Downtown parking a priority at Boca leaders’ goal-setting meeting

BOCA RATON — A new downtown parking garage, improved communications with residents and a plan to upgrade city campuses and waterfront facilities topped the list of priorities laid out by Boca Raton leaders during their annual three-day goal setting workshop held Tuesday, Wednes- day and Thursday.

With input from staff and residents, the city holds the annual event to lay out prerogatives for the next year. They came up with five main concerns, which include: a corporate communications proposal; ideas for a downtown parking garage; a comprehensive waterfront plan; improving the development process and a master plan to modernize and add to city- owned facilities.

The scarcity of parking in the city’s popular downtown was also a running theme during the sessions.

“Mizner Park has become such a success and the ampitheatre really doesn’t have its own parking. When we have an event and invite 5,000 people, we really have an issue,” said Mayor Susan Haynie.

But due to resistance from near- by residents, addressing that need may be easier said than done.

“A downtown garage may be the hardest to accomplish,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Weinroth.

Weinroth noted that additional parking may run contrary to the city’s vision of encouraging alternative modes of transportation such as biking and walking, which were among the items he thinks were not discussed enough.

“It’s not getting the attention it requires and deserves,” he added.

Another top prerogative was enhancing the way the city interacts with the public by looking into adding a public relations representative to the city’s employee roster.

“I think communication with our residents has been an issue for