Comment on Boca Raton’s Center for Arts and Innovation falls behind on its fundraising goals

Organizers revealed Monday that Boca Raton’s Center for Arts and Innovation — a planned arts-oriented destination featuring many attractions — is millions of dollars behind in fundraising, drawing criticism from city officials. The center, which is intended to be an extensive performing arts center at the north end of Mizner Park, was supposed to have raised more than $50 million by now, in order to be on track, according to city documents. But during a public meeting on Monday afternoon, CEO Andrea Virgin told City Council members that about $32 million has been raised in “documented pledges” from donors, with about $8 million of that in “cash-on-hand” funds. Virgin said “key donors” needed more time, explaining why the fundraising goal hadn’t been met. “This is not a setback, and this is not a result of anyone’s missteps,” she said.