Waterfront Park Project Moves to Next Phase

It’s been called the “crown jewel of the city” by Mayor Joe Ayoub and a terrific addition to the city’s park system by most every resident we’ve spoken to.

Now, after many months of meetings, proposals and planning, the city is set to start opening the waterfront park nearly a year after it purchased the 13-acre property from the Safety Harbor Spa & Resort for $2.7 million in February.

On Monday night the city commission approved the fourth version of the concept proposals, which was a combination of the three previous plans submitted by the steering committee as well as public input on the project. 

“The concept plan responds to the community's desire for a mostly passive greenbelt park that takes advantage of its waterfront setting,” Community Planner Ana Mena said.

“The City will take a phased approach to its implementation with the immediate focus being placed on preparing the property for public use.” 

The phased approach was discussed in detail during the meeting on Monday. 

Phase 1 includes: removing the invasive vegetation in the wetlands; making improvements to public parking and trail access ways; opening up the lawn for events; and adding a band shell/stage, pavilions and a canoe/kayak launch.

Phase 2 calls for every aspect of Phase 1, plus: implementing a pedestrian boardwalk; adding shaded plaza space near the pier; adding terraced seating down to the water’s edge; and adding a children’s splash pad.

Want to read more about development and other local issues? Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!

These two phases could be implemented individually, or, as Mayor Ayoub suggested, combined into one project. 

“I support concept four, but I think we should look at implementing phases one and two simultaneously,” he said.

City manager Matt Spoor said that could be accomplished if the commission chose to do so since the master plan, cost estimates and budgeting for the first two phases will be done together.

“Each phase is independent of each other,” he said. “It will move as quickly as this commission wants it to move. You tell us how quickly you want us to move forward with any portion of this.” 

Phase III will not be included in the initial estimates, because it is the most complex and involved portion of the proposal.

In addition to incorporating Phase I & II, the third phase calls for day docks, a building facility and extended plaza space. 

Mayor Ayoub made it clear during the meeting and prior to taking over that getting the park open to the public is his top priority for 2013.

“One of my biggest priorities over the next year is to get it open,” he said recently. “We used taxpayers dollars to purchase the property for the public, it’s time to get it open and let them use it.” 

According to Mena, the next step is to prepare the cost and budget information to be presented to the commission in March.

“This project has been assigned a high priority and staff members from all departments will be working diligently this year to bring the first phase to fruition.”