May 31, 2006
Citizens’ Master Plan a Blueprint for Revitalization
By Roger Kress, President, TEAM Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda
is showing real signs of recovery from that life-altering event
called Hurricane Charley. Springing up from emptied lots downtown
and around town is new life in the community – new projects that
herald the city’s physical renewal.
Things
really are beginning to happen. Although some projects are still on
the drawing board, others are in various stages of construction.
They may be just about ready for that interesting exterior paint or
maybe the construction crane still looms silently on the lot while
last minute preparations are completed. But TEAM Punta Gorda wants
to acknowledge those who chose to make their new projects consistent
with the design principles of the Citizens’ Master Plan by
presenting them with our TEAM Punta Gorda Citizens’ Master
Plan Design Award.
The
Citizens’ Master Plan is the product of extraordinary effort and
extensive consultation with citizens, stakeholders and public
officials who came together after the storm. Many saw that in
nature’s destruction lay the seeds of opportunity to transform Punta
Gorda into something even better than it was. The Citizens’ Master
Plan contains suggestions to help guide the rebuilding of greater
Punta Gorda into a more attractive, vital city while maintaining its
singular charm. We want the community to know that their efforts in
developing the Citizens’ Master Plan are now being fulfilled.
This new
Design Award can be displayed on the construction site as the
project is built, while a more permanent display plaque and letter
of recognition will be presented when the project is complete. We
are reviewing projects right now and will continue to do so. We
want to point out that the nomination process for the Design Award
is an open one.
The
Citizens’ Master Plan suggests incorporating architectural
guidelines such as these into new projects:
-
Vertical articulation (an interesting skyline)
-
Horizontal setbacks (a multiple series of offsets, subject to
the building’s size)
-
Utilization of glass (to better integrate the project with
passers-by)
-
Pedestrian-friendliness (achieved through appropriate scale,
unencumbered access, and nearness to parking facilities)
-
Concealed parking (as much as possible, hidden from public view)
-
Mixed-use (ground floor - retail / upper levels - business or
residential use)
For the
downtown area, the Citizens’ Master Plan envisions a place where
people go to meet other people, enjoy the waterfront, browse and
shop, dine and attend events. It recommends architecture and
composition that makes the downtown a destination, encouraging
people to come and stay for awhile
It seems
like August 2004 was a very long time ago. Gaping holes remain in
our cityscape. That will change in time. But in the meantime, we
want to applaud those who are building, in mortar and stone, the
pieces of a vision of Punta Gorda’s future.
