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Edgewater staff push a Park Avenue 'main street' plan centered on the boat ramp and small businesses
Summary
City staff outlined a Park Avenue vision focused on a small‑town, pedestrian main street around the boat ramp, supported by CRA land purchases, pedestrian infrastructure, and programmed events (food trucks, markets) instead of large mixed‑use towers restricted by charter height limits east of US 1.
At the comprehensive-plan kickoff, Ryan Solstice described a vision for Park Avenue that prioritizes a smaller-scale, pedestrian-focused main street anchored by the boat ramp and supported by CRA property acquisitions.
Solstice said the city is using CRA funds to buy vacant lots along Park Avenue to assemble parcels for redevelopment that would favor small-footprint commercial uses and tourism-focused amenities rather than high-density residential towers (charter limits on residential height east of US 1 were cited as a constraint). He suggested a nearby two-acre vacant parcel on US 1 could serve as parking to support the main-street area and noted that the boat ramp—upgraded with federal funds—draws visitors and could anchor pedestrian activity.
To animate the space, Solstice highlighted new local code tools such as food truck regulations and allowance for flexible gatherings that staff hope will enable food-truck events, farmers markets and evening uses at the boat ramp area. He also said the Park Avenue plan will include streetscape standards (for example, 12-foot sidewalks where appropriate) and that staff will refine design standards through forthcoming workshops.
Solstice framed the Park Avenue vision as compatible with a broader comp‑plan identity exercise: creating 'pockets' of a small‑town feel across the city rather than a single, city‑wide downtown. He urged residents to help define what they want in the next workshops and said staff will continue outreach and publish the presentation materials.
Next steps: Park Avenue design options and CRA parcel strategies will be part of forthcoming workshops and council review.
