Developers have their eyes on a 77-acre patch of land adjacent to Interstate 95 near the Spanish River Boulevard entrance on Florida Atlantic University’s north side of campus for a massive mixed-use development project.
Boca Raton-based developer Penn-Florida Co. plans to execute the University Village project, which is not affiliated with FAU and will include retail, residential, office, and hotel space. At Tuesday night’s Boca Raton Community Appearance Board meeting, residents voiced concerns that the project could increase congestion in neighboring communities.
Some college students view the project as an avenue to attract more interest to the university, while others have raised concerns about traffic and potential impacts on wildlife. “With the student population increasing and Boca already being a hot spot, traffic will absolutely get worse, especially during the construction,” Juliana Soto, a senior biology major, told the University Press. She said she isn’t sure how traffic will play out once the development is built and questioned why this area was chosen over other locations in Boca Raton.
Soto launched a petition this year aimed at drawing attention to the preservation of burrowing owls and other wildlife on campus, as the university continues to grow. The university is currently constructing a new dormitory, set to open in 2026, and planning other multi-use developments for the near future. “Many Florida residents, including myself, take pride in our green lands,” she said, noting that construction for the University Village project could harm the wildlife that currently lives on the land.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the developers stated that they plan to preserve as many trees and as much of the site’s natural architecture as possible, particularly as a buffer between the project and the neighboring community. Rick Coffin, senior vice president of development for Penn-Florida Companies, told the University Press that the next steps after the meeting are to present the proposal to Boca Raton’s Planning and Zoning Board and then to the City Council for final approval. He said that once approved, construction typically takes about two years.
Bonnie Miskel, who spoke on behalf of the developers at the meeting, stated that the project is targeted toward “youth and the young at heart,” but not any single group. “It’s not necessarily designed to serve FAU, but there’s no reason why there wouldn’t be students here,” Miskel said. She added that the project offers a neighborhood feel with many resources at residents’ fingertips and is planned as a “live, work, and play community,” something she said Boca Raton lacks outside of downtown areas such as Mizner Park.
Enrique Toro-Mendez, secretary of the FAU Boca Raton House of Representatives, stated that the community should account for growth driven by the university’s increased exposure and the rising number of students. “I think ultimately this project is going to provide job opportunities in the community as well as serve very well for the university’s long-term growth long after we’re gone,” said Toro-Mendez.
