Title
Depot Park Program - Approval of Depot Park Implementation Documents (B)
This item requests approval of four implementation documents related to the construction of Depot Park, which were approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency on April 19, 2010.
Explanation
Constructing the vision for Depot Park is rapidly falling into place. This agenda item is a summary of the work underway to complete construction plans for Phase 1, a summary of work recently completed concerning Depot Avenue and stormwater recommendations, and a recommendation to approve four important planning documents prior to finalizing the park construction plans. The documents relate to both park improvements and the rehabilitation of the Depot Building:
1. 90% Park Master Plan
2. Park Design and Technical Standards
3. 30% Phase 1 park Design Development drawings
4. 95% Depot Building Rehabilitation Plans
Master Plan: As of March 2010, Carol R. Johnson Associates (CRJA) completed the 90% plan containing the organizing principle and primary features for creating Gainesville's soon-to-be-constructed flagship park. The remaining 10% will allow the CRA and the Public Works Department to finalize some coordination details concerning areas adjacent to the stormwater plan. Throughout the 90% Master Plan runs the theme of sustainability. Developing a sustainable design ethos is approached by first seizing on the 35-acre site's industrial history, railroad legacy, and role in restoring Paynes Prairie. The 90% Master Plan reveals these characteristics in the park design and considerable effort was made to create functional and sustainable features from them. For example, the park's industrial and railroad history provides the two remnant rail corridors that cross the site. These corridors will become new multi-use paths that will connect to existing rails-to-trails. The paths will arc across Depot Park under canopy trees along historic rail alignments in view of the restored Depot ...
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