Difference between revisions of "Plaza de Luna"

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{{Infobox Park
 
{{Infobox Park
 
|park=Plaza de Luna
 
|park=Plaza de Luna
|image=PlazaDeLuna-StadAmsterdam.jpg
+
|image=PlazaDeLunaFisheye1.jpg
|caption=The "Sunset Terrace" of Palafox Pier with visiting clipper ship ''Stad Amsterdam''.
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|caption=
 
|type=
 
|type=
 
|size=100,000 sq. ft.
 
|size=100,000 sq. ft.
|facilities=interactive fountain, waterfront promenade (under construction), traffic loop with parking, wireless Internet (planned), event terrace
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|facilities=fountain, waterfront promenade, traffic loop with parking, wireless Internet (planned), event terrace
 
|operator=[[City of Pensacola]]
 
|operator=[[City of Pensacola]]
 
|visitors=
 
|visitors=
 
|opened=2007
 
|opened=2007
 
|location=[[Palafox Pier]]
 
|location=[[Palafox Pier]]
|mapcode=<googlemap lat="30.402778" lon="-87.213002" zoom="17" width="288" height="288">
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|mapcode=
30.402408, -87.21296, Plaza de Luna
 
</googlemap>
 
 
}}
 
}}
[[Image:PlazaDeLunaRendering.jpg|thumb|left|Artist's rendering of Plaza de Luna]]
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[[Plaza de Luna]] is a waterfront park overlooking [[Pensacola Bay]]. It is located at the southern terminus of [[Palafox Street]], by the [[Palafox Pier]] development, on the site of the former [[Bayfront Auditorium]], which was demolished in July [[2005]] following damage from [[Hurricane Ivan]].  
[[Plaza de Luna]] is a waterfront park overlooking [[Pensacola Bay]]. Located on the site of the former [[Bayfront Auditorium]], demolished in July [[2005]] following damage from [[Hurricane Ivan]], the $3 million project was funded jointly by the [[Community Redevelopment Agency]] ($2.1 million) and [[FEMA]] ($800,000). It is named for [[Tristan de Luna]], whose [[1559]] expedition near Pensacola was America's first European settlement.
 
  
[[Category:Parks]]
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==Construction==
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The $3 million project was funded jointly by the [[Community Redevelopment Agency]] ($2.1 million) and [[FEMA]] ($800,000). On [[June 22]], [[2006]], the City of Pensacola voted to name the new park for [[Tristán de Luna y Arellano]], whose [[1559]] expedition near Pensacola was America's first European settlement.
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The park was designed by architects [[Hatch Mott MacDonald]], and [[Sharpe, Inc.]] was the general contractor.
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Construction was substantially completed in January [[2007]], after which the fountain at the north end of the park was installed. The park was formally dedicated on [[November 16]], 2007, the same day [[Wikipedia:Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|Republican presidential candidate]] [[Wikipedia:Fred Thompson|Fred Thompson]] held a rally there.
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==Amenities==
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Plaza de Luna is laid out around a driving circle with 40-56 parking spaces available on-site, including 4 handicapped spaces. The centerpiece, at the northern entrance, is a "fountain courtyard" where children may play in the interactive water jets. Two commemorative plaques, including the original dedication marker from the [[Bayfront Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]], are attached to the fountain's brick sitting wall. The park also features an 1,800-foot promenade for fishing and sunset viewing, and a "sunset terrace" and amphitheater sits on the southwest corner where small gatherings or performances may be held.
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A private [[Palafox Pier]] marina is located on the park's west side, but visitors may walk along the marina's breakwater. A docking port is located on the east side for visiting ships.
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Public [[Wikipedia:Wi-Fi|wireless Internet access]] is planned, but not yet implemented.
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A non-profit organization called [[Celebrate Pensacola]], in collaboration with [[Fiesta of Five Flags]], has sought funds to built a 55-foot statue to [[Tristán de Luna]] in time for Pensacola's [[450th anniversary]] celebration. The statue, which would consist of a 9-foot sculpture atop a 44-foot monument, is estimated to cost $700,000. The groups have asked county and city governments for $150,000 each, with the additional $400,000 raised privately, but the [[Pensacola City Council]] has delayed their decision until other options are presented.<ref>Mark O'Brien. "Fortunately, some council members stand tall against bad statue idea." ''Pensacola News Journal'', November 16, 2007.</ref>
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==Rental==
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The city makes Plaza de Luna available for rental for private receptions, concerts and festivals. The fees (subject to taxes) are $100 for groups of up to 100, $250 for groups between 101-500 people, and $500 for larger, "festival"-sized groups. Public liability insurance is required, and the public access to the park's perimeter must be allowed throughout the events.<ref>[http://www.cityofpensacola.com/live/pages.asp?pageID=7133 Park rental information]</ref>
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==Images==
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<gallery widths="180px" heights="180px">
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Image:PlazaDeLunaRendering.jpg|Pre-construction rendering of Plaza de Luna
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Image:PlazaDeLuna-StadAmsterdam.jpg|The "Sunset Terrace" with visiting clipper ship ''Stad Amsterdam''
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Image:PlazaDeLunaFisheye2.jpg|Looking north from the Plaza fountain
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</gallery>
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==References==
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{{refbegin}}
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*[http://www.cityofpensacola.com/live/pages.asp?pageID=2983 CRA info page]
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{{refend}}
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{{reflist}}
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[[Category:City of Pensacola parks]]

