UNIQUE HOMES: Stateside, Florida Leads in Luxury Golf Real Estate

UNIQUE HOMES: Stateside, Florida Leads the Way in luxury golf course real estate with 545 golf-course communities. Since 2001, 1764 new golf holes have been added, which would equal 98 new 18-hole golf courses. In 2006, 153 new holes appeared through August.

PORTABILITY PETITION (re property taxes)

TO SIGN and WHERE TO MAIL PORTABILITY PETITION (re property taxes) go to:

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl..us/papa/

and click on link to
portability petition - get address to mail petition to, print it out and sign and mail it.

MARILYN FARBER JACOBS

7th ANNUAL DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH ART FESTIVAL

Free Admission + Free Parking and a chance to walk off holiday calories will draw you to the Juried Outdoor Art Festival being held on Saturday, November 25th and Sunday, November 26th, 10 am – 5 pm. The work of artists from around the US will be featured and will include paintings, jewelry, photography, glass, sculpture, ceramics and more. The Festival being held in downtown Delray Beach will be in Pineapple Grove. Prices will range from $15 to $20,000. You have an opportunity to talk to the artists whose work you admire and may wish to purchase. For more information call 954-472-3755.

STATE OF FLORIDA MANDATES HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN MUST CHOOSE A MAJOR

High School was different "in our day"... A new state law mandates that incoming high school freshmen must choose a major. Palm Beach County School Board members recently approved the Florida Department of Education’s high school major areas of interest, including: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts; A/V Technology and Communicaions; Business Management and Administration; Education & Training; Finance; Government & Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security; Manufacturing; Marketing; Sales & Service; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics.

The Superintendent and some board members feel that 8th grade might be early to narrow down interests, despite the state mandate. Students must take 4 of 8 credits in their field of interest in addition to 16 core curriculum credits, to graduate. Majors can be changed during the registration process.

SPANISH RIVER ROAD LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION MAY RESUME IN JANUARY

City Manager Leif Ahnell said at a meeting last week that the city would hire a new contractor, following the firing some months back of the then current contractor over a dispute about cost and timing. Work should begin on the site of the Spanish River Road Library by January 15th, aiming to open the library in September 2007. However, the former contractor, South Florida Construction Services In. of Hallandale says a negotiation was in process that would allow the firm to continue, with a settlement. SFCS contends that they worked for 5 months and received no payment. So far there has been one mediation session, and another is schedule. SFCS has been in business 18 years and constructed 240 projects according to their CFO, Jerry Gillman.

The 2004 and 2005 hurricanes delayed construction and the cost of building materials skyrocketed. SFCS had, according to Ahnell, failed to lock in pricing of materials before the hurricanes and the prices to the City went up. SFCS blames the city for delays in purchasing materials.

A 2003 bond issue funded the new downtown library on Spanish River Road, which is partially built now.

2/2 1/2 CONDO in POLO CLUB FOR SALE - IMMACULATE!

Beautiful, spacious 1st floor condo available, built in 1999. This was a model, and still shows like one! Enjoy being surrounded by nature... 18'x17' family room opens to patio and private garden; wide side yard offers tropical views from all windows. 16'x14' white light and bright kitchen with center island and bay window for eat-in-area opens to family room.

18'x15' living room and 18'x'8 dining room area comprise a wide open great room. 2nd bedroom has foyer leading to it's own bath and big linen closet. Half bath is very pretty. Utility Room has huge storage closet next to it. 16'x14' master bedroom is large and open, with walk-in-closets. Master Bath is spacious, white, very "roomy." Walk to Community Pool, Fitness Area, Clubhouse.

The Polo Club offers a 145,000 sq ft Clubhouse with 5 dining rooms open in season, 29 tennis courts (some lit for night play), 2 championship golf courses, a 50,000 sq ft "world class" spa, many social and cultural activities, weekly movies, lectures, exercise and aerobics classes, spin bikes, a beauty parlor, resort-style pool, singles group, Children's Activity Center. LIFE IS GOOD... C'mon down.

To see this property and get a tour of The Polo Club, call Marilyn Jacobs at 561-988-0070. $540,000.

COUNTY OFFERS FREE AMPLIFIED PHONES FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS

All Palm Beach County residents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are offered specialized telephone equipment, at no charge, provided by the Deaf Service Center in West Palm Beach and Florida Telecommunications Relay.

According to the Deaf Center, there are more than 170,000 residents who are entitled to use this equipment and the proper training to use it. Requirements are proof of Florida residency and hearing loss.

For those with a moderate hearing loss, telephones with volume and tone control are provided, easily operated by both the hard-of-hearing individual and anyone else living in the same household. For those with a severe to profound hearing loss, and who also have intelligible speech the Center can provide a CapTel telephone which uses relay operator assistance to communicate messages. The relay operation captions everything said and it appears on the phone display screen. The telephone also has amplification, so the hard-of-hearing person can both listen to the conversation and read the captions.

A text telephone (“TTY”) is offered to deaf clients. The message is either directly typed to another TTY user, or to a person using a standard telephone through a third party relay service.

Proper training and instructions on how to operate the phones are provided.
Those eligible can call for an appointment at the Delray Beach office at 561-278-6444.

BOCA LAGO TO BUILD NEW HOMES

At last Thursday’s hearing, about 25 acres of land at Boca Lago now zoned for government and recreational use was designated for residential use, and there will be new home development on that land. The houses will abut a golf course, and will require reconfiguring of the course. Additional permits are needed before construction can begin. Club members said they need to increase the number of golf course members to ertain the two 18-hole courses. Membership is down, and the likelihood of getting more people from existing residents is slight, considering their ages. Boca Lago is an “over age 55” community. Membership at the club is not mandatory for residents.

Last year, Boca Lago decided to sell 24 acres of its golf course to Charlse Watt Communities, which has applied to build 130 condominiums in 23 two-story buildings for residents age 55 and older. This would give the club enough money to finish renovations and improvements to the existing 1,600-home community. The golf course wouldn't lose any of its 36 holes; the holes destined for housing would be moved. In contrast to the protracted infighting that broke out in some neighboring communities such as Boca del Mar, Boca Lago officials said nearly 90 percent of its residents support the plan. No Boca Lago resident will lose golf-course views, country club president Seymour Krinsky said.

