History
Describe the history of the land and key milestones in the development of the open space.
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, located on the west bank of the Hillsborough River, was once the center of a cigar factory community known as Roberts City. A working class neighborhood in 1909, it was home to hundreds of families of Italians, Cubans, African Americans, Bahamians and Caucasians. By 1960 the cigar factories were gone, the residents had moved on, an interstate divided the community and the buildings were demolished.
Physical space and design
Describe the physical space in more detail. Describe the sub-spaces and their relationship to one another.
Civitas Inc. was the prime consultant, leading all community outreach, programming, and design through implementation. The full design team involved all the disciplines needed to design a complex, marine waterfront park including major structures, buildings, etc. The firm used a sensitive approach to redesign the park to meet the needs and aspirations of the local community.
Other Awards and Recognitions
Please list other awards and recognition this open space has received. If the project has received an award from ULI at the local, national, regional, or global level, you must note that here.
2019 Best Projects Award, Landscape/Uran Development, Engineering News Record
Primary Designer(s)
If multiple designers, please separate their names with a semicolon. Example: Open Space Studio; Parks + Parks
Civitas, Inc.; W Architecture & Landscape Architecture LLC
2. Use
Do people use it intensively on a regular basis? Does it act as a destination for a broad spectrum of users throughout the year? Please describe the users and how they use the space.
The boathouse is home to 5 high school rowing teams, 3 dragon boat teams and a community rowing program. Over 300 rowers and paddlers descend upon the docks every weekday afternoon and evening for practice. Local summer camps bring children to play at the playground/splash pad. Basketball courts are used all day long. The tennis courts are full every evening and we could have built twice as many pickleball courts. The main walkways in the park are part of the West Riverwalk that will make regional trail connections when completed in the future.
6. Innovation
Does it demonstrate innovation – in design, financing, programming, partnerships, or otherwise? Please describe.
The park design included moving the seawall back into the park to bring the river closer to the people. This also created a quiet water cover that allowed kayak and paddle board renters a calm area to practice their skills before heading out into the river. The road, Laurel St., on the north side of the park cut off about 2 acres of land from the main park proper so we pick it up and moved it over, adding those acres to the park. We re-purposed the wood from trees that were removed and made dog park features and benches.
10. Economic Impact
Has it had a positive economic impact on its surrounding communities? Please describe.
The park project was an investment that was identified in a two year planning process for the West Tampa Plan. That plan itself, and the park, resulted from Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s participation as a ULI Rose fellow. The area was the focus of the Rose Fellowship which identified the combined need to eliminate blighted housing, upgrade public housing, restore worn infrastructure, and to create the park as a signal and catalyst to reinvestment while achieving equity for local people.
13. Community Engagement
Did its planning include substantive public engagement of all relevant stakeholders? Please describe.
To gain public input into the project we conducted the largest public outreach effort in the department's history. Consultants and staff met one on one with small groups of 91 stakeholders on 2 occasions to gather their ideas and concerns about the project. The consultant team went door to door within the surrounding community, mailed out postcards to all property owners within a 1/2 mile of the park, put up posters in local businesses and churches and adds in the community newspapers to encourage attendance at one of the 5 public meetings.
14. Health
Does it promote the physical and/or mental health of its surrounding communities? Please describe.
The park provides multiple ways for the community to enjoy the out of doors and exercise. Basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor fitness equipment for seniors, and football/soccer field provides active recreation. A wide accessible sidewalk system provides safe walking and jogging opportunities. The quiet respite of the oak allee and river promenade provide a serene setting for relaxation and contemplation. The terraced lawn provides a facility for those interested in a more strenuous workout!
16. Sustainability and Resilience
Does it support environmental sustainability and/or resilience to climate change or peak weather events? Does it encourage resource efficiency or provide new or enhance existing green infrastructure? Please describe.
The east side of the park sits on the Hillsborough River. The seawalls along this edge were design to take into consideration future sea level rise and how it would impact the park and building. Living shorelines were placed in two locations along the seawall, providing habitat for marsh vegetation and marine animals. All lighting in the park is LED and baffle boxes incorporated into the stormwater system filter our oils and trash before they enter the river. The irrigation system is computer controlled, monitors rainfall and line breaks and shuts down if not needed.
17. Conservation and Nature
Does it include or enhance access to nature? Does it protect critical habitat, ecosystems services, or other resources? Does it promote stewardship? Please describe.
Over 60% of the existing trees on site were retained or relocated. Over 600 trees were planted back on the site and over 95% were native to Florida. Marsh habitat was created in the living shoreline along the river's edge. A large bat house was placed along the river on the north east corner of the property to support the bat population that live under the adjacent bridge.
