Sanborn Square may get facelift
City council will discuss upgrades
Boca Raton’s Sanborn Square would get a face-lift. There would more places to charge electric cars. And wheelchair users would have an easier time getting around town.
These and more proposals are among talks by Boca council members on how they’ll spend millions in taxpayer money next year.
Residents will get a chance to give their input at a budget hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at City Hall, located at 201 W. Palmetto Park Road.
Sanborn Square
Sanborn Square, located at 72 N. Federal Highway, could get a new performance stage, palm trees, lights and water fountains, the city said. Officials plan to set aside $550,000 for renovations to the 1-acre space.
Officials have said the park has become outdated since it was built nearly three decades ago.
“The stage and park configuration no longer serve the needs for downtown special events and displays,” the city’s proposal said.
The space has become a popular spot for festivals, concerts and yoga classes in recent years.
More electric car charging stations
Boca recently added three new charging stations for electric cars, but officials want to add more.
The proposed budget calls for at least eight more places for electric car owners to recharge at a cost of about $310,000.
Owners would be able to recharge their cars at Spanish River Park, Red Reef Park, South Beach Park, Sand Pine Park, Hillsboro El Rio Park, the Boca police station and code enforcement building and the
city’s auditorium at 6500 Congress Ave.
The proposal comes amid a rise in popularity of electric cars as well as charging stations.
Boca Councilman Robert Weinroth owns an electric vehicle and has been a vocal proponent of the technology.
“I just think it’s important that we start laying the foundations for people who are looking to use electric vehicles,” Weinroth said.
Adding more wheelchair access
Wheelchair users and people with other disabilities would have an easier time getting around town, under a new proposal.
The city’s proposed budget earmarks $900,000 to go into making buildings and other areas compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Improvements would mean more city facilities would have sidewalks and doorways better equipped for people using wheelchairs or who have other physical disabilities.
New signals on street crosswalks would also feature sound signals for residents who are visually impaired.
The city is also mulling a major revamp to its roads and parks system as part of next year’s business.
But before the plans become reality, city council members still have to finalize them as part of the 2017-2018 budget.