NEW DEVELOPMENT AND LIBRARY COMING IN WEST BOCA

The Country Commissioners gave “the go ahead” last Thursday at a zoning meeting for construction of a new library and 130 home development at a 21.3 acre parcel on Yamato Road and 441. The Commission’s OK is preliminary as a 2nd hearing is needed for final adoption, scheduled for Nove 27th at 9:30 am.

The West Boca library will cost about $11-MM and measure 20,000 sq ft with room to expand another 20,000 sq ft and should start construction in January or February.

SHARP DECLINE IN BOCA STUDENT ENROLLMENT IMPACTS COMMUNITY

Palm Beach County is experiencing a decline in student enrollment, and Boca even moreso, according to a recent district report. Housing affordability is mentioned as one possible reason. Hurricanes also may have played a role in families moving out of state. Lower cost-of-living and more job opportunity in other states may be a factor for families who have sold their homes and moved elsewhere. One benefit is smaller classes.

Less students means fewer dollars for the district and therefore, cuts in county programs.
A large percentage of new enrollments are children of baby boomers who want to retire in Boca Raton.

CALDWELL THEATRE ABOUT TO OPEN IN ITS NEW BOCA LOCATION

The opening production will be an Elvis Presley tribute called “Hunka Hunka Burning Love.” The new location of the Caldwell Theatre is just north of it’s current location nin the Levitz Plaza and it will bear the name of the late Count Adolph de Hoernle. Whose wife, the Countess, is a longtime Caldwell supporter. When Caldwell moves out of it’s current location, he plaza will be leveled in the future to provide a multi-use development of homes, commercial, retail and office space. The new Caldwell will have a 350-seat performance center in the 25,750 sq ft building. A glass façade will face Federal Highway.

EMINENT DOMAIN MAY RESULT TO CREATE DOWNTOWN BOCA “SPINE”

A pedestrian walkway is proposed from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place and negotiations soon will begin for the purchase of land in the area, with eminent domain (“the forced taking of land”) a possible consideration. The aim is to create a path with eye-appealing amenities to draw people to see it, and to shop along the way. The Boca Raton Historical Society is trying to preserve certain sections of the city’s retail center because of the historic value. The land acquisition should end by the 3rd quarter of 2008. A bond issue will develop to cover costs, and public input will be involved Design of the spine should run from mid-2008 to the first quarter of 2 009. Construction and engineering could start in the 2nd quarter of 2009 with completion planned for the 4th quarter of 2010.

9-PASSENGER JET CHARTER ADDED AT BOCA RATON AIRPORT

Executive Jet Management added a private jet to Boca Raton which has a non-stop range of 4400 miles, and can fly Boca to Los Angeles or Miami to Brazil. The company is a leading provider of worldwide jet charter and aircraft management services which has earned the “Best Charter Service” award from Professional Pilot magazine subscribers for it’s 9th consecutive year. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and manages aircraft in more than 60 locations throughout the country. The jet features a DVD player, two 18” video monitors, two data ports, flight phone and galley with microwave and conventional ovens. The plane is a Falcon 2000EX.

BOCA SETS NEW NON-RESIDENT LIBRARY FEES

The construction of the new western library, which has been held up due to litigation, will be finished at some future date.

With a “significant decrease” in non-resident card users in the past few years, according to City Manager Leif Ahnell, the City Counsel voted to set fees of $100 for a non-resident individual library card, and $`75 for a non-resident family library card.

Non-residents have been paying $150 for a library card but it costs city residents $161 in taxes to get the same services. Dorothy Gunn, a 5-year member of the Library Adivsory Board in Boca Raton and LAB liaison to the Friends of the Library Boards says that public libraries should be free. Ahnell said the cost of a non-resident card was $35 in 1999, $40 in 2000, $50 om 2001 and 2002, $65 in 2003 and 2004, and $150 in 2005. Tax payments cover the cost of a library card for residents.

BOCA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES YAMATO AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY

Stiles Corp of Ft Lauderdale will be building 140 townhouses and 32 single-family residences in a residential complex at Yamato Road and Broken Sound Boulevard. The homes will be built on a 23-acre parcel just south of the Shoppes at Blue Lake on Yamato Road. The homes would abut a county-owned marshland at the northwest corner of the property. To the south is Blue Lake, and beyond that is the city-owned property being developed into de Hoernle Park, a massive recreation area that includes the city’s dog park and partially constructed western library. The Developer will pay $3-MM into the city’s Affordable Housing Land Trust fund to avoid workforce housing requirement. This buyout is based on $13,000 per unit. Discussion ensued as to whether the Developer would get a rebate if the amount was too high. A ordinance is being developed that the City Manager, Leif Ahnell, will present in December that will contain the specific amount per unit that developers can pay to waive the requirement of constructing workforce homes.

TRUTH... or FICTION in the headlines?

An article in the Wall St Journal on September 12, 2006, stated that home sales have "plunged over the past year in many areas where prices had soard over the preceding five years." The full story is that prices only went down 1.7% although the number of home sales did plummet 12.6% in August 2006 vs. August 2005. More accurately, sales have EASED. Not a huge plunging change! Although not the case in 2004 and 2005, there is a slowdown in home sales during most summers in home sales in Florida!

SOME COURT DOCS GOING ONLINE Oct 17, 2006

30 years of criminal and traffic court records will begin being converted to a modernized computer system that the public will be able to access online at http://pbcountyclerk.com/.

Included will be traffic citations (which can be paid online), court dates and other information docketed in a court file, e.g., listing of filings and activity. The ability to view the individual documents in a particular case is not yet available, but is slated for the future.

From 5 pm this coming Friday until Oct. 9, court filings will be done the old-fashioned way, by hand while all the records are being transferred. The information will be entered into the new system once it is up and running.

The vendor, Affiliated Computer Systems, signed a contract in 1999 for $4.9 million to convert the civil and juvenile records, which went online in 2002. That same year, the county signed contracts totaling $6.9 million to do the same thing for criminal and traffic records.

With 7,000 hits per day, the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court's Web site -- www.pbcountyclerk.com -- already competes with the property appraiser's site as the county's busiest. That number is expected to double when criminal and traffic records are added.

NEWSPAPERS HAVE LOST MANY REAL ESTATE ADS TO THE INTERNET

Newspapers will face a huge loss of real estate ads to the Internet, according to Borrell Associates, a national consulting and research firm that tracks local internet advertising and crafts strategies for media and websites. See http://www.borrellassociates.com/product.cfm?prodID=55 .

