Coming to downtown Crestview: New splash pad and Main Street parking, sidewalk upgrades
CRESTVIEW — City officials hope to add a splash pad to the city park at 375 N. Wilson St. in early June, Crestview spokesman Chance Leavins said Friday.
The 0.5-acre park stands across from the Brackin Building that houses Okaloosa County offices. Last year, restrooms and a parking area were added to the park, and the Crestview Rotary Club donated $30,500 to the city to pay for the bulk of the $38,000 splash pad.
"Right now, we're waiting for a plaque, which is getting produced now, that will represent the rotary and be placed on the splash pad," Leavins said. "Once the logo is done, we'll get the pad in."
He said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled to officially open the splash pad. The name of the park will likely be announced at that time.
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In early 2020, the county and city entered into an agreement for the development and maintenance of public parking and a park at the North Wilson Street property.
The county provided labor, materials and equipment to build restrooms and the park area just south of West Beech Avenue, and built an adjacent 50-space parking area, some of which used a reconstructed parking lot next to Gordon Martial Arts.
Using Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency money, the city paid $25,000 for construction of the restrooms and $55,000 to develop the parking area.
City Manager Tim Bolduc has said that playground equipment will be added to the park later.
Leavins on Friday also provided an update on the city's downtown master plan.
He said the city will start a bid process in June to find a contractor to make various changes and upgrades to Main Street and other parts of downtown.
The city received $1 million in state funding last year to help pay for much of the work, which will include replacing some angled parking spots on Main Street with safer parallel spaces and creating wider sidewalks to provide more room for events and outdoor seating.
The number of parking spaces that will be converted was not available Friday.
Leavins said the upcoming bid process will run for 30 days before a contractor will be recommended for the City Council's approval.
In addition to the work on Main Street, the chosen contractor will oversee the paving of the city's free public parking lot behind Desi's Downtown Restaurant.
The currently unpaved lot covers about 1 acre, has room for about 75 vehicles. it is bounded by State Road 85 to the east, Woodruff Avenue to the north, Desi's and Main Street to the west and Industrial Drive to the south.
The construction schedule for the Main Street and parking lot work will be provided by the selected contractor.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Downtown Crestview to get splash pad and Main Street parking changes
