Bicentennial Square vision plan provides roadmap to enliven downtown space
For years, community members have been discussing ways to enhance the underutilized space along Jefferson Street outside of City Hall. There lies an opportunity to transform the space into an area that offers a memorable, welcoming impression of Tallahassee’s downtown.
In early 2024, KCCI’s volunteer Community Catalyst team set out to engage the community and identify a way to improve downtown while also celebrating Tallahassee’s Bicentennial.
Community Input
The 2024 KCCI “Tally 200” volunteer team has gathered community input over the past eight months on ways to provide an engaging experience of our downtown through Bicentennial Square, a park commemorating our city’s 200th anniversary.
This year’s project seeks to transform an underutilized area, central to the seats of both city and state government, into a safe and well-lit park using design features that invite downtown visitors to rest, relax, and connect.
Tally 200 Catalysts sharing the Community Input Survey with Springtime Tallahassee race participants on April 4, 2024
Public spaces have a profound impact on the communities they serve. The volunteer Tally 200 team continues to prioritize community feedback to ensure Bicentennial Square meets the needs of our citizens and represents the city’s bright spirit.
Tally 200 Catalysts asking for input about Bicentennial Square at the Ten-Year CRA Downtown Strategic Investment Plan Workshop on April 17, 2024
Surveying more than 450 community members from March-April 2024 about what the park could be, the team found:
- 81.8% think connections between individuals and small groups of people should be emphasized
- 54.2% want an artistic shade canopy
- 80.4% of participants indicated that integrated Tallahassee’s history into the park is somewhat important to very important
- 82.5% of participants indicated that public restrooms at the park are somewhat important to very important
- Top 2 features motivating participants to visit the park were natural green space with flora/fauna and seating options
To gain even more community input, the team engaged with the Tallahassee community at more than 15 local events including Springtime Tallahassee and Word of South. The Catalyst team also held more than 50 meetings with key stakeholders including downtown business areas and local nonprofit organizations.
Collaborative Process
Utilizing community feedback and working with AIA Tallahassee, the volunteer Catalysts developed a comprehensive vision plan for Bicentennial Square. The plan outlines a phased approach to implementing the park and demonstrates collaboration with community partners.
The vision plan offers detailed strategies for transforming the area into a vibrant and welcoming destination for Tallahassee residents, visitors of all ages, businesses, and elected officials. The park can ultimately improve safety and entice people to linger in our downtown, catalyzing economic activity.
Conceptual draft rendering of colonnade lighting along City Hall
Guiding design principles for Bicentennial Square are driven by community input received over the past eight months. These principles will encourage people to connect with nature, each other, and Tallahassee’s collective past and co-created future:
1. Connection: Provides for deeper, authentic connection to other places and people in Tallahassee.
Supported design elements include Signage and Wayfinding, Experience Zones, and Seating and Gathering.
2. Activation: Supports programs, events, and everyday activities to enliven downtown so the space is a co-created place where diverse people can come together.
Supported design elements include Flexible Space Provisions, Iconic Sculptural Anchors, and Seating and Gathering.
3. Art: Supports public art and increases natural beauty and placemaking in Downtown Tallahassee.
Supported design elements include an Iconic Look and Feel, Lighting Displays, and Integrated Public Art Moments.
4. History/Future: Builds on the collective history of Tallahassee by celebrating diverse stories to reimagine and preserve historic elements in the space.
Supported design elements include a repurposed Millenium Walkway and Signage and Wayfinding.
5. Nature: Preserves and restores the nature of Tallahassee in an efficient and sustainable way while providing a connection between our urban fabric and the natural environment.
Supported design elements include a Planting Experience and Protecting Site Assets.
6. Welcome: Improves belonging and safety for a variety of diverse users through inclusive site design.
Supported design elements include Experience Zones.
Next Steps
While the complete build-out of Bicentennial Square will span several years, it’s important that we start this journey now by adopting the KCCI vision at the CRA meeting on August 22, 2024.
The vision and concept for Bicentennial Park was unanimously approved by the CRA Board at the August 22 meeting, which is made up of the City Commission.
After continuing community conversations and preparing project specifics, KCCI returned to the CRA board on October 17 with an update and funding request. Phases 1 and 2 of the phased project approach were also unanimously approved by the CRA Board.
Complete build-out of Bicentennial Square will span several years. As a result of the volunteer team’s planning efforts and collaboration with partners – lighting, artistic and safety improvements could begin by the end of 2024.
A Vision
It takes a vision and a plan to accomplish significant change. KCCI’s team has created both. This project will catalyze true transformative enhancement in downtown. Bicentennial Square will improve safety and connectivity in our downtown while providing a place for citizens to meet and gather, where entrepreneurs thrive and connections are made.
Conceptual draft rendering of Tallahassee history display, public restrooms, landscaping, and shade canopy
