RECOMMENDED MASTER PLAN The recommended master plan for Fort Myers’ downtown riverfront redevelopment is the outgrowth of a process that has unfolded over ten months and uncounted conversations, workshops, meetings and public discussions. It represents the best thinking not only of the Redevelopment Team, but of the many stakeholders who have taken part in its creation. The recommended Master Plan is a response to the strong desire of this community to leverage its unique riverfront location and historic, pedestrian oriented city center to create a vibrant downtown that attracts residents, visitors, businesses and investors.
creates a focus for the redevelopment area. Additionally, the expanded use of water creates valuable waterfront locations for the proposed hotel and mixed used developments bringing important commercial activity to downtown Fort Myers’ River District.
WATERFRONT Public access to the waterfront is at the forefront of the redevelopment master plan. Beginning with a redeveloped waterfront in Centennial Park, a boardwalk helps extend river access past the environmentally sensitive mangroves. The The core idea of the master plan is a two-directional armature of public space new basin is of course lined with a promenade, and City Pier engages more that ties the entire riverfront together in an east-west direction (assuming that actively with the river because of this basin and the addition of new dining the river is north), and, perpendicular to this, ties the riverfront to the rest of and amusement facilities planned for the pier. An expanded marina provides downtown along the key connection at Hendry Street. To this armature all additional slips for leased and transient boating, and the redevelopment of the proposed development, redevelopment and public improvements are Edwards Drive will create a stronger pedestrian promenade along the south edge connected, creating important synergies among the various commercial, cultural of the yacht basin. The redesigned and expanded waterfront serves as a central and civic anchors. Highlights of the master plan are briefly outlined as follows. civic amenity that has broad appeal for a diverse community and allows people to experience this unique location whether they are cruising the Caloosahatchee, PUBLIC REALM just strolling through the district, visiting a particular business or attending an As mentioned above, the cruciform armature of Edwards Drive and Hendry Street event. is the primary public space in the redeveloped River District. This armature is reinforced by special paving patterns and streetscaping that is a level above CONNECTIVITY the already excellent landscaping achieved by the downtown utility and street Throughout the planning process, emphasis has been placed on making better improvement project. The intent is to redefine these streets as major pedestrian connections: between river and downtown, between attractions, and between thoroughfares, inviting citizens and visitors to explore the riverfront and the rest of downtown and the larger metropolitan area. The recommended master plan Fort Myers’ historic downtown as an understandable, cohesive experience. responds by reinforcing the city grid, dispersing parking resources around and A redeveloped Centennial Park is shown as part of the enhanced public realm. Better access to the riverfront, more active and passive areas for recreation and entertainment, and planned utilization of open space for Harborside related events, as well as fairs, festivals and open markets will allow Centennial Park to serve as a vital civic anchor that draws residents and visitors alike to this central destination. Another significant component of the redesigned public realm is the addition of a water basin that more effectively ties downtown Fort Myers to the river. This basin, which has the added benefit of serving to treat stormwater runoff in the vicinity, creates a strong visual link between the river and Bay Street, and is visible from First Street. The basin helps to identify City Pier as a peninsula, and
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Master Plan Summary
at the edges of the redevelopment area to encourage pedestrian activity, and making explicit links to planned transit developments along First Street. The integration of a trolley system for more local use as well as the inclusion of biking and walking paths will only enhance this connectivity and expand the districts appeal as a regional destination for residents and visitors alike. HARBORSIDE EVENT CENTER The master plan anticipates the expansion of Harborside Event Center in two ways. On site expansion will include new meeting space and dedicated ballroom space to help the Center compete more effectively for regional and national events. A major expansion to the west, across Monroe Street, will provide needed exhibition space, and will also serve as a spectator venue for entertainment events, drawing more people to Fort Myers’ riverfront. The
expanded Center serves as an important economic catalyst for the downtown by bringing visitors to the area who will drive demand for downtown Fort Myers’ goods and services, allow for the development of the proposed hotel and waterfront restaurants, and increase business opportunities locally. MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT A significant block (‘D’ in the plan) is shown developed as a mixed-use project with ground-floor retail and restaurants, structured parking, and upper floors containing offices or other appropriate uses. This development will add much needed activity and population to the River District, making it more active by day and more attractive in the evening. With vital frontage along Hendry Street, the D Block development will create a critical commercial link to the existing historic downtown business district to drive demand for future ground floor retail and restaurant users. Similar mixed use development is planned to occur, over time, in the blocks east of Jackson as the redevelopment area matures. PHASING AND IMPLEMENTATION The general flow of redevelopment will be from west to east. The blocks labeled E and F in the master plan will likely be the last to be redeveloped. The future of the former Ambassador hotel is unclear at this time, and resolution of the challenges surrounding this property may be some years away. Fortunately, the plan is conceived in such a way that given the proper balance of public and private investment, the development area will appear “complete” at the end of any phase and allow each phase of development to succeed on that basis. Details of the phasing and implementation plan can be found behind the 5th section of this document, labeled “Implementation Plan”. The purpose of this section is to provide detail regarding the uses proposed within the redevelopment including their physical, financial and market feasibility, conceptual programming as well as prospective phasing. Pursuant to the implementation plan, the Riverfront Redevelopment Team identifies the critical initial public and private development necessary to provide vitality to the above described armature and assure the natural succession of the redevelopment plan in full through its final phase.
August 19, 2009