"Toward the end of 2005, the Internet became the most-used method of selling a home -- beating out even the old-faithful yard sign," says Borrell. “The $11 billion spent on total real estate advertising stagnated, growing less than 4% over the past four years, while the available advertising inventory -- the number of existing homes for sale on the market -- rose 41 percent in the last 12 months. That metric alone is enough to stop a real estate advertising executive dead in his or her tracks."

The Newspaper Association of America reports that classified ad revenue amounted to $16.6 billion in 2004 -- down from $19.6 billion from 2000. Corrected for inflation the situation is far worse: Newspapers would have to have taken in $21.5 billion in 2005 to equal their 2000 classified revenues. See http://www.naa.org/thesource/20.asp .

Will INTEREST RATES GO FARTHER DOWN NOW?

September 18, 2006: Says David Lereah, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, "Mortgage rates are one of the bright spots in the economy right now, with an unexpected decline recently in the 30-year fixed rate to a narrow range around six-and-a-half percent. This should encourage some of the nearly 4 million people who’ve found newly created jobs over the last two years.”

CITIZEN's DEFICIT to cost ALL FL HOMEOWNERS

A one-time charge of $20.70 for every $1000 of annual homeowner insurance premiums due for Florida homeowners with their next renewal bills, added to rate hikes that have already appeared. This is to HELP cover Citizen’s Property Insurance Corp’s $1.7-Billion deficit from 2005, to shore up the state’s home insurer of last resort and now its biggest property insurer.

This is the second time in 2 years that all Florida home insurance policyholders are being forced to bail out Citizens, which has been drained by hurricane-related claims.

Once the assessment gets the go-ahead from the state Office of Insurance Regulation, homeowner insurance companies will pay Citizens and pass the charge on to their customers when the policies are renewed.

This assessment, already approved, is expected to raise $163-MM, and combined with $715-MM in sales tax money already set aside, plus the assessment Citizens is to consider next month which is expected to raise $822-MM.

This information is from the 9-17-06 issue of the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.

COMMUNITIES TAKE NOTE: DEVELOPERS ARE WOOING FAMILIES

9-1-06: Today’s Wall St Journal has an article about the ways developers are wooing families to their properties, and the ideas may have merit everywhere.

Developers tout fancy gyms, pools just for children, water parks, fake “fossil digs”, couture designer romper rooms, playgrounds with slides and climbing equipment, “kids-only” activity rooms, child-sized “Wild West” sets with saloons and teepees, squirt-gun shootout areas, plastic monkey bars, tunnel labyrinths, and on-call “nanny” staff.

According to Packaged Facts, a New York-based consumer-research company, it costs a middle-income family $191,000 to raise a child to age 18.

Noise-reducing Makeover for Homes near Boca Airport

Residents living in and near the Boca Airport have been calling a noise hotline for years now about the sound of jet engines revving and planes roaring into the sky. Using a $3-MM grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, each year 10 homes, which will qualify if they do not have code violations, will be earmarked for soundproofing work. Homeowners will receive certified letters asking if they want to participate. This could include special sound-deadening doors, windows and insulation. Makeovers would cost homeowners between $35,000 and $55,000, if they had to pay for it out of pocket. Impact glass would be included with doors rated to withstand high winds.

The first homes targeted will be at the north end of the runway in the Boca Teeca area and some for the developments around it that are on the high-decibel (65 or more) contours of the noise map for their interiors, created by a recent study called Part 150 Study. The federal government will pay for 95% of the soundproofing and the airport will pay the other 5%. Those receiving the federally funded upgrade must sign a so-called “aviation easement,” meaning they voluntarily give up their legal right to sue the airport over noise issues.

BONUSES TO “A” SCHOOLS OR GRADE INCREASES

Bonus checks in various amounts, at $100 per student, were handed out recently to 1800 Florida schools by Governor Jeb Bush and other top government officials. Rewards totaled more than $157-MM. Bush says the best use for the extra money is to provide bonuses to teachers and staffers… but he says there are all sorts of creative ways that schools celebrate their success.

Among Boca Raton schools receiving these bonuses were:

Boca Raton Community Middle School: $109,264
Boca Raton Elementary School: $36,450
Boca Raton High School: $194,224
Calusa Elementary School: $74,304
Eagles Landing Middle School: $126,497
Omni Middle School: $123,500
Spanish River Community High School: $212,816
West Boca Raton High School: $213,703

To see a list of schools receiving recognition funding and amounts visit www.firn.edu/doe/evaluation/schrmain.htm

County Authorizes Limited Debris Clean-up in Gated Communities

“To create safe passage” of vehicles on roadways upon declaration of a disaster, within a gated community, a new ordinance has been adopted to collect and remove debris from private gated communities and/or private roads, with FEMA “more likely” providing reimbursement for the debris removal. Up to now, FEMA has denied any application for debris removal reimbursement involving private communities.

FEMA’s early targeting of debris removal is to make highways and roads safe for travel and to remove debris if it constitutes a health or safety hazard. Hurricane debris removal costs are shared 75/25 between FEMA and the state with removal, storage and disposal performed by local governments or by contractors selected by those governmental entities. Pheasant Walk on the east side of Military Trail above Clint Moore had incurred more than $20,000 in removal costs using their landscape contractor, but the County was only offering $15,000 in repayment “because that’s what it would have cost the county to do the job,” but Commissioner Burt Aronson said that if Pheasant Walk was reimbursed, “then I want other communities included.”
Last week’s action to permit country debris removal in general from gated community roads at least now gives the county a statutory basis to argue that health and safety were at issue and therefore the county should be reimbursed, and permits residents in gated communities to receive the same road clearing treatment as those along public roadways.

Have You Read About CarePages?

CarePages.com is a free secure private internet space for families and invited friends to form an online support community around a patient. This space can be used to post get-well wishes, upload photos and share info about the loved one’s illness, recovery and/or rehab. Patients can respond online, and family members can communicate with staff.

One family member is designated to be in charge of the space. CarePages currently manages over 50,000 individual CarePages communities with over 5-MM members in 190 countries around the world. Over 500 hospital and health care facilities across the US and Canada are offering their own customized versions of CarePages.

