Punta Gorda planners seek public input on Bayfront options at Gilchrist Park

Punta Gorda City urban designers presented several redevelopment options for the Bayfront site at Gilchrist Park and asked residents for input during an April 22 community meeting at the Lashley Community Room.

Carl Benge, principal planner for the urban design department, told the meeting that staff wanted “to get, kinda a feel for what you guys want, what the board wants, and perhaps what the public would like so that we can move forward.” The meeting reviewed a 2019 feasibility study and several new ideas from staff and residents, and concluded with staff agreeing to develop conceptual designs for further review; no formal decision or vote was taken.

The meeting centered on the former Bayfront Center site west of Gilchrist Park, a building that was demolished after recent storms. Benge summarized a February 2019 Gilchrist Park Activity Center feasibility analysis that presented three broad approaches: incremental improvements to existing facilities, a landscape-focused…