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2013 Award of Honor - Pompano Beach Streetscape and Dune Enhancement
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Project Category: Open Space
Project Name: Pompano Beach Streetscape and Dune Enhancement
Project Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
Date of Completion: April 2013
Landscape Architect: Paul D. Kissinger, FASLA, PLAEDSA, Inc.
Owner: City of Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA)- (CRA Management Agent)
Landscape Contractor: Burkhardt Construction / Valley Crest
Changing a blighted beachfront environment
into a public resort destination was the challenge of the landscape architect
in Pompano Beach. Until recently, the City of Pompano Beach and their East
Community Redevelopment Agency had been unsuccessful in the revitalization of
their beachfront. The City had not effectively
capitalized on their most significant natural resource – the beach. With new leadership at the City and the
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the landscape architect created and
executed a new vision for the ? of a mile of the beachfront corridor. The purpose of the project was to stimulate
activity along the beach and craft an oceanfront pedestrian promenade, vibrant
and uniquely branded, for residents and tourists.
As one of the most strategic initiatives in the City, the project included a variety of stakeholders and consensus building meetings for those with a vested interest in the revitalization. Key initiatives included beach dune enhancements, pedestrian improvements along the east and west side of Pompano Beach Boulevard, an exercise trail and fitness park, passive parks and playground upgrades, landscape beautification, lighting and site furnishings, beachfront parking, and pedestrian plazas. The project also addressed necessary infrastructure improvements to support the Pompano Pier Development.
Additionally, the landscape architects needed to satisfy all of the permitting requirements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Fish and Wildlife, before anything could be implemented, including the arduous turtle lighting requirements as the beachfront serves as an urban edge to the community. The main design component was the creation of a contemporary beachfront promenade, composed of a monolithic surface. The landscape architect designed a white concrete promenade, with exposed glass aggregate and shell aggregate. The location of the street palm trees and light fixtures were critical to the design of the promenade as they were utilized to create the spacing for the score joints and paving patterns integrated into the concrete.
Previously, the beachfront consisted of a narrow sidewalk, more than 12-foot-wide lanes in both directions, and a parking lot at the terminus of Atlantic Boulevard. The landscape architect developed a streetscape program that expanded the narrow sidewalk into a 17-foot promenade and created a great lawn plaza with an interactive water feature. The roadway was reconfigured with angled parking and ten-foot-wide lanes which transformed the corridor into a pedestrian-friendly environment, with a focus on walking and strolling. With car speeds along the corridor dramatically reduced, the family atmosphere and social interaction has been greatly enhanced. Additionally, the landscape architect incorporated a 1.2 mile walking trail with markers and an outdoor fitness area. The fitness area is located next to a completely refurbished playground designed for small children.
In many areas the dune was non-existent and non-native species had invaded the beachfront. This project restored and stabilized 2,800 linear feet of beach dune along the existing, publicly-accessible, municipal beachfront. Enhanced dune plantings and native vegetation helped reestablish the primary dune. In addition construction of dune over walks established ADA compliant access at gateway portals. The restored dune is 3.5 feet high with a width at the base of 30 feet providing storm protection, plant and animal habitat, and shading from beachfront lighting. Environmentally, the project had an overall reduction in paving surfaces and an increase in native salt tolerant landscape, including a focus on adding the overall amount of dune vegetation to help grow and maintain the primary dune.
Today, the beach, with all its amenities, cohesive design palate and environmental restoration enhancements has become a greater family destination for residents and tourists by improving the overall health of the community and offering a safe place for community engagement.
Credits:
Survey/Civil Engineers: Keith and Associates
Architecture: Bermello Ajamil & Partners
Coastal Engineering and Permitting Services: Coastal Planning and Engineering
Structural Engineering: TRC Worldwide
Irrigation: Sweeney & Associates
Geo-Technical Engineer: Testing Lab of Palm Beaches
Traffic Engineer: Reynolds Smith and Hills
Cost Estimating: Construction Management Services (CMS)
Fountain Design: Hall Fountains
Contractors: Burkhardt Construction