Go to www.carepages.com for a visit.

AREA SCHOOLS BENEFITTING FROM $3.7MM MICROSOFT SETTLEMENT

About 99 Palm Beach County schools, including Boca Raton Elementary, Carver Middle, Delray Boynton Academy and Delray Full Service Center will reap benefits from the Microsoft settlement, resulting in enhancement of technology e.g., sound field enhancement, document cameras, servers, computers and software. The settlement resolved class action lawsuits alleging that Microsoft violated Florida’s antitrust laws and now provides benefits to consumers and businesses that purchased licenses for Microsoft operating system, productivity suite, spreadsheet or word processing software between 11-16-1995 and 12-31-2002 for use in the sate of Florida, up to a maximum amount of $202-MM.

More than $80-MM in vouchers will be distributed to receive reimbursement for purchases of any manufacturer’s desktp, laptop or table computers running any operating system, training, or software used with those computer products. To qualify, a school must have at least half of its students eligible for free and reduced price lunch. A website will be established for school districts to determine leigibility and identify items appropriate for voucher use. Vouchers may also be used for services including curriculum development for school administrators. Half the funds can be used for software and half for hardware and other services.

CONDO INSURANCE RATES MAY FALL

There has been a change in how association’s policies are handled by Citizens Property Insurance Company. Previously one policy would group condo buildings together, and now Citizen’s board decided they will treat the buildings separately. A stricter criteria will still apply to individual condo buildings that cost $10-MM or more to replace. This change could save associations thousands of dollars on their insurance premiums. Depending on how the associations decide to use the refunds, either homeowners could receive refunds or the funds could be held in reserve by the association. Rate reductions could be 20% to 30%, but that will still be more than associations paid to Poe Financial Group previously. Change will apply retroactively to any policies issued on or after May 15, which is when Citizens first issued condo association policies using the stricter standards. About 2000 associations are affected. It will take 60-90 days for Citizens to process the refunds.

SINGLE WOMEN HOME BUYERS: A Market Segment to Consider

The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies’ report states that unmarried women (2/3 were previously married) have become a large segment of the home buying population, with 63% of buyers being married couples, 17% being unmarried men, and 20% being single women. Many of the women have children.

While single women average 11% less median income than single men, at $37,000, and while at first the single women do not purchase single family homes, they tend to move up by building their net worth by buying low, selling when the market grows and moving into a larger, more expensive dwelling. The Women’s Mortgage Industry Network was launched four years ago to help women in their quest for home ownership, and is sponsored by Freddie Mac.

Agreement Reached on Site for Botanical Garden in Boca Raton

The de Hoernle Park may be using 48 acres of property on the south side of Blue Lake for development of the botanical garden, although 24 acres just north of the property is also being considered.

Ann F. Wood, President of the Boca Raton Botanical Gardens Association said that the 48-acre site would allow the association to increase the number of amenities, and put in Japanese and Chinese Gardens as well as enhance to Children’s Garden. A Learning Play Area is also envisioned, which will include a cave with stalagmites and stalactites, vine-covered tunnels, shooting water and topiaries as well as unusual plants. The Flowering Tree Society and Orchid Society are both expected to be involved.

A conservatory is proposed with a 210’ diameter geodesic dome structure. It will house classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, offices and rest rooms, and the dome interior will be a tropical garden with one of the world’s largest aviaries.

FAU Purchases Super High-performance computers for their Boca Raton Campus

With the concentration of high tech companies here and moving into the region, including Motorola, IBM and Scripps as well as medium-sized and small technology companies, these computers, purchased from SGI in Mountain View, CA, may be serving the needs of these technology companies. Initially there will be six projects:

… creation and analysis of advanced tools for parallel program development
… biometrics
… experimental mathematics
… solid state physics
… biomedical sciences
… media systems development.

University research and possible future collaboration with Scripps Florida are in the plans.

RESIDENTS STILL WRANGLING WITH BOCA HOSPITAL OVER CANCER CENTER

Boca Raton Community Hospital wants to build a 98,000 sq ft 3-story high-tech cancer treatment center on the 4-acre site of the vacant Town Center Patio apartments at the corner of 13th Street and 7th Avenue which will be called the Lynn Comprehensive Cancer Center. The hospital paid $13-MM for the Town Center Patio apartment building earlier this year and plans to demolish it.

While the matter seemed to have been settled a year ago, according to an attorney for the hospital, Wendy Larsen, objectors have thrown new demands on the table – including moving the entire building further down 13th Street so there will be no access from 7th Avenue. Some area homeowners who want to keep NW 7th Avenue a residential street, particularly those on the board of the adjacent Lands End townhouse community, say a multi-story cancer treatment building would create traffic, noise and privacy problems.

The hospital agreed to move the new building further away from the Lands End property line and scrap a proposed covered overpass leading to the parking garage across the street. Hospital officials said that design changes have already been made, along with signs pointing drivers away from the residential area, and landscaping also has been enhanced, with these modifications done to please residents costing $400,000. It is hoped that the proposal for the cancer center will go before the planning & Zoning Board in September and to City Council in October.

BOCA WEST COUNTRY CLUB RANKED #1 IN THE NATION

Club Leaders Forum, a national publication that ranks leading private clubs in different categories every three years, has picked Boca West as 2006’s number one residential country club in the United States. Over 6,000 club managers and residents are surveyd about what makes each facility special, covering tradition and heritage, quality of membership, amenities, governance, professional management and staff.

According to the CLF publisher, “Boca West is also at the apex of all clubs in size, revenues and complexity.”

Developed in 1971 by Arvida Corporation, the 1400-acre club features four championship courses, over 30 tennis courts, a sport pavilion and fitness center as well as other amenities. President and General Manager Jay DiPietro said, “I believe we have the finest staff of any club in the country,” with approximately 900 people employed.
In 1997 the club had a $40-million expansion and renovation program with more than 210,000 sq ft of additions and improvements and is currently embarking on another $36-million expansion that will cover reconstruction of two golf courses, updating the sports pavilion and fitness center, and building a new 62,000 sq ft spa.

Retirement-Haven names Boca among top 15% of cities for retirees

While only 20% of Boca Raton’s residents are ge 65 and older, according to the article, the climate and wealth of outdoor and cultural activites put Boca in the top 15% of all desireable cities. For more statistics, go to the website.

