Kick-starting North Federal Highway improvements

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

During Councilwoman Susan Haynie’s first tenure, she led the effort to develop a plan to breathe new life into North Federal Highway.

After a two-year hiatus, she’s back on the city’s legislative board. And she wants to get the effort moving again.

A floundering of interest in sprucing up the corridor isn’t just Haynie’s opinion. During the 2008 city election, both she and council hopeful Al Travasos pointed out the need to get North Federal Highway back on track.

Haynie told the Boca Raton News the future of North Federal Highway really lies with the development of Levitz Plaza.  Several years ago, the City Council approved project that would turn the old strip plaza into a combination of commercial, retail and housing.
The Levitz Plaza building was to come down, and the 20-acre parcel was to be turned into a Mizner Park-like community called North Boca Village.

Caldwell Theatre got a new building in the process.

A new plan for the property is coming, Haynie said, but doesn’t know what it will be.  She said the fate of Levitz Plaza now rests in the hands of local developer Art Falcone. The Boca Raton News was unable to reach him for comment.

But according to Haynie, his new plan should be coming before city officials soon.  “We expect a revised site plan in May,” she said.

Haynie, with help from neighbors and colleagues on the City Council, create a series of “charrette” meetings to come up with guidelines for the future of North Federal Highway.  At the time, the road was made up largely of strip shopping centers, furniture stores and empty buildings.

The “charrette” or guide to development offered ideas for road, median, sidewalk and other types of amenities.

The North Federal Steering Committee continues to meeting; in fact, it was scheduled to gather Tuesday evening.

On a brighter note, Haynie mentioned that the New Pines Neighborhood off North Federal Highway is in line for a facelift. And on an even brighter note, she pointed out that funding is available.

The work will include improvements to the neighborhood’s infrastructure and to Sand Pine Park.

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