EXPLORE! Market District Improvement Plans
Infrastructure & Park Improvements coming to the Market District in 2025
About
The Market District Infrastructure & Park Improvements Project is the result of more than a decade of planning and public outreach. It provides new public amenities to the Market District area through innovative design principles.
The project includes improved roadways with increased pedestrian connectivity and beautification, upgrades to the area's stormwater facilities, as well as new active park and open space.
Explore improvement plans for each area of the project:
Roadways
The Market District Infrastructure & Park Improvement Project involves reconstruction of the existing roadways surrounding the new pond and park. Improvements will occur along Maclay Commerce Drive and Maclay Boulevard, and include two roundabouts, on-street parking, decorative lighting, and landscaped medians. The new roadways will tie the project areas together and create a safe, aesthetic, and pedestrian friendly corridor.
Click the features below to highlight some of the improvements; expand the map to view full screen.
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Stormwater
Years of outreach identified a public desire to reconfigure the area's stormwater management facilities into active spaces and amenities.
The West Stormwater Factility ("West Pond") and East Stormwater Facility ("East Pond") incorporate sustainable infrastructure that utilizes advance runoff treatment technologies, improving discharge to Lake Jackson.
West Stormwater Facility [West Pond]
The "West Pond" facility is an 8-acre wet detention pond constructed and maintained by the City of Tallahassee that serves regional stormwater management and includes a 0.5-mile pedestrian path.
The West Stormwater Factility ("West Pond") and East Stormwater Facility ("East Pond") incorporate sustainable infrastructure that utilizes advance runoff treatment technologies, improving discharge to Lake Jackson.
This portion of the project was completed by the City in 2023.
The completed West Pond, looking east towards the electric transmission facility.
Click the features below to highlight some of the improvements; expand the map to view full screen
More than 3,700 linear feet of , including a dedicated half-mile paved path, surround the West Stormwater Facility.
work to prevent erosion before stormwater runoff enters the facility for water quality treatment.
surround the facility, and are examined by ecologists during the establishment period.
detail the functions of a wet detention stormwater pond.
East Stormwater Facility [East Pond]
The "East Pond" provides water quality treatment and rate attenuation (flood prevention). Through innovative design, the facility will also function as a park. Plans include walking or fitness paths, landscaping and hardscape elements such as benches, as well as a 120-foot pedestrian bridge feature across the pond itself. A constructed wetland that captures stormwater runoff directly from Maclay Commerce Drive and adjacent commercial properties will provide important ecological habitat.
Features of the East Pond include a pedestrian bridge and shaded promenade.
Click the features below to highlight some of the improvements; expand the map to view full screen.
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Park
The Market District Park is Phase I of Blueprint's Market District Placemaking project. Design of the 9+ acre of park was led by Blueprint and will create a vibrant community hub offering a range of amenities that cater to diverse interests. The park design fosters community interaction and active lifestyle. Residents and visitors can anticipate paths for running and walking, a shaded gathering space, dedicated children play areas, water play elements, an open green space, restrooms, and pickleball courts.
More information regarding Blueprint's Phase 2 can also be found the Market District Placemaking project page.
Click the features below to highlight some of the improvements; expand the map to view full screen.
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Renderings of the Market District Park. Click to expand.
Project History
More than a decade in the making!
2011: Market District Action Plan
The Market District Action Plan was developed by the community and adopted by the City Commission. It serves as a blueprint for the area's connectivity and revitalization, prioritizing the reclamation and creation of public spaces, including a vision for family-friendly amenities that cater to passive and active recreation.
2016-2017: Initial Project Engagement
City staff began meeting with the public: area neighborhood associations, business groups, and individuals, to solicit input on concepts from the Action Plan that included addressing area stormwater needs and electric upgrades.
2017: Central Pond & Electric Upgrades
To accommodate necessary relocation of electric transmission lines, the privately-owned "Central Pond" located south of Sage Restaurant and a portion of the "East Pond" located near Premier Health & Fitness Center was acquired and filled.
2020 - 2021: Public Engagement Continued
Engagement continued with more than twelve public meetings held both in person and virtually to discuss this specific project, including potential stormwater pond and park amenities, as well as roadway design concepts. Extensive surveys and feedback from community members directly informed conceptual designs approved by the City Commission and Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency.
2021: West Pond
Design of the West Stormwater Facility (West Pond) began in 2021. Construction was completed in 2023. Several of the electrical distribution lines were placed underground to improve resiliency and aesthetics.
2022 - 2024: Project Design, Permitting & Solicitation
The City of Tallahassee and Blueprint coordinated plan design and permitting across all aspects of the project, which resulted in a cohesive final design. To leverage significant cost savings, the projects were bundled together for construction bid solicitation.
2025 - 2027: Project Construction
Construction of the Market District Park, East Stormwater Facility (East Pond), and Roadway Improvements will commence together in January 2025. Impacts to the transportation network and adjacent property owners will be mitigated. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early 2027.