WAREHOUSE CONDOS COMING TO BOCA

A 46-unit warehouse condominium will feature spaces averaging 1500 sq ft with impact glass hurricane protection, tilt wall construction and 12’ x 14’ overhead doors. Units can be used for warehouse, light manufacturing, assembly, industrial and showroom purposes.

Also featured will be a mezzanine above the office, an air-conditioned office area and restroom, 20-ft clear ceiling height, covered entries, abundant parking, fire sprinkler system and 24-hour access. There will be 24-hour monitoring, climate and humidity controls, smoke sensors and fire detectors.

Developer is Marvin Chaney, who is also developer for RoboValut, a planned hurricane-resistant robotic storage facility in Ft. Lauderdale with computerized access and secured biometric technology. It will be located in the Boca Raton Commerce Center on Boca Rio Road, just south of Glades Road on the west side of the Florida Turnpike. Occupancy is planned for 2007.

City Council Aiming for 500 Affordable Housing Units By 2025 or Sooner

Creating “workforce homes” that are within the means of middle-income families, e.g. teachers, police, firefighters, other city workers, has been discussed over for the last 2 years by the Council.

The number, 500, was recommended in the Palm Beach County Workforce Needs Assessment Package.

Discussions began in 2004 when the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce presented a “white paper” on affordable housing.

Proposals for developers are being discussed.

WORK SOON BEGINS ON BLAZING STAR NATURE PRESERVE

Boca’s newest nature preserve has opened for bidding for its creation, running from the rear of Sugar Sand Park nearly to the CSX railroad tracks.
The company that wins the contract will be responsible for grading, paving, landscaping and irrigation. A kiosk is also planned. School groups can visit here and it will eventually be tied in with Sugar Sand Park. There will be a small parking lot and a pathway to connect the area. Once the contract is awarded, perhaps at the August 22nd City Countil meeting, it will take about 9-10 months to complete, and work might begin this October.

DEVELOPMENT NEAR NEW DOWNTOWN BOCA RATON PUBLIC LIBRARY

New Downtown Boca Raton Public Library will have development of homes and multi-family units adjacent in Libarary Commons.

Land clearing is now complete, and this sign above appears, indicating Library commons, a development of 55 single-family homes and 37 multi-family units will soon be going up. Location is at 200 NW 2nd Avenue, near Glades.

BOCA FESTIVAL DAYS: August 1 to August 31

Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce President Troy McLellan said that, “our main goal these days is to contribute to the various non profit charities in the area… it’s all about giving back to the community.” Thirty-five years ago the month-long citywide series of events were intended to help boost business during August, a traditionally slow month. Now there are a huge variety of activities and about 40 events are scheduled, with thousands of participants. In 2005, more than $200,000 was raised.

Events being held include:
August 1, 5:30 – 7:30: 2nd Anuual Splash of Gold Fashion Show at the Marriot Boca Raton Center with local celebrities participating and modeling. $40 per person in advance, $60 at the door. Marriott Boca Raton at Boca Center. Raffle prizes, dj, h’ors d’ouvres, libations and drinks. For more info call Kate Volman at 561-395-4433 or kate@bocaratonchamber.com.
July 31 through September 8: Juried art exhibition sponsored by the Artists Guild of the Boca Raton Museum of Art and Coneca Properties, open to all Florida artists (Courtyard Building, 5301 N. Federal Highway). Awards Reception is August 5, 2-4 pm. For information call Gloria Berger, 561-738-4842 or Roni DiSabello at 561-487-3362.
August 5: Mr. Boca Legs Competition at Mizner Park
August 7: Seminar in love and relationships at the Kabbalah Centre, 7 pm. Call 561-488-8826 for more details and registration.
August 8 at noon: Boca Raton Public Library, 200 NW 2nd Avenue, will hold a book discussion of “The Great Fire,” a romance novel by National Book Award Winner Shirley Hazzard, who will speak about the book. For more information, call 561-393-7968.
August 8, 8 pm: Kabbalah Centre will present food, dancing and more to celebrate Tu B”av, The Holiday of Love. For more information and to register, call 561-488-8826.
August 9, 5:30 – 8:30 pm: PIP Printing & Document Services at 1200 S. Rogers Circle, Unit 8 will hold their “2nd Annual BBQ For A Cure” with minimum donation at $20 per person to support the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” event. BBQ fixins, fun ,games, karaoke, entertainment, chance drawings with prices and more. Country & Western attire is welcomed, rain or shine.
August 11m 6-8 pm: Sweet Jazz by Steve Gryb and ensemble along with Chablis, Red and Chardonnay wines among friends – dance and mingle at this wine tasting party at the Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Mizner Center, 501 E. Camino Real with complimentary on-stie self parking. $50 tickets must be purchased in advance at www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar) or at the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce at 1800 N. Dixie Highway. Call Jo Scannell at 561-395-4433, Ext 21 or email at jo@bocaratonchamber.com.
August 11, 7-9 pm: Marshall Turkin and his Classic Jazz Ensemble present Gershwin music at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre, with a free concert under the stars- bring your chairs and blankets. Chair rentals are $2 and food may be purchased. For more info call 561-393-7806, selection 2.
August 12: Sea Turtle Conservation Day, a family affair, 10 am – 3 pm at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on North Ocean Blvd (A1A) below Spanish River Road. For more info call 561-338-1473.
AUGUST 12, 11-3: Skating Competition at Tim Huxhold State Park, 400 Crawford Blvd. For ages 5-17. Early registration began July 29 at 10 am. For more info call 561-393-7818. $10 registration fee.
August 13, 2-3 pm. Boca Museum and FAU South Florida Storytelling Project will hold an educational program demonstrating how to create and tell effective, entertaining stories, using voice momevment, eye contact andimagination. Free with paid museum admission, children 12 and under are free. Go to www.bocamusuem.org for more info.
August 17: Sports Fans & Family Night at Wilt Chamberlain’s is free
August 1, 15, and 29: free skin cancer screenings – advance appointments can be made by calling sponsor Boca Raton Community Hospital at 561-95-LEARN.
Saturdays August 5, 12, 19, 26, 2-4 pm: Guided Tour of the historic Boca Raton Resort & Club on Camino Real. Cost is $12 per person, $10 for BRHS members, $9 per car valet parking, and benefits the Boca Raton Historical Society. Not for children under 12. For more information call 561-395-6766 Ext 100, or go to www.bocahistory.org.

