Palm Beach County is laying the groundwork for growth around the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter on one of the largest commercial development sites in South Florida.
The 863-acre Briger site in Palm Beach Gardens is just south of
Scripps’ year-old campus. As part of the nearly $500 million state and
county investment in support of the nonprofit, Scripps is seeking the
right to build 1.6 million square feet on 70 acres of that site. The
rest of the property, controlled by the Lester family, is seeking
zoning for 2.6 million square feet of biotechnology space, 1.2 million
square feet of office space, 300 hotel rooms, 500,000 square feet of
retail space and 2,700 homes.
As part of the development of regional impact (DRI) process, the
county determined that this much development on the Briger site would
require $22.2 million in traffic improvements to nearby roads. The
county agreed to fund about 20 percent of that, with the Lester family
supporting the rest.
Assistant County Administrator Shannon LaRocque said it’s crucial
that Scripps is able to build its Phase II facility, even if the
Lesters aren’t ready to go forward with their projects. So, the county
agreed to immediately spend $6 million for roadwork on the Donald Ross
Road/Interstate 95 interchange. It would be reimbursed by impact fees
from future development, she said.
