PROJECT: GEORGE CURRIE PARK REDEVELOPMENT

Currie Park Update

Currie Park is a complicated project that requires several approvals from government agencies. The City of West Palm Beach, CRA and the design firm, Chen Moore have finalized project details for the park improvements as reflected in the concept plan.

The world-class design and construction documents are currently being reviewed by the State of Florida, as a requirement of the $16.7 million grant, that will be used to help fund the revisions to Currie Park. Once approved by the State of Florida, the construction documents will be released to construction companies to bid on the project. The invitation to bid will be open for 60 days. After the 60 days, the City will select and contract with a contractor, making way for the groundbreaking of Currie Park.  

The West Palm Beach team continues to follow up with the State of Florida daily to keep the project moving forward and accelerate the project’s completion. In addition, the City continues to prepare Currie Park for construction. The City is anticipating document approval by the State in the coming days.  Once the State of Florida approves the documents and the bidding process commences, the City will determine a timeline for the official groundbreaking. In anticipation of the initial projected Summer groundbreaking, the City installed fencing at Currie Park and began the removal of the dated playground equipment and pavilion shelters. The fencing will remain in place as the City works toward the official groundbreaking.

All funding sources for the Currie Park project remain in compliance and the team looks forward to producing a world-class facility for the residents of West Palm Beach.

LOCATION:      2400 NORTH FLAGER DRIVE, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Currie Park (formerly Bethesda Park) was deeded to the City of West Palm Beach in 1920 by George Graham Currie, Mayor of West Palm Beach and President of Currie Investment & Title Guaranty Company.  Much has changed since the dedication of the park property in 1920, with the goal of the park being to activate the area with positive activity and engaging amenities.

In March of 2014, the CRA/Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) team conducted the North End Visioning Week to develop a vision plan for the north end of the City of West Palm Beach.  The weeklong exercise produced a Conceptual Design of Currie Park based upon public feedback.  The proposed Conceptual Design included redesigning the existing boat launch, tennis courts, and parking lot, while activating the park with new amenities such as plazas and greenways, colonnades, waterfront dining, marina, public pools and a recreation/youth center. 

Beginning in June of 2015, initial conceptual plans of the Currie parcels and Currie Park were developed. In collaboration with the developer, the CRA also retained Carlo Ratti and Associates to develop the Conceptual Currie Park Master Plan.  The CRA held a series of community meetings with stakeholders in February of 2017 to gather comments and to engage the public in the design of Currie Park. It is the City's and the CRA's desire to keep the activation and redesign of Currie Park moving in a positive direction.

In 2018, the CRA released an RFP for Professional Architectural & Engineering Design Services For Currie Park, resulting in awarding the bid to Chen Moore and Associates for the transformation of Currie Park into a destination waterfront park when visiting the City of West Palm Beach. Currie Park is currently a beautiful and intricate work in progress, set to begin construction in 2024.

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

Currie Park Redevelopment Project Floodplain and Wetland Impact Maps

PROJECT PHASES:

Phase I – Information Gathering, Public Engagement, Visioning and Planning (COMPLETE)

Phase II – Design, Permitting, and Construction Administration

PROJECT STATUS:

Public engagement for Phase I has been completed, and the final Phase I Master Plan was approved by the CRA Board and City Commission on June 1st, 2021. To view the final Master Plan and associated exhibits, click here.  Phase II scope of work and associated costs were approved at the CRA Board and City Commission meetings on July 12th, 2021. To view Chen Moore's Phase II Scope of work and fees, click here. Additional public engagement meetings for Phase II were held in partnership with the Sunday on the Waterfront Event Series and the Art, Dine and Design event in Northwood Village in Winter 2022 and 2023. Details are listed below at the bottom of the page.

Site plan approval process has been completed. FDEP has reviewed the environmental permit and it has been received. The Currie Park Redevelopment Project (Project) is now approaching a critical milestone of completing the bid package for construction. Currently, two contractors are qualified to perform the construction needed for the Project. The two qualified contractors include Whiting- Turner and Burkhart Construction, For the City of West Palm Beach (City) to select one of the two qualified contractors, a bid package is required. 

The bid package items are currently in final review. The bid package is scheduled for completion and delivery to Whiting-Turner and Burkhart Construction in March 2024.

Due to the complexity and multiple project elements, the City will provide 60 days for the qualified contractors to submit their bid proposals. Bid proposals are planned to be received by April/May 2024. Under the schedule of receiving bid proposals by April, the project continues to be on track for groundbreaking in the Summer of 2024.   

CONSULTANT:  Chen Moore and Associates (CMA) , West Palm Beach, FL

Questions and/or comments should be directed to:

Kelsey King, Project Manager 
Community Redevelopment Agency

Email: kking@wpb.org