Some of the charities who will benefit from Festival Days are Boca Helping Hands, Kids in Distress, March of Dimes and Hospice by the Sea. Included as event sponsors are the Boca Raton News, Boca Rton Resort & Club and West Boca Medical Center.
For more information call Myles Kornblatt, Director of Communications for the Chamber at 561-395-4433, Ext. 235 or email: myles@bocaratonchamber.com.

POSSIBLE $30-MM BOND ISSUE ON BOCA’S PROPOSED “SPINE”

The possibility of developing a pedestrian walkway along the route between Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place will be decided by City Council, yes or no, in the near future. Three plans have been drawn up by an architectural firm, each showing either low- medium- or high density solutions..

“Sixty years of Boca history is contained there,” said Mary Csar, the executive director of the Boca Raton Historical Society, whose group hopes to retain the historic nature and “flavor of the 1950’s” for the Boca Raton Road area east of Sanborn Square.

This idea was first presented in the late 1960’s, and again in the 1980’s. The second proposal was adopted by the City Countil, but opponents forced it onto a referendum question, which voters rejected.
City Manager Leif Ahnell said the bond issue would be intended to cover costs of the project.

CAMINO REAL BRIDGE TO BE REHABILITATED

Designated as a Historic Landmark in 1997, the Camino Real Bridge will be rehabilitated in 2007 with a new deck and painting and repair of the beams. Some are afraid if it is not fixed now, it will pass the stage where it still can be repaired and a new bridge will be necessary. Camino Real Boulevard was also designated at the same time as a Historic Landmark. The roadway was designed by Addison Mizner in the 1930’s, but he did not design the bridge. That was built in 1939. Palm Beach County is responsible for the bridge and it’s bills. In 1998 the County spend more than $100,000 to replace gearboxes at the bridge.

NEW SPANISH RIVER BRANCH LIBRARY COMPLETION STALLED

Due to a dispute between the city and the building contractor, construction of the new Library ground to a halt earlier this year. Assistant City Manager Mike Wotka said, ”It’s at a standstill.”

South Florida Construction Services, the low bidder for library construction, filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court in March, claiming the city has withheld payments and refused to grant an extension of time for completion of the building. It is about 75% complete, but the City Manager, Leif Ahnell, predicted to City Council that the ongoing troubles with the contractor will delay completion for a year. Completion time was 420 days, in the original contract, for substantial completion and 450 days for final completion from the notice to proceed. Notice was issued July 7, 2004.

Local officials have said the builder was behind in its work and had allegedly jacked up the price of materials because they did not buy them before the project began and failing to lock in the pricing forced the firm to purchase materials at current market rates. The City Manager said that, “One month into construction, the builder wanted a $795,000 change order, which was found to be unmerited under the contract documents and conditions.” He added, “The contractor’s bonding company has gotten involved and have to decide if they will find someone else to finish or take the side of the contractor. They have the option to mediate.” Ahnell said that the $2.5-million in this year’s city budget that was allocated for the operation of the library will be used instead to cover the expected additional costs from the lawsuit and the delay.
A 2003 bond issue provided funding for the library and other local libraries.

MONEY MAGAZINE NAMES BOCA RATON 30TH BEST CITY TO LIVE IN US FOR 2006 AND #1 FOR FLORIDA

Click on COMMENTS below to read details.

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

HOW CAN YOU CONSERVE ENERGY (and save $$$)? GO to http://www.fpl.com/ and click on SUMMER TOOL KIT to get to the Online Home Energy Survey. It takes a few minutes, and, as I did, you might find a few hints that are helpful.

CONSTRUCTION HEADING OUR WAY

Being considered are an additional interchange or two partial ones in Boca Raton from the Turnpike; a new interchange with work starting in 2012 using one of two alternative plans at Spanish River Boulevard from I-95 (to handle FAU traffic), more work on the Linton Boulevard area to widen the lanes; revamping of the Yamato interchange, perhaps getting rid of the loop ramps; improvements at Glades Road I-95 interchange and widening of Glades from Butts to FAU. ALso being considered are a full set of ramps at Clint Moore and the Turnpike, or partial interchanges at Yamato and Palmetto Park.

REMEMBER THAT: AARP magazine says that THE MOST DANGEROUS ROAD in the US is I-95 in Florida! Drive on it CAREFULLY!

MARILYN FARBER JACOBS

SUMMER ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES

At 2 pm today, at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Mizner Park partners with Morikami Musuem to present “ARTful Adventure Sunday” will show children how to turn flat pieces of paper into 3-dimensional works of art. The activity is free with paid museum admission; children under 12 get in free.

Other activities coming up include:


FRIDAY, JULY 14th:
“A Glass Act”: an exhibition of glass plates with handmade paper adhered, created by 55 kids, ages 6 -11. Sponsored by the Art School Youth Summer Art Camp and Bloomingdales. A desert reception at Bloomingdales Town Center Mall B’Kids department will host parents and campers on July 28th. Exhibit will remain between July 14th and July 28th.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19TH:
Boca Museum will present “Let’s Tell a Story – A look at Narrative Art.” 2 pm in the permanent collection area. Free with paid museum admission.

THURSDAY, JULY 20th:
Boca Museum and Morikami present a “ppolisde bash” for active professionals at the Athletic Club of Boca Raton, 1499 Yamato Road. Japanese art and culture will be featured, with music, appetizers and cool drinks. Tickets are $25 for BAM and Tashi (the working professionals group of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens) and $40 for all others. For more info call 561-392-2500, ext 216.

MONDAY, JULY 31st:Art School Term C at Boca Museum begins. Call 561-392-2503 for more information. In the Art School Gallery there will be an exhibit of the Individual Youth Summer Camp from 10 am to 4 pm through October 5th.

PAINTING EVENT COMPETITION

On Saturday, July 8th the Gardens Memorial Park located at 4103 North Military Trail, south of Yamato Road, in Boca Raton will host a “Gathering of Artists at the Gardens,” from 8 am to noon. The work of local artists will be showcased and exhibited. The event takes place in the South Sanctuary Building on the 2nd Floor. A portion of sales will benefit research into Crohn’s & Colitis.

