Market District Stormwater Project
MARKET DISTRICT
MULTI-PURPOSE
STORMWATER PROJECT
Market District Multi-Purpose Stormwater Project
To keep pace with growth and improve the quality of stormwater flowing to Lake Jackson, upgrades to the area's stormwater system are necessary. Improvements to the roadway network are also needed. This infrastructure work will improve water quality, pedestrian and vehicular safety and create an opportunity to enhance Sense of Place efforts already underway in the Market District.
Construction began in March 2021 on work for the West Stormwater Facility. Learn more in the About section.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Market District has long been characterized by a mixture of strong local businesses and stable, active and engaged neighborhoods. In order to keep pace with growth and to improve the quality of stormwater flowing to Lake Jackson, upgrades to the area’s stormwater system are underway. Building on the Sense of Place efforts, roadways will be upgraded to provide beautification and improve mobility. Major electric infrastructure was upgraded with the transmission lines east of the electrical substation that previously ran through the ponds being relocated to improve reliability and aesthetics. The Market District Multi-Purpose Stormwater Project will reclaim public open space and further enhance the area’s public amenities while creating an opportunity for a future park.
The overall project area is approximately 30 acres.
Elements of the multi-purpose stormwater project include:
- Beautify and improve Maclay Commerce Drive and Maclay Boulevard (from Maclay Commerce Drive to Mosswood Chase)
- Provide areas for family-friendly activities
- Promote outdoor business activities
- Create walking/jogging trails
- Establish open space for special events
The multi-purpose project consists of four general areas that will flow together, each with its unique elements.
West Stormwater Facility
The West Stormwater Facility will be a wet detention pond serving a large part of the Market District as a regional stormwater facility. Some areas in the District were developed prior to many of the environmental regulations that exist today. As such, water quality treatment is not in place to address stormwater runoff from some of these areas. The West Stormwater Facility will provide retrofit water quality treatment and rate control (protect against flooding) for the entire 300 Acre +/- watershed that drains to it, including some of the previously untreated areas. It will also serve as a passive recreation area with a walking trail connection to the rest of the project along the north side of the electrical substation.
The City of Tallahassee began construction of the West Stormwater Facility in March 2021. This portion of the project will include construction of a roughly 8‐acre wet detention pond that will serve as a regional stormwater facility for a large part of the Market District. The facility will provide water quality treatment and protection against flooding for the entire 300-acre watershed that drains to it, including the proposed roadway improvements on Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive and the future park being implemented by Blueprint.
The West Stormwater Facility will also include a 0.5-mile pedestrian path around the pond. Retaining walls with an architectural board‐form face will create the effect of a bridge over the inflow to the pond. Retaining walls with the same finish at the pond's outfall will hide the control structure and create an observation platform for wildlife viewing and stormwater education kiosks. Advanced stormwater best management practices, such as bioswales, gabion-lined ditches, etc. will be implemented around the pond to treat runoff before it enters the pond.
This project is expected to be completed by January 2022, barring any unanticipated delays. Construction hours will generally be from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Construction Plans for the West Stormwater Facility
East Stormwater Facility
While also providing water quality treatment and rate attenuation, the East Stormwater Facility will be designed to be more park like with walking or fitness paths and landscape/hardscape features surrounding it. A constructed wetland that captures stormwater runoff directly from Maclay Commerce Drive and adjacent commercial properties may be incorporated into the design of the East Stormwater Facility.
The Market District Placemaking Project is just 1 of 27 Blueprint 2020 Infrastructure projects funded by the 1 cent sales tax extension in 2014. The Market District Placemaking Project tied with the Orange-Meridian Placemaking project for the top-ranked Community Enhancement, Connectivity, and Quality of life (CCQ) projects. Known in 2014 as Project 11: Market District Activity Center Connectivity, it included funding for construction, stormwater improvements, greenway connections, streetscaping, and gateway enhancements. The sales tax project as currently approved by the Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors, includes the construction of a central park space, pedestrian, safety, and intersection improvements, and sidewalk and trails.
This Placemaking project has a total estimated budget of $11.1 million which is based on project costs developed during the Leon County Sales Tax Citizen Committee's project development process in 2014. The estimated costs of the improvements, updated for current 2020 costs, are included below:
- Central Park Space: $ 2.4 million
- Pedestrian, safety & intersection improvements: $5.2 million
- Sidewalks and Trails: $3.5 million
An updated cost estimate for the project will be prepared as elements of the project move forward.
Market District Corridor Placemaking Action Plan (2011)
In 2011, the City Commission adopted the "Market District Corridor Placemaking Action Plan," developed by the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department in collaboration with Market District business owners and residents, with a vision of fostering a unique 'sense of place' in the Market District area. During development of the Action Plan, repurposing of the existing stormwater ponds in the center of the Market District was identified as a top priority of citizens and business owners.
The City Commission allocated $500,000 in FY 2012 for initial implementation of the Market District Action Plan by the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department. This investment was intended to kick-start initial improvements in the area by encouraging residents and visitors to visit and explore the district. Funding was used to help acquire property for the park, and is presently encumbered with implementing the adopted wayfinding plan, and allocated to implementing other pedestrian improvements in coordination with infrastructure improvements in the area.
Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive will be enhanced with a landscaped median, sidewalks and on-street parking. The intersections of Maclay Commerce Drive with Martin Hurst Road and Maclay Boulevard will be improved.
Diagram of proposed roadway improvements on the Maclay Commerce Drive.
Diagram of proposed roadway improvements on the Maclay Boulevard.
INFRASTRUCTURE
To keep pace with growth and improve the quality of stormwater flowing to Lake Jackson, upgrades to the area's stormwater system are necessary. Improvements to the roadway network and electric transmission utilities are also needed. This infrastructure work will improve water quality, pedestrian and vehicular safety and create an opportunity to enhance Sense of Place efforts already underway in the Market District.
Project Schedule
PARK
As the main greenspace area, this 9.8 acre parcel will be used for amenities, pedestrian and recreational purposes. Community input and site design principals will help guide the amenities are featured in the park.
Market District Park Survey Results
Project Schedule
Public Engagement
In keeping with the Market District Sense of Place Plan adopted in 2011, various public parcels were redesigned and have been combined to create space for a Market District Park. Major stormwater ponds are being transformed and one was filled in. As the main greenspace area, this 9.8 acre parcel will be used for amenities, pedestrian and recreational purposes. Community input and site design principals will help guide the amenities are featured in the park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lake Jackson is a designated Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) and has been classified as being impaired due to water quality issues. The Market District watershed discharges to Lake Jackson. This stormwater retrofit project will significantly reduce nutrient loading from the watershed and improve water quality discharges to Lake Jackson through the implementation of advanced water quality treatment technologies and improved stormwater practices. The existing stormwater facilities were built in 1980 when water quality treatment standards were less protective and treatment mechanisms were not nearly as efficient as the Best Management Practices (BMPs) implement today. The existing ponds are traditional stormwater facilities that focused primarily on flood control.
In 2011, the City Commission adopted the "Market District Action Plan" with a vision of fostering a unique sense of place in the district. One of the goals of the action plan is to "reclaim or create new public spaces," and it identifies several objectives. These include providing family-friendly activities, jogging trails, exercise opportunities, a tot lot playground; promoting outdoor business activities, sidewalk sales and business expansions; and creating outdoor venues for special events or leisure.
During development of the Market District Action Plan, repurposing of the existing stormwater ponds in the center of the Market District was identified as a top priority of citizens and business owners.
The Market District project is also a top priority project for the Blueprint 2020 program (tied for #1 priority Community Enhancement, Connectivity, and Quality of Life project as ranked by the IA Board at the September 19, 2017 meeting). The proposed FY 2021 allocation of $2,126,846 will fund design for the public space component of this placemaking project, as well as design of the Maclay Road sidewalk and traffic analysis studies at selected intersections within Market District. Blueprint is currently coordinating with the City regarding the public space component of this placemaking project to align the design and construction activities with the completion of the City's Market District Multi-Purpose Stormwater project.
At the June 2012 workshop on the Sales Tax Extension, agenda materials for the "Market District Activity Center" identified improvements to be implemented by the City, which included the reconfiguration of stormwater management facilities as public amenities and the construction of sidewalks on Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive.
In consideration of the Market District Action Plan goals, a large multi-purpose stormwater project will help jump start the Commission's Market District Sense of Place efforts. The stormwater project will address water quality issues in Lake Jackson and create a canvas for the development of an urban park that incorporates many of the Action Plan objectives.
The multi-purpose stormwater project will include retrofitting the East and West Stormwater Facilities to improve water quality treatment and aesthetics, relocating the electric transmission lines to the north side of Maclay Commerce Drive, improving Maclay Boulevard (from Maclay Commerce Drive to Mosswood Chase) and Maclay Commerce Drive (from Martin Hurst Road to Financial Plaza Drive) and improving the intersection of Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive.
Construction of this type can be disruptive at times, but the City will do everything possible to minimize inconveniences. Traffic detours, when needed, will be clearly marked, and vehicular access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. Construction hours will normally begin after sunrise and end prior to sunset, with no construction allowed on Sundays.
The infrastructure improvements will be constructed in three phases. Phase I is complete and consisted of filling in the Central Stormwater Facility and a portion of the East Stormwater Facility and expanding the West Stormwater Facility to make way for relocation of the electric transmission lines to the north side of Maclay Commerce Drive.
Design of Phase II is underway and consists of retrofitting and reconfiguring the West Stormwater Facility.
Phase III is the largest phase and will consist of retrofitting the East Stormwater Facility, including landscaping and beautification elements, and improving Maclay Commerce Drive and Maclay Road.
Following outreach to citizens and incorporating that feedback into the final design, it is expected that construction of Phase II will begin in the first half of 2021 and last 9-12 months.
Design and public input for Phase III will begin in summer 2021. Construction should be complete by the end of 2023.
The public area between the electrical substation and Maclay Boulevard has been filled in and re-graded. Phase III will include additional work in this area to provide a blank canvas for the future Park. Potential amenities include a tot lot, splash pad, open spaces for gathering, a pavilion and an outdoor market. Citizen input will be used to draft the vision for the park. The Park will be one of the projects funded by the 2020 Blueprint Sales Tax Extension.
The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency is the local governmental agency that is tasked with building the Market District Park. The Market District Park is one phase of the greater Blueprint Market District Placemaking project. The Market District Multi-Purpose Stormwater Project includes the stormwater components of the Market District Park as well as some adjacent road improvements. Both projects build from the Sense of Place Plan. Blueprint is working collaboratively with the City on the Park project as many of the components will need to be planned, designed, and possibly constructed together.
Multiple public meetings will be held during the design of Phases II and III and the Park. During the Coronavirus pandemic, these will be online events of various types and presentations of project information and concepts as they are developed. Interested parties can ask questions and provide input about the Stormwater Project and the Park. Meeting details will be posted on this site and mailed to area residents and businesses closer to the events.
City and Blueprint staff are also available to discuss the project at your convenience. For questions or to receive more information about the multi-purpose stormwater project please contact Jason Smith, P.E., City of Tallahassee, Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure, at 850-891-6860 or jason.smith@talgov.com . For questions or to receive more information about the park please contact Sue Tanski, Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, at 850-219-1071 or Susan.Tanski@BlueprintIA.org.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONS.
The following are questions that we've heard during our community engagement meetings so far. Check back here for answer to more commonly asked questions from your local community.
Please contact Sue Tanski, Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, at 850-219-1071 or Susan.Tanski@BlueprintIA.org to share your ideas about the future park area. All ideas are appreciated.
There will be many opportunities to get involved in the project, including attending virtual community engagement meetings and events, participating in surveys, and reviewing project materials and presentations on this website. See our Community Engagement Schedule for upcoming workshop dates.
Don't worry if you missed the online meetings. We have recorded the presentation and you can download and view it here. If you would like more information or have input or questions about the park, please contact Sue Tanski, Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, at 850-219-1071 or Susan.Tanski@BlueprintIA.org. If you would like more information or have input or questions about stormwater, please contact Jason Smith, P.E., City of Tallahassee, Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure, at 850-891-6860 or jason.smith@talgov.com.
All are welcome to visit and utilize the City's parks during normal hours of operation which is typically sunrise to sunset. The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department, PRNA, expects visitors to abide by the Park Rules as codified by the City's Park ordinance. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves accordingly, and any violation of these rules or illegal activity that occurs will be addressed as appropriate either by staff or by the police department. PRNA always appreciates Citizens and Park users bringing any issues to their attention.
The City of Tallahassee will soon be finishing preliminary engineering for the roadway infrastructure improvements within the Market District project limits. As a part of the preliminary engineering, a traffic study was prepared by our consultant that includes traffic projections for design years 2024 and 2035. These projections utilize site specific growth rates to estimate both traffic and pedestrian needs. Based on these projections, five (5) intersection alternative scenarios were analyzed and documented in the traffic study. For future growth, the preferred alternative includes roundabouts for the intersection of Maclay Commerce Boulevard/Maclay Boulevard and for the intersection of Maclay Commerce Boulevard/Martin Hurst Road.
The City's design team will coordinate with StarMetro during final design of the roadway improvements and relocate the bus stop based on their StarMetro's specifications and recommendation.
No. The park is open to the public free of charge.
Sunrise to sunset except in lighted areas and during permitted events.
Yes. Pets are allowed at the park and must properly restrained on a leash in accordance city ordinances.
Yes, and there will be an ADA accessible restroom.
Not at the present time, although there are connections shown in the Greenways Master Plan.
Funding for the Stormwater elements is provided by the stormwater fee, Blueprint sales tax revenue reserved for City water quality projects and a grant from the U.S. EPA. Funding for roadway improvements… Funding for the park element for the project is provided by the Blueprint 2000 sales tax program, a local option one cent sales tax approved by the voters of Leon County, Florida to fund local infrastructure improvements. Some of Leon County's signature, award-winning building projects, including Cascades Park, FAMU Way, and the Capital Cascades Trail, have all been funded by the "Leon Penny" Blueprint 2000 program.
City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the park and trails after construction.
Visit the City of Tallahassee's Website to find out more about Parks and Trails or download the TallyParks App. The TallyParks App allows you to search for a trail by trail marker, scan QR codes on trails to find your location and browse amenity lists for the parks and trails of Tallahassee. You can download the Tally Parks App for your mobile device or visit http://www.trailahassee.com.
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