Fleet Block Open Space

Overview

Using input from the first engagement phase, the City developed a preliminary concept design that was presented to the public in spring 2026 for feedback. Through March and early April, the City had an online survey opportunity and hosted five in-person events, including a community-wide open house. The goals of this phase were to share the results from the first round of engagement and to gather feedback on the preliminary concept plan, including voting on proposed amenities and features. Approximately 422 people participated in the online survey and 103 people participated in the in-person events. In total, we received over 1,110 comments and 7,200 total votes.

Key Insights

Here are the major themes from this round of feedback:

1. Shade & Thermal Comfort: Community feedback consistently emphasized the importance of shade, cooling, and relief from heat throughout the site. Participants frequently called for more trees, expanded canopy coverage, and shaded gathering spaces, reinforcing the need for comfortable, climate-responsive outdoor environments that support year-round use and gathering.
2. Flexible Civic Space, Programming, Events, & Markets: Community feedback expressed a strong desire for flexible civic spaces that can support everyday gathering, community programming, events, and informal social activity throughout the site. Participants consistently favored adaptable open spaces, plazas, amphitheater-style gathering areas, movable seating, and a variety of spaces that can accommodate markets, performances, community events, and evolving public use over time.
3. Green Space & Ecology: Community feedback emphasized the importance of integrating nature and ecology into the identity of the site through abundant planting, native vegetation, stormwater gardens, and expanded tree canopy. Participants frequently expressed a desire for lush, shaded, and environmentally responsive spaces that support comfort, biodiversity, and everyday connection to the landscape.
4. Play, Family-Friendly Experiences, & Recreation: Community feedback expressed a strong desire for playful, family-friendly spaces that support recreation, exploration, and everyday social activity for all ages. Participants favored interactive and informal recreation elements including swings, hammock groves, nature play, game spaces, and open areas for gathering and movement, reinforcing the importance of creating an active and welcoming public realm.
5. Safety, Accessibility, & Active Public Space: Community feedback emphasized the importance of creating a safe, welcoming, and highly accessible public realm that supports walking, gathering, and everyday use throughout the site. Participants called for active and visible public spaces, improved pedestrian and bicycle connections, lighting, accessibility for all ages and abilities, and design strategies that help the space feel comfortable, inclusive, and active throughout the day and evening.
6. Water & Cooling Features: Community feedback connected water features with broader goals of sustainability, ecology, and climate responsiveness. Participants emphasized the importance of “water with integrity,” expressing interest in interactive, responsibly sourced, and well-maintained water features alongside stormwater capture, green infrastructure, and cooling strategies.
7. Public Art, Culture & Identity: Public art, culture, and identity emerged as a smaller but meaningful theme throughout the engagement process, emphasizing the importance of community, local identity, public art, markets, and cultural expression. Participants frequently referenced themes of history, social justice, healing, and authenticity, with several comments specifically acknowledging the role of art, memorialization, and creative expression in reflecting collective memory, local culture, and the site’s evolving civic identity.

What is Next?

Public Lands will be taking this feedback and refining the preliminary concept into a final vision that will be presented this summer. Look forward to an open house this July!