The Plein Air Painting Event is open to all aspiring artists age 10-7 and amateur and professional visual artists age 18 and older. Media can be pen and ink, watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastels or photography; each artist may submit 1-2 entries of any size, framed or unframed. Submissions accepted until Tuesday, July 11th before 5 pm.

Label finished works with title, size, medium, artist’s name, phone number and email address. Three winners will be chosen in “best” category and 6 consolation favorites. Cash prizes will be awarded. On July 13th from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at The Gardens Fine Arts Gallery, second floor south sanctuary. For further information, call (561) 989-9190.

PB COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION TARGETS LEGISLATURE

The South County Partnership, a 3-year old group, is an umbrella community association organization. It recently assessed its influence on legistlators during this year’s session and outlined a plan for 2007.

The partnership comprises the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations, the West Boca Community Council and the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations and plans to reach out and invite similar organizations in northwest Broward County to join. The group represents nearly 300 communities and about 500,000 residents. The West Boca council, which has 115 members, was formed in 1980, and a year later came the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations, which has 79 members representing about 100,000 people. In 1994, the areas west of Delray Beach organized into The Alliance of Delray Residential Associations, which represents communities that are home to 70,000 people.Community leaders hope those numbers, along with memberships to larger organizations such as the Florida Coalition of Community Associations, pull weight with legislators.

Rob Schulbaum, president of Alliance of Delray Residential Associations, said, “We had some influence in keeping the bills with punitive actions against condo and HOAs from being passed.”

Introductions of bills limiting the powers of condo and HOAs since 2004 included several restricting the power associations have to enforce many of their laws, including collecting past dues or fining homeowners for violations. Schulbaum said, “Our fear is that these bills will pass next year.” A big current issue is over insurance not being renewed for communities.

TEMPLE BETH EL PLANNING WEST BOCA FACILITY

Zoning Commission meets August 3rd to hear about plans for the largest Jewish Boca Raton congregation (and one of the largest in the US) to build a new educational facility in West Boca. A pre-school and religious education center is planned for the Reform Temple. It may include 10 pre-school classrooms, 10 religious education classes and a multi-purpose area. Regular services will not be held there, but special religious gatherings may be conducted occasionally for special events. Children attend grades Pre-K and K.

Temple Beth El wants to build on 6 acres at the corner of Cobblestone Way and Ponderosa Drive.

The Temple, located at 333 SW Fourth Avenue, is about to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, and according to Rabbi Dan Levin, has grown from “a handful of people to one of the largest Jewish communities in the county.” The Rabbi said, “This is no longer central. We are central in the hearts of the congregation but not in their neighborhoods… we have so many families who live north and west of the synagogue.” Some students attending religious school classes have been moved to rental space in Omni Middle School and Eagle’s Landing School. Rabbi Levin said that this has worked fairly well, but attending classes “in a sacred space” should be part of the religious experience.
According to the Rabbi, about $5MM has been raised through preliminary fund raising and the capital campaing will be launced in the fall with a goal of $10-$12MM.

Website for Temple Beth El is TREBOCA.com. Phone number for the Temple is 561-391-8900.

HOA and CONDO laws

FL OFFICIALS DECIDE CONDOS MUST HAVE GENERATORS and HOAS CAN CONTINUE OPERATING WITHOUT RESERVE FUND TO PAY EMERGENCY CLEANUP AND OTHER EXPENSES

While the lack of reserves last year forced many association to impose huge special assessments on owners, the mandatory HOAs can continue operating without a reserve fund to pay emergency cleanup and other expenses.

High-rise condos must install sprinklers in hallways and lobbies by 2013, and associations must provide a generator for at least one elevator in each building by 2007 for at least 5 days after a disaster, so that the elderly and infirm residents won’t again get trapped on upper floors.

The length of time a condo owner or association can file suit against the buildrer for construction defects has been reduced from 15 years to 10 years.

State condo law is 93 pages, compared with 30 pages for the homeowner law. Governor Jeb Bush has ordered the state Department of Business & Professional Regulation to recommend by October 1st whether the state should consider combining laws for all “common interest communities,” include HOAs, condos, co-ops and timeshares.

TOWN CENTER TO EXPAND

A massive 25% expansion plan has begun at Town Center mall to add shops and restaurants, and to move restaurants to the edges of the mall and create more of a “café” atmosphere, a “village concept with an open air feeling, parking close to the store entrances and open patio dining areas” as posted in a memo around the mall.

Built more than 2 decades ago, the mall is now officially within the Boca city limits. Restaurant expansions include Legal Seaafoods and TGI Fridays, and include adding parking and an elevated walkway. Crate and Barrel will also expand as will Macy’s. A future expansion will add 51,682 sq ft of “general (as yet undefined) land area, subject to future site plan reviews and approvals.”
Stores currently counted as anchors include Sears, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

BOCA BOTANICAL BROUHAHA

While both the Boca Raton Botanical Gardens and the Boca Raton Parks & Recreation Board endorse use of a 25-acre site next to the city’s new western library, a disagreement involves the location.

The Assoiciation wants to put it on a section of the developing de Hoernle Park between Yamata Road and Spanish River Boulevard, but the Board says that loation was never the board’s intent.

Association President Ann Wood responded to a letter from Recreation services Director Micky Gomez, citing the text of a vote she said was taken by the Parks & Rec Board on August 3, 2005, which she says the board supports the project and specifies the 25-acre site “situated near Spanish River Boulevard and adjacent to the library on the north side of the T-Rex sit.” She stated that, “We were surprised that none of the six carryover members from that board put on record that he previous board did unanimously recommend it to the City Council… there was no ‘gross misrepresentation’ in our petition wording,” and she asked for an apology for the accusations in Gomez’ letter, which said the board members “are obviously dismayed with this gross misrepresentation.”

Wood said that last month the association started a petition drive to “indicate to the City Council that we have the support of the community for the gardens. We believe that with enough signatures, the council will agree to designate the land for the gardens and lease it to us…. Since our plan has been so widely supported by the people, but thwarted over the past two years by city staff, we have chosen the appropriate channel as outlined in the city charter – a petition initiative.” The association had held off it’s drive because the property was part of the package offered to Scripps when the city was trying to woo the California-based biomedical research to South County, but it has now been assigned a site in Jupiter, and the association hopes to lease the property.

