SCAPE in Florida

Earlier this week, Gena and Chris were in Jacksonville, Florida for the kick-off of the McCoy’s Creek Stream Restoration project. SCAPE will be working with Wood Plc for Groundwork Jacksonville to develop a plan for a “natural channel” design that will emphasize the natural landscape of the creek while also enhancing flood control. The plan will address flooding, restore the natural environment and uncover the creek’s recreational potential, as well as improve access and connectivity. The team met in Jacksonville for site visits and community meetings with the task force group.

On August 20th and 21st, Gena will be heading to Pensacola, Florida with Lee and Chris for CivicCon – a series of public town halls and workshops hosted by the Pensacola News Journal in partnership with Studer Community Institute. On the 20th from 6-7:30PM, Gena will be presenting at the REX Theater, discussing SCAPE’s work on designing for resilient waterfronts, and what that means for the Florida coastline. In an interview with the Pensacola News Journal, Gena describes the “widespread recognition that the conditions along coastal communities and edges are changing…You see that in Miami quite clearly, you see that in a lot of parts of Florida that have this algae bloom issue. What’s great about resilient shoreline design is we can look at what’s happening today and what people see changing in their lifetimes.” The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. Read the full interview here.

Then on August 21st, Chris and Lee will join Gena for a public charrette to exchange ideas with the public and discuss various waterfront resilience concepts and design alternatives for the community to consider. The charette results will be presented to the public at at the Bowden Building at 120 Church St. in Pensacola at 4PM.