Cityside Park nears completion; residents and commissioners press for restrooms

CMG Landscape Architecture principal Will Binge told the Treasure Island Development Authority board on April 16 that Cityside Park's Phase 1 construction is nearing substantial completion and is expected to open later this summer.

"We are intending to reach substantial completion on it in July and open it later this summer," Binge said, and described the park's central event lawn, waterfront promenade intended to be part of the Bay Trail, a coastal strand garden and stormwater treatment basins. He said the public art piece Canopy of Sky by Ned Kahn is slated for installation in July.

Several commissioners and members of the public pressed for on-site public restrooms. "There is no public restroom in Cityside Park," a commissioner said during the presentation. A resident who said she can see the park from her window urged a temporary solution: "I promise not to complain about seeing a bunch of porta potties out there if that means people have a place to go," the resident said.

Will Binge said park planning did not include an internal restroom and noted Building 1 (the historic airport building) will have public restrooms when it opens; however he acknowledged that an interim solution is needed during construction and early activation. Several directors urged staff to return with a plan for interim facilities while the park and nearby indoor options are not yet available.

Binge and staff also described the park's landscaping, grading of an amphitheater-style event lawn, plazas sized to allow food trucks, picnic barbecue areas and bioretention stormwater features. The park will reconnect the ferry plaza and nearby neighborhoods with a continuous waterfront promenade, Binge said.

Ending: Directors asked staff to explore interim restroom options — including portable facilities and clearer signage directing visitors to Building 1 — and to report back while construction progresses toward a July milestone.