The dispute over the proposed redevelopment of Boca Raton’s government campus, known as One Boca, has intensified following recent legal action. Local attorney Ned Kimmelman filed a lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court against Save Boca, the primary group opposing the project, and its founder Jon Pearlman. The suit seeks an emergency injunction to invalidate petitions gathered by Save Boca in their efforts to force a referendum on the project. According to court filings, Save Boca collected 7,000 signed petitions against the redevelopment.
Kimmelman, a resident of Boca Raton, alleges in the suit that Save Boca and Pearlman misled the public to encourage signatures on their petition. The suit states: “Save Boca and Pearlman are conducting an audacious scheme to evade Florida law and abuse our electoral process in Palm Beach County and the City.” It further claims that the group’s push for a city charter amendment—one that would restrict the city council from selling or leasing land parcels larger than half an acre—would create an “unworkable, very expensive” government crisis.
Attempts to reach both Kimmelman and Pearlman for comment were unsuccessful.
The redevelopment plan is being led by David Martin’s Terra in partnership with the Frisbie Group. The proposal includes new city offices, residential units, retail space, and redevelopment of the current city hall at 201 West Palmetto Road. If approved, it would involve a 99-year lease of public land in downtown Boca Raton to the developers.
In September, the city council voted to delay final approval of the long-term lease until after a voter referendum scheduled for March 10, 2026. Terra and Frisbie were selected for the project earlier this year following a competitive bidding process that included other developers such as Steve Ross’ Related Ross, Namdar Group from New York, and Atlanta-based RocaPoint Partners.
At a recent city council workshop, Rob Frisbie Jr., a partner at Frisbie Group, said that revised plans for One Boca would be presented at upcoming city meetings on October 27 and 28. He indicated that the scope of the project would be reduced from its original 30-acre footprint. Frisbie stated: “We’re just in the design phase where we’re listening and incorporating additional feedback from the community,” adding that future plans will focus on improvements to Memorial Park.
During the same meeting, supporters of Save Boca criticized the project as a breach of public trust and voiced concerns about potential impacts on local wildlife habitats, including those of gopher tortoises. One supporter referenced Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign while addressing city officials.
The updated proposal will be reviewed later this month before moving forward to a public vote next March.
