Page 13 - Imagine Clearwater Proposal Digital

Project Understanding
In order to ensure various existing park elements (the marina and band shell) remain functional during construction, development of a detailed construction phasing plan will be needed. The RFQ and the preliminary master plan identify the anticipated phasing of the Imagine Clearwater project. Phase I will include converting Drew Street to a promenade, the redevelopment of the Blu Walk North of Cleveland Street, the Coachman Garden, enhancements to the ac- cess of the Intracoastal Waterway, and the creation of the Civic Gateway. Phase II will include the redevelopment of the Blu Walk South of Cleveland Street and the creation of the park estuary.
Promenade along Drew Street
Creating a promenade along Drew Street provides many assets to the park improvements. It encourages pe- destrian and bicycle circulation to the park and along the waterfront, creat- ing connections to the existing Pinellas Trail. The promenade will activate the water’s edge and accentuate the wa- ter vistas. Spots along the promenade should be designed to encourage visi- tors to congregate and to take sel es, helping to “spread the word” about the park and brand it. The sequencing of the construction must be considered to allow continuous access to the Ma- rina. Marina visitors will be utilizing the
promenade while the remainder of the park is under construction, so safety devices such as fencing must be considered. The fencing should be consid- ered a design opportunity instead of an obstruction. Renderings of the future
park “teasing” viewers, City logos and
other dynamic graphics could be print-
ed on the fencing to provide an inter-
esting element to the promenade while
providing safety during park construc-
tion. WGI’s Creative Services Division
specializes in providing marketing and
branding for numerous municipal clients and will help develop the imagery of the construction fencing.
Blu Walk North of Cleveland Street
Blu Walk North of Cleveland Street
will provide the connection between
the adjacent developments and the
park elements. This will also be one
of the major north-south connec-
tions for pedestrians and bicyclists
traversing the park. The design of
the corridor should include nodes
for vendors, and places for people
to stop, rest, and enjoy the scenic
vistas, as well as facilities for bicy-
clists and dog walkers, such as drinking fountains. The planning of this cor- ridor needs to include thought as to how the wide variety of users traveling the walkway will interface with each other and the programmed nodes along the walkway. Tables and benches should be located near vendor locations, but still provide adequate room to meet for ADA requirements and general comfort for users walking along the walkway. The Blu Walk also provides connections to the Library, the Harborview site and the Civic Gateway. The design of the walkway, including the hardscape, needs to be sensitive to those surrounding aesthetics. The design should also provide a pattern that reinforces the designed circulation along the walkway, and that helps to de ne the programmed node spaces.
imagineclearwater DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING SERVICES 3 project approach | page 12