By Marci Shatzman
Mayor Scott Singer mentioned Boca Raton’s “largest financial commitment” in his reaction to the proposed performing arts center’s announcement it was dissolving its agreement with the city after receiving an extension to comply. The Center for Arts and Innovation sent a letter to the city and a press release to the media today, Jan. 8, explaining the pullout and the reasons why, emphasizing it would “explore alternatives” in the future.
“As Boca Raton is a haven for arts and culture, the City took pride in making the largest financial commitment for the bold vision for the Center for Arts and Innovation through the generous agreement for them to use publicly owned, prime downtown real estate,” Mayor Scott Singer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the Center did not reach the financial milestones that they had pledged to meet by the timeline needed for our residents. We appreciate their continuing efforts to enhance culture as they explore additional opportunities, as well as the commitment of many Boca Raton residents to our community’s broad philanthropic pursuits.”
Here’s the entire press release sent by the center’s public relations firm:
The Center for Arts & Innovation has announced its decision to terminate its Development Agreement and Lease with the City of Boca Raton, following careful reflection and deliberation by its Board of Directors. This decision, which was unanimously approved by The Center’s Board, comes after months-long discussions with the City to revise terms of the agreement, which proved increasingly challenging since its adoption two years ago.
In a letter delivered to the City on January 8th, The Center outlined its rationale for termination, stating that the original structure of the agreement no longer reflects the operational realities or the expectations of key stakeholders. Specifically, The Center highlighted challenges with fundraising timelines, the need for public sector funding assurances, uncertainty around development rights, and milestone structures. These challenges limited The Center’s ability to align the project’s structure with industry norms and donor expectations.
The Center made this decision to provide the necessary time, space, and opportunity for both parties to potentially identify whether a new agreement can be reached in the future, one with new terms that can be agreeable to both The Center and the City. At the same time, this allows The Center to begin analyzing alternative sites to ensure its transformative vision becomes a reality.
“As someone born and raised in Boca Raton, I have wanted to make sure The Center would call Boca Raton home and that it could be the cultural destination that fulfills Mizner Park’s original vision,” said Andrea Virgin, Chair, CEO, and Capital Donor of The Center for Arts & Innovation. “While this decision to terminate our agreement with the City was not made lightly, it reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that this transformative vision is fully realized one day in the future. The Center’s purpose, mission, and progress to date – remain unshaken. Together with our donors and partners, we will bring this project to life – whether in Boca Raton or another site that also shares our aspirations for success.”
While The Center originally proposed the project in Boca Raton and has actively pursued this opportunity to benefit the community and South Florida region, its vision and the value of the work produced to date are not tied to a specific site. The Center will begin actively exploring alternative locations and sites while remaining open to re-engaging with Boca Raton to secure a new agreement if possible.
The Board remains committed to realizing The Center’s transformative vision and ensuring it becomes a vital resource for the region and beyond, working with stakeholders and partners to deliver a financially viable and transformative project that reflects the needs of the community it will ultimately serve.
“The Center for Arts and Innovation is exactly what every community needs,” said former Boca Raton Deputy Mayor, Andrea O’Rourke. “I have advocated for The Center since its inception, given that its founding principles embody the essential elements to cultivate a thriving arts and culture ecosystem in any community. Although The Center is embarking on a new journey, I am hopeful that The City will work toward solutions for this incredible opportunity to remain in Boca Raton. I know that no matter where The Center calls home, it will have a profound impact on both its community and the broader region.”
“As a decades-long Boca Raton resident and someone directly involved in the creation of Mizner Park, the opportunity to finally realize its original vision through The Center is what inspired our support,” said Dick Schmidt of the Schmidt Family Foundation. “It is unfortunate that the City was unable to resolve the issues needed to establish a stronger foundation for fulfilling this promise to Boca residents. While I remain hopeful The Center might stay in Boca, wherever it is ultimately built will undoubtedly benefit from its transformative impact.”
“As a Palm Beach County resident, business executive, as well as a supporter and participant in the arts, I believe in the power of ongoing education that builds on arts, culture, technology, and innovation,” says Paul Block, Senior Advisor to Fortune 100 CEOs and former Chairman and CEO of Revlon. “The Center for Arts and Innovation is still at the beginning of its journey. As the newest member to its Board, I recognize that The Center has boundless opportunities to provide engagement in the arts and act as a home for innovation for the benefit of all of the residents of Palm Beach County.”