Downtown Enhanced, History Preserved

Crystal River revitalizes downtown with Town Square

CRYSTAL RIVER | Citrus County | Pop. 3,190

by Leslie Bollin, City of Crystal River

The City of Crystal River is a small coastal town known mostly for the West Indian Manatee, the large mammals that call it home every winter. Tucked away, it is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, which houses hundreds of manatees every winter in Kings Bay and includes the Three Sisters Springs. Crystal River is the only place in the United States where you can swim with and interact with nature’s gentle giants. This small city welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors per year while retaining its quaint, small-town feel.

City officials have looked for ways to enhance the City for residents and the increasing numbers of visitors. Mayor Joe Meek, who was born and raised in Crystal River, had the vision to create a “town center,” a gathering place that would be the hub of activity downtown. After his election in 2019, he set his eyes on a property in the center of downtown that had remained vacant for many years.

With the guidance of City Manager Ken Frink, another longtime local, the City Council set out to make his vision a reality. Later that year, construction began on the new Town Square in the heart of downtown, and the ribbon was cut in July 2020. Meek said, “This project, in the most visible part of our town, highlighted that our city was serious about investment and would mark the beginning of a dedicated and focused strategy of redeveloping our city.”

DOWNTOWN’S HISTORY AND ART

Preserving Crystal River’s history played a prominent role in shaping the downtown area. The City’s inactive water tower, an identifying marker for Crystal River, was almost taken down in 2000 until a group of residents advocated for its preservation and enhancement. Instead, it received a fresh coat of paint with the City seal painted in the center. Little did residents know at the time how saving this one feature would play into shaping downtown.

The Crystal River Pump House, which brought the first water system to the community in 1926, is directly beneath the water tower. It is one of very few Spanish Revival buildings in Citrus County and was reputedly designed by Henry Taylor, the same architect who designed the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg.

In 2015, Crystal River became a Main Street community, and the Main Street-designated area came to life with businesses and activities. The city-owned Pump House was almost demolished, but Main Street saw the historical building as one worth saving. The property was fully restored in 2019 with a matching grant from the State Division of Historic Preservation and several community partners. As the City center began to take shape around this building, City officials knew it would play an important role in the future of this downtown space.

The blank cream wall of the building next to Town Square provided a blank canvas to serve as a focal point for the Town Square and the row of businesses on South Citrus Avenue. Inspired by a mural on another downtown building, Crystal River Main Street enlisted local artist William Mickey to paint their logo in conjunction with a City-inspired logo to span the remaining length of the building. Several other murals soon followed within the Main Street district.

TOWN SQUARE PHASE II

While the Town Square development was underway, City staff submitted a legislative line-item funding request for the “Crystal River Linear Park” project to add a water feature to the area. Inspired by cities such as Winter Garden, the plan would connect a splashpad/water feature, a newly developed Town Square, the newly restored historic Pump House, an event space positioned beneath the City water tower and the previously developed Crosstown Trail multiuse path.

The new splash pad feature opened to the public in November 2021. The project included a water feature with LED lights meant to be used as a play feature during the day and a water feature at night. It also included a brick entry to the Pump House, green lawn space and a large concrete pad poured beneath the water tower to expand the outdoor space.

The City's water tower overlooks the splash pad in front of the Crystal River Pump House.

Photo courtesy of City of Crystal River

Christmas on the Square was held in December 2021. In conjunction with Crystal River Main Street and the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, the City Events and Marketing Department brought in synthetic ice skating for residents and visitors to enjoy over three days. This event was the culmination of the completion of Town Square and displayed beautifully how the park is now the center of downtown Crystal River.

Leslie Bollin is the Events and Marketing Director for the City of Crystal River.

Aerial view of Town Square

Photo courtesy of City of Crystal River

CRYSTAL RIVER TOWN SQUARE PROJECT AWARDED

The City of Crystal River and Crystal River Main Street were recognized with the 2021 Florida Main Street Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Public Improvement administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State. Crystal River Main Street was also given the merit award for Outstanding Sign/Display for the Crystal River Town Square mural project. These awards recognized and distinguished the work of many leaders and community organizations investing in the future of the City.