| p>While many cities make less than responsible | | | | middle has a number of rectangular openings |
| choices when planning major developments, West | | | | surrounded by an aluminum safety rail. Inside these |
| Palm Beach leads by example with their new | | | | troughs are "aluminum boxes with holes drilled in a |
| waterfront redevelopment. In the past, this area was | | | | pattern," says Jason Bregman, the project manager |
| a busy harbor, but a 1960's expansion of Flagler Drive | | | | and environmental designer for Michael Singer Studio. |
| blocked access to this once vibrant area. Now past | | | | Each is filled with a layer of geotextiles with special |
| errors have been corrected with the unveiling of this | | | | soil for supporting mangroves and spartina grass. |
| long overdue advancement, designed to enhance and | | | | In addition, the textile is peppered with discarded |
| revitalize the West Palm Beach harbor. | | | | oyster shells donated by local restaurants to help |
| Much more than a simple facelift, this 12.5 acre | | | | encourage oyster growth. These oysters filter 40 |
| project along the Intracoastal Waterway carries a | | | | gallons of water on a daily basis and will serve as a |
| hefty $30 million price tag that includes Commons | | | | natural filter for the dock area. |
| Park with community Lake Pavilion, water gardens, | | | | The entire structure is very modern with flowing |
| two boat piers and connecting walking paths, and and | | | | lines, seating, shade umbrellas, and gorgeous views of |
| a living dock. | | | | the harbor and skyline. In turn, the West Palm Beach |
| The Pavilion is the first LEED Certified municipal | | | | condos lining the harbor, have a spectacular view of |
| building in the area and features a photovoltaic roof | | | | the new and improved waterfront. |
| apparatus. It's designed to be a community gathering | | | | Future plans include the development of extensive |
| place and will house many future events. | | | | reefs made entirely of oysters, tidal gardens of |
| Probably the most unique component of this | | | | mangroves and spartina that will filter stormwater, |
| eco-friendly waterfront redevelopment, is the way it | | | | create an underwater habitat and provide a rest area |
| works with nature to filter water. The floating dock | | | | for birds. |
| is actual a water purification unit in disguise - serving | | | | The waterfront's development was led by Michael |
| not only as a boat dock, but a sustainable structure | | | | Singer Studio, and the landscape architecture was |
| that cleans up after itself. | | | | designed by Carolyn Pendleton Parker, ASLA, at |
| The 400-foot dock is composed of concrete layered | | | | Sanchez & Maddux and Connie Roy-Fisher, ASLA, |
| over a foam core and surfaced with LPE planks. The | | | | Roy-Fisher Associates. |