We were pleased to have Mayor Scott Singer speak to our Club at Sugar Sand Park. It was great to be meeting again in person. 
Here are some notes from Scott’s talk:
  • Boca has a population of 100,000 people with a median age of around 45 and an average household income of $80,938.
  • He reported on the pandemic and distribution of vaccines:
    • Learned a lot about collaboration and response
    • They had very few initial access to only 200 vaccinations
    • Shifted toward the private sector and greatly expanded
  • How great this city is
    • 2,000+ city employees
    • Roads and parks are well maintained
    • First responders did a great job but if one got Covid-19, then the entire group was shut down which added stress to the system
    • Very low infection rate compared to other areas
    • Great support from the community
  • Results of goal setting process that was just finished
    • Significant migration of people from NY, California and other areas
    • Caused increased pressure on home prices but drop in inventory
    • Working now on improving above and below ground infrastructure
  • We are known for being a high tech hub starting from the creation of the IBM PC in the 1980s, now BRIC as well as FAU Tech Runway
    • Miami Mayor Frances Suarez seeing a migration of firms from California as well as a number of startups
    • Lots of private equity in the area as well as hedge funds and financial services
  • Discussed roads and traffic
    • The high throughput ‘merging diamond’ traffic lanes at Glades and I-95 will reduce left hand turns and increase throughput as well as flashing yellow lights to help as well.
    • Managing traffic from West Boca area – have to contend with it especially for access to the beaches.
    • Building ‘last mile’ service to the Brightline station and associated parking – opening in 2022
    • Talking to the Boring Company for Miami to Ft. Lauderdale to Boca to West Palm Beach
    • Building more connections to A1A, e.g. Clint Moore extension and other areas where roads dead end.
  • Recreation
    • Boca Country Club to the city for golf – will be putting in $12 million to upgrade the course; working with the parks and recreation to discuss tennis (coordination with them)
    • Improving the park trails – connecting the trails for better access
    • The Boca Raton Center for the Arts – going to provide a land lease while they raise $135 million for construction of a center in the Mizner amphitheater park area.
    • Improving the intercoastal waterways and pedestrian walkways
    • FAU building 4,000 more dorm rooms
    • Discussion of the Wildflower park – improvements and not over budget as reported – moving funds to cover it.
  • Managing growth for the years to come
    • Migrating warehouses to retail
    • Integrating FAU into the city’s master plan over multiple years
    • Keeping taxes (relatively) low