Waterside complex includes iconic city hall and council chambers, fire station, public recreation/ballfields, fitness classes, biking/running/walking paths, views, parkland, memorial garden, more.
The City of Madeira Beach has made some leaps this year in its continued evolution as the unofficial progressive flagship of Pinellas County beach cities. With help from Wannemacher Jensen Architects and several other partners, the City now boasts a 14-acre complex that brings a litany of new opportunities and amenities for the public as well as public servants. Arguably, the most compelling City Hall in Tampa Bay, round council chambers are surrounded entirely with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the water. Designers sought to create an atmosphere that might inspire new perspectives or ideas, or even encourage new people to take part in municipal meetings and get engaged with the local government of a small forward-thinking city.
On October 16 the City of Madeira Beach celebrated a Grand Opening (‘soft opened’ earlier this year). The area also incorporates forward-looking aspects with respect to nature, fitness, outdoor activity and appreciation for our waterfront. Overall, the complex includes several new buildings, several high-quality recreation facilities, and massive green-space, parkland and vistas – all creating new activities from running along the waterfront (where there used to be just crushed shells) to the influx of wedding and special event bookings the City has already seen since ‘the soft opening.’
New structures include: the City Centre, housing city hall, council chambers, and city offices, a new modern fire station and a recreational facility including a variety of fitness classes, along with childcare during classes. The buildings were designed for maximum efficiency, while taking advantage of the full waterfront exposure for both the City Centre and recreation center. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the multi-purpose room and fitness center offer waterfront views, as do city hall offices and council chambers. A covered boardwalk fronts the city hall entrance, then wraps around to create a deck behind the multipurpose building. The special event spaces are all adjacent to the water.
New outdoor features include: permanent stage and concert area – which has already attracted such acts as Culture Club, Everclear, and The Wailers. Three baseball /softball fields, two tennis courts, and a basketball court each have water views. R.O.C. Park, initiated by nonprofit Remember Our Children, features paved walkways, fountains, engraved stones, a “lock Palm Tree” and sitting areas spread throughout. A reflection area looks over the waters of Boca Ciega Bay, and the liveliness of the recreation center and patrons enjoying the grounds foster a positive and familial atmosphere.
Wannemacher Jensen Architects (WJA) designed the master plan, created the construction documents and donated design services for R.O.C. Park. The project came in on budget and is now widely used by the public. WJA principal Jason Jensen described it as “an incredible opportunity to weave together large multi-use public space with core civic activity. Highly functional municipal structures blend with parkland and recreation to form a community complex that fosters new relationships between public space and public service.”
About Wannemacher Jensen Architects
Founded 20+ years ago, Wannemacher Jensen is a thriving architecture firm in St. Petersburg that designs memorable and functional spaces for working, living and playing. WJA’s extensive roster of high-profile projects includes buildings, facilities, parks, entertainment venues, and more throughout Florida. Projects and other information are available at WJArc.com, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Photos by Tropical Focus