MARKET DISTRICT
MULTI-PURPOSE
STORMWATER PROJECT

West Stormwater Facility

The West Stormwater Facility is a wet detention pond serving a large part of the Market District as a regional stormwater facility. Some areas in the District were developed prior to many of the environmental regulations that exist today. As such, water quality treatment is not in place to address stormwater runoff from some of these areas. The West Stormwater Facility provides retrofit water quality treatment and rate control (protect against flooding) for the entire 300 Acre +/- watershed that drains to it, including some of the previously untreated areas. It will also serve as a passive recreation area with a walking trail connection to the rest of the project along the north side of the electrical substation.

The City of Tallahassee began construction of the West Stormwater Facility in March 2021. This portion of the project included construction of a roughly 8‐acre wet detention pond that serves as a regional stormwater facility for a large part of the Market District. The facility provides water quality treatment and protection against flooding for the entire 300-acre watershed that drains to it, including the proposed roadway improvements on Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive and the future park being implemented by Blueprint.

The West Stormwater Facility also includes a 0.5-mile pedestrian path around the pond. Retaining walls with an architectural board‐form face create the effect of a bridge over the inflow to the pond. Retaining walls with the same finish at the pond's outfall hide the control structure and create an observation platform for wildlife viewing and stormwater education kiosks. Advanced stormwater best management practices, such as bioswales, gabion-lined ditches, etc. are implemented around the pond to treat runoff before it enters the pond.

This project is substantially complete; however, it is not yet open to the public while custom design railings are being fabricated and installed along the retaining walls. This work should be complete by Summer 2023.

East Stormwater Facility

While also providing water quality treatment and rate attenuation, the East Stormwater Facility will be designed to be more park like with walking or fitness paths and landscape/hardscape features surrounding it. A constructed wetland that captures stormwater runoff directly from Maclay Commerce Drive and adjacent commercial properties will be incorporated into the design of the East Stormwater Facility.

The Market District Placemaking Project is just 1 of 27 Blueprint 2020 Infrastructure projects funded by the 1 cent sales tax extension in 2014.  The Market District Placemaking Project tied with the Orange-Meridian Placemaking project for the top-ranked Community Enhancement, Connectivity, and Quality of life (CCQ) projects.  Known in 2014 as Project 11: Market District Activity Center Connectivity,  it included funding for construction, stormwater improvements, greenway connections, streetscaping, and gateway enhancements. The sales tax project as currently approved by the Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors, includes the construction of a central park space, pedestrian, safety, and intersection improvements, and sidewalk and trails.

This Placemaking project has a total estimated budget of $11.1 million which is based on project costs developed during the Leon County Sales Tax Citizen Committee's project development process in 2014.  The estimated costs of the  improvements, updated for current 2020 costs, are included below:

• Central Park Space: $ 2.4 million
• Pedestrian, safety & intersection improvements: $5.2 million
• Sidewalks and Trails: $3.5 million

An updated cost estimate for the project will be prepared as elements of the project move forward.

Market District Corridor Placemaking Action Plan (2011)

In 2011, the City Commission adopted the "Market District Corridor Placemaking Action Plan," developed by the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department in collaboration with Market District business owners and residents, with a vision of fostering a unique 'sense of place' in the Market District area. During development of the Action Plan, repurposing of the existing stormwater ponds in the center of the Market District was identified as a top priority of citizens and business owners.

The City Commission allocated $500,000 in FY 2012 for initial implementation of the Market District Action Plan by the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department. This investment was intended to kick-start initial improvements in the area by encouraging residents and visitors to visit and explore the district.  Funding was used to help acquire property for the park, and is presently encumbered with implementing the adopted wayfinding plan, and allocated to implementing other pedestrian improvements in coordination with infrastructure improvements in the area.

Maclay Boulevard and Maclay Commerce Drive will be enhanced with a landscaped median, sidewalks and on-street parking. The intersections of Maclay Commerce Drive with Martin Hurst Road and Maclay Boulevard will be improved.