Wood wrote Mayor Steven Abrams that the association will hold off on submitting it’s petition, “to allow time for a mutually beneficlal arrangement to be concluded to develop the gardens in the southern section of the Countess de Hoernle Park, and has presented the mayor with a “join development” program that would require each side to contribute to the creation of the garden for which a conceptual plan has already been developed by a landscape architect.

Palm Beach County studies slightly larger cut in property taxes

A proposal to cut property taxes by 2% has been upped to a proposal to cut by 3% bby Commissioner Mary McCarty, with residents with homestead exemptions having no change in their county tax bills. The 3% tax rate cut would offset the rise in property values, with homeowners paying $4.30 for every $1000 in assessed values instead of the current $4.45.

Public hearings on the budget are set for July with voting in September. The 2006 budget was $3.9-billion; the 2007 budget calls for a $4.3-billion spending plan.
With a 21% spike in property values, about $100-million in extra revenues was created, even after McCarty’s proposed tax rate cut. Property value growth is expected to slow in 2007 due to a softened real estate market.

The Economic Council of Palm Beach County submitted a letter saying the tax rate reductions being discussed aren’t enough, considering the county has benefited from a soaring real estate market in recent years.
A 9% property tax cut was voted on for Broward County, although new projects proposed there might eat deeply into that tax cut.

Magen David Adom Admitted to Red Cross - Red Cross President speaks at St. Andrews Country Club

American Red Cross Chairwoman, Bonnie McElveen-Hunger, told an audience of American Friends of Magen David Adom at St. Andrews Country Club recently, “We are working to assure the implementation of MDA. We must right the wrong of discrimination against MDA.”

When a vote was taken by the International Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland in the past week, the International Red Cross welcomed both the Magen David Adomand the Palestin Red Crescent Society to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. After the vote, she said, “We are extremely pleased that… MDA is now an equal partner with the 184 other national societies.”

The MDA has been rejected by the International Red Cross for more than fifty years. She noted that since 1948, when Israel gained statehood, the American Red Cross has fought for international recognition of MDA as Israel’s equivalent to the Red Cross, and has withheld $45-million in dues to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, since May 2000.

McElveen-Hunter said that the success of the conference in Geneva was due in large part to a memorandum of understanding and agreement on operational arrangements between MDA and the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Both societies have committed themselves to taking concrete steps to improve humanitarian conditions in these areas.

PALM TRAN GETS STATE & NATIONAL AWARDS

C'MON ABOARD!!!

The 33-year old PalmTran Tri-Rail system continues to be heavily subsidized as Palm Beach County has about 2000 sq ft of real estate to traverse.

The state award was based on the “para-transit” connections, to address the needs of seniors along with disabled and handicapped persons. The Community Transportation Association of America award was for fixed route and para-transit operations, for innovative and creative service to the community along with its responsiveness to customers and community needs.

The CTAA highlighted “the many programs PalmTran offers to the community, the improvement and growth in these programs, and the hard work of the PalmTran Service Board… recognized the strong relationship PalmTran has developed with its customers and the continued efforts of Palm Tran’s staff to improve service, according to Chuck Cohen, PalmTran Executive Director. He continued, “this award recognizes that freedom of mobility that Palm Tran Connection provides to seniors and disabled residents.

PalmTran runs 7 days a week excluding holidays, serving mpre than 3500 bus stops and provides more than 7-million rides per hear. Buses arfe equipped with wheelchair ramps and automatic stop announcement systems. Surveillance cameras and bike racks are on buses. There is also door-to-door service.

CONSTRUCTION PLANNED IN WEST BOCA includes private school, retail center, assisted living

The Board of County Commissioners will hear plans for new construction at the southeast corner of Yamato Road and US 441, at a zoning hearing today (6-22-06). Earlier this month the Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the application of Vangard Development Corp. for Land Design South, Inc. 15 acres of land would be rezoned to a multiple use development district. To the west across 441 is Boca Greens Country Club. The application is on the consent agenda for today.

In June the parcel for the development of the Yamato Courty MUPD was separated from an adjacent piece of land where a development called the Hamptons PUD will be created and an additional two acres has also been set sied for the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Wastewater Pump Station No. 9 North.

Plans for Yamato Court show 45,846 sq ft of commercial retail space, to include a 4000 sq ft financial institution with 2 drive-up lanes, a 14,820 sq ft pharmacy and 20,026 sq ft of general retail sales in four separate buildings. There will be 1000 sq ft in a pedestrian plaza and a 5000 sq ft restaurant. Included would be a 2-story 70,000 sq ft private school for 300 students along with a 19,859 sq ft congregate living facility also made up of 4 buildings. The county’s engineering department estimates that the proposed project will generate 3,105 vehicle trips per day. Five letters were received from the public in opposition to the applications, primarily due to traffic concerns and the loss of a portion of the park site.

The Commission’s recommendation says, “Subject to the required landscaped buffers and the recommended conditions of approval, (county) staff does not anticipate any adverse impacts to the surrounding properties from t request.” Thirty-four conditions were added for the project, including one that prohibits outdoor lighting at the school except for nighttime security lighting.

FAU Trustees Expected to Approve Lease for New Hospital

Florida Atlantic University’s Board of Trustees is expected to approve a lease with Boca Raton Community Hospital that will pave the way for a new teaching hospital on the university’s Boca Raton campus when Trustees meet on June 28th. Approval is also needed from the Florida State Cabinet. The campus is pictured above.

Boca Raton Community Hospital would pay FAU $21.1 million over 10 years to lease land for a new teaching hospital on the school’s main campus, with an option to try to buy the land after all lease payments are made and requires the hospital to work with FAU’s new four-year medical program. The hospital’s lease would be for 68 years, which is the remainder of the 99-year master lease that FAU has with the state and could be renewed when FAU renews its master lease. The property’s estimated value is about $29-million, and FAU agreed to take less because of the benefit to FAU of having a teaching hospital on its campus. The hospital’s rent would help pay for multi-level parking garages at FAU that would take up less space than lots on the ground, but would be more expensive to build.

The medical facility will become a teaching hospital for interns graduating from FAU’s medical program and will continue to provide medical care for residents of the community and the local area.

A 550-bed hospital would be built on 38 acres of vacant land in the southeast section of the Boca Raton campus along Glades Road, with construction scheduled for completion by 2011, according to FAU President Frank Brogan.