Punta Gorda revises plans for waterfront park at Bayfront site

Punta Gorda is moving closer to transforming the former Bayfront Center site into a waterfront park, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian destroyed the 1960s-era building that once stood there.

City Council on Sept. 24 reviewed revised plans for the 16,566-square-foot park, which will include a pavilion, swings, walkways and green space. The project is designed to fill the void left after the Bayfront Center was demolished due to storm damage in September 2022.

For decades, the Bayfront Center served as a community hub. The building hosted the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance, the Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association, special events and weddings and the nonprofit Learn to Sail. Following its demolition, all that remained was a concrete slab between the waterfront and Retta Esplanade.

Seeking to create a public space with flexible uses, Council directed Principal Planner Carl Benge and city staff to draft park designs. His first proposal was presented in the spring, but council members requested revisions. The new plan reflects feedback from city staff, council members and a public workshop.

The updated design features a 5,000-square-foot pavilion with a collapsible stage and serving area, intended to host both community events and private rentals. Surrounding the pavilion will be 109 linear feet of walkways and 1,709 square feet of lawn space for seating. Landscaping will highlight native plants.

Council members asked that swings be retained but relocated to better frame waterfront views. Benge said the swings will use metal poles instead of traditional chains, which deteriorate over time. They will resemble the durable models installed at the St. Petersburg waterfront and Tampa Riverwalk.

The plan also sets aside space for bicycles, though it eliminates six parking spaces.

One of the more complex issues involves the Learn to Sail program, which has operated from the site for years. While the city has designated about 700 square feet for the group, co-founder Tom Cavanaugh told Council that the space is too small. Previously, Learn to Sail used a 2,000-square-foot portion of the Bayfront Center. Cavanaugh said the program needs room not only for storage racks but also to rig sails and launch boats.

Next door, the Punta Gorda Boat Club leases a city-owned building and maintains a butterfly garden. Council member Janis Denton suggested renegotiating the lease to allow Learn to Sail access to part of that area, which would add about 200 square feet. Council members agreed to explore the idea.

Several elements from Benge’s initial May presentation were dropped. A beach area, once considered for the site, was removed after staff determined it would be too costly. The project would have required 389 cubic yards of sand, with delivery and materials priced between $15 and $50 per cubic yard. Including a complete beach design, costs could have ranged from nearly $14,000 to almost $30,000.

Mayor Debi Lux also requested that the pavilion be rotated slightly to improve its view of the water. Benge said the adjustment could be made in the next revision.

While the latest discussion focused on design, funding remains a question. The city has identified about $343,000 still available for the project and may also seek Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement. No construction timeline has been set.