947 residential units, a boutique hotel, a grocery store, a new City Hall, a community center, and a police substation.

Did the Boca Raton police bond pass?

No. Referendum Question 1, a $175 million bond measure to fund a new police headquarters, failed with 54.66% voting against. The city's current headquarters is no longer hurricane-rated.

Who won the Boca Raton City Council election?

Save Boca founder Jonathan Pearlman won a seat, along with Save Boca-endorsed candidates Michelle Grau and Stacy Sipple. They form a new council majority focused on limiting high-density development. The mayoral race is headed to a recount.

Can private developers still build in downtown Boca Raton?

Yes. Private projects on privately owned land continue to move forward. Glass House Boca, Mizner Plaza Hotel, and other developments are not affected by the referendum. Only the 7.8-acre city-owned parcel near Brightline is now without a development plan.

Local help for buyers and sellers in Boca Raton

Buying, selling, or investing in Boca Raton, Highland Beach, or Delray Beach? Understanding how political shifts and development patterns affect property values matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.

For help across Palm Beach County, call (561) 544-7000.