Residents and council clash over Riverside Park design and consultant outreach

Audrey Kravitz, a Temple Terrace resident, told the City Council on Feb. 4 that the Riverside Park project “as it stands, is not on the right track,” saying the consultant presentation provided little new information, omitted clear tree‑retention plans and appeared to favor a large pavilion and event space located directly behind existing homes.

The concern voiced by Kravitz and other residents centered on process, transparency and impacts. At the public comment period Kravitz criticized materials shown at a January 23 meeting as having typographical errors and said residents received “no new substantive information beyond what’s already on the City’s website.” She also said consultants from Half Associates appeared “unprepared, defensive, and resistant to public feedback.”

Why it matters: the Riverside Park project is a multimillion‑dollar initiative tied to the downtown pedestrian plan and the City’s efforts to activate riverfront property. Residents told the council they want clearer answers about tree removal, security, ongoing maintenance and how the project will be funded and maintained.

Council and staff response City staff said the consultant will return and make a fuller presentation. City Manager told the council the city met this week with Half Associates’ senior staff, who committed to a higher standard of presentation and to having firm leadership attend the next public briefing. Staff said the consultant will present revised materials to council and that the city will press the firm for more thorough documentation on tree impacts, safety planning and funding options before the design moves past the current stage.

Council members spent more than an hour responding to resident concerns and recapping the project’s history. Mayor Ross and other council members emphasized that the city has budgeted funds for design work and that the consultant’s initial presentation did not reflect the full scope of earlier planning work. Council members repeatedly described the next step as a more detailed staff‑led review and a follow‑up presentation from the consultant that addresses the community’s questions.

What residents said Kravitz and other speakers raised three recurring points: - Trees and canopy: residents said nearly every tree on the project site had been flagged and they want clear identification of which trees will be removed, why they would be removed and what replacement plan will be used. - Neighborhood impacts: speakers said a large pavilion and event space adjacent to homes would change a quiet residential setting and asked whether an event venue belongs on a residential riverfront lot rather than in a commercial area. - Budget, funding and maintenance: residents asked how the project will be paid for and how long‑term maintenance will be funded if state or federal grants are not awarded.

Next steps Staff said the consultant will reengage with the city and the council will schedule a more complete presentation. Councilmembers urged staff to ensure police and other departments are included in future design conversations, to publish clearer tree‑protection and maintenance plans and to make any funding contingencies explicit before moving to the next design milestone.

Ending: The city will not advance the design to the next formal approval milestone until residents’ concerns are addressed in revised materials and the consultant presents senior staff to the council. Staff also said it will publicize the next presentation and increase opportunities for community feedback.