Commissioner Bhatt Proposes Transforming North Beach's West Lots into Comprehensive City Park
After years of stalled development plans and underutilized parcels, Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt is proposing to transform all eight city-owned West Lots along Collins Avenue into an integrated public park that could rival the recently opened Bayshore Park in scope and community impact.
Background
The West Lots, spanning 9.43 acres between 79th and 87th Streets in North Beach, have become a symbol of unrealized potential. Despite multiple planning initiatives dating back to 2018's Plan NoBe master planning process, the prime real estate currently houses just three parking lots, a skate park, an Ocean Rescue facility, and the SoBe Cats Kitty Campus.
Bhatt's December 17th referral to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee represents a departure from previous piecemeal approaches. "Instead of the status quo, let's give this remarkable green space in our North Beach neighborhood the respect it deserves to unlock its fullest potential," Bhatt wrote in her commission memorandum.
The proposal comes after a lengthy history of failed initiatives. Previous approved uses including a hydroponic farming partnership and food and entertainment yard never materialized. A 2019 referral to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee yielded no recommendations, while a 2024 Land Use and Sustainability Committee discussion has been repeatedly deferred.
The only recent progress has been monthly community activations at Lot Four, approved in June 2025, which Bhatt notes have been "well-received and well-attended."
Key Stakeholders
Commissioner Bhatt is leading the initiative, with the proposal requiring review by the Land Use and Sustainability Committee before potential City Commission consideration. The Parks and Recreation Department has already conducted resident surveys regarding preferred recreational uses, though the results and recommendations have been delayed.
Previous commissioners have shown interest in the area's development. Commissioner David Suarez referred the matter to LUSC in 2024, while former Commissioner Micky Steinberg initiated discussions in 2019. The recent monthly activations received support from Commissioners Alex J. Fernandez and Laura Dominguez.
Bhatt suggests engaging Savino/Miller, consultants who have worked with the city previously, to develop the conceptual vision.
Financial Impact
The proposal currently carries no fiscal impact, as Bhatt is seeking only conceptual development at this stage. "We do not need the entirety of the project costs to be fully funded at this time," she notes, emphasizing that creating a vision represents "a small cost" compared to the potential transformation.
However, the financial implications could be substantial. Bhatt references Bayshore Park, which has "attracted residents from all over the Beach, and from beyond our municipal borders," suggesting the North Beach park could generate similar regional draw and economic impact.
The proposal acknowledges that "there is no as-yet identified source of funding for this project," but positions the conceptual planning as a necessary first step toward identifying potential revenue streams.
Community Impact
The transformation could significantly alter North Beach's recreational landscape. The West Lots occupy a strategic position between the North Shore Historic District and the oceanfront, with existing parking areas that Bhatt notes are "used primarily for circling for parking."