Milton board reviews Riverwalk master plan, Broad Street and Willing Street redevelopment options

The Community Improvement Board convened in July to continue reviewing the Riverwalk master plan and related redevelopment ideas for Broad Street and the Willing Street (Blackwater Quarter) corridor, and directed staff to update plan materials and pursue grant funding.

The board’s discussion centered on redevelopment concepts first: a marina with expanded wet slips, a banquet/meeting hall and restaurant at the Riverwalk south extension; mixed‑use residential and greenbelt preservation along Broad Street; and activation options for the Willing Street/Blackwater Quarter including improved sidewalks, angled parking and potential temporary street closures for events. Steven, a city staff member, summarized the draft outreach letter for property owners and described the master plan recap packet that members reviewed. “This draft was completed and reviewed this afternoon by the city manager, so this hasn't gone out just yet. This is still sitting under review,” he said.

Why it matters: board members framed the Riverwalk and downtown improvements as a way to preserve riparian vegetation, improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and encourage new businesses — including hotels and river‑oriented retail — to locate downtown. Several speakers described the Riverwalk and Blackwater River as Milton’s primary assets and said the plan should emphasize walkability, public space and connections to existing trails.

Key planning elements and ideas discussed

- Marina and Riverwalk: Members renewed interest in expanding wet slips at the south end of the…