Latest revision as of 16:02, 29 June 2008

Plaza de Luna
PlazaDeLunaFisheye1.jpg
Size 100,000 sq. ft.
Facilities fountain, waterfront promenade, traffic loop with parking, wireless Internet (planned), event terrace
Operated by City of Pensacola
Opened 2007
Location Palafox Pier

Plaza de Luna is a waterfront park overlooking Pensacola Bay. It is located at the southern terminus of Palafox Street, by the Palafox Pier development, on the site of the former Bayfront Auditorium, which was demolished in July 2005 following damage from Hurricane Ivan.

Construction[edit]

The $3 million project was funded jointly by the Community Redevelopment Agency ($2.1 million) and FEMA ($800,000). On June 22, 2006, the City of Pensacola voted to name the new park for Tristán de Luna y Arellano, whose 1559 expedition near Pensacola was America's first European settlement.

The park was designed by architects Hatch Mott MacDonald, and Sharpe, Inc. was the general contractor.

Construction was substantially completed in January 2007, after which the fountain at the north end of the park was installed. The park was formally dedicated on November 16, 2007, the same day Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson held a rally there.

Amenities[edit]

Plaza de Luna is laid out around a driving circle with 40-56 parking spaces available on-site, including 4 handicapped spaces. The centerpiece, at the northern entrance, is a "fountain courtyard" where children may play in the interactive water jets. Two commemorative plaques, including the original dedication marker from the Municipal Auditorium, are attached to the fountain's brick sitting wall. The park also features an 1,800-foot promenade for fishing and sunset viewing, and a "sunset terrace" and amphitheater sits on the southwest corner where small gatherings or performances may be held.

A private Palafox Pier marina is located on the park's west side, but visitors may walk along the marina's breakwater. A docking port is located on the east side for visiting ships.

Public wireless Internet access is planned, but not yet implemented.

A non-profit organization called Celebrate Pensacola, in collaboration with Fiesta of Five Flags, has sought funds to built a 55-foot statue to Tristán de Luna in time for Pensacola's 450th anniversary celebration. The statue, which would consist of a 9-foot sculpture atop a 44-foot monument, is estimated to cost $700,000. The groups have asked county and city governments for $150,000 each, with the additional $400,000 raised privately, but the Pensacola City Council has delayed their decision until other options are presented.[1]

Rental[edit]

The city makes Plaza de Luna available for rental for private receptions, concerts and festivals. The fees (subject to taxes) are $100 for groups of up to 100, $250 for groups between 101-500 people, and $500 for larger, "festival"-sized groups. Public liability insurance is required, and the public access to the park's perimeter must be allowed throughout the events.[2]

Images[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Mark O'Brien. "Fortunately, some council members stand tall against bad statue idea." Pensacola News Journal, November 16, 2007.
  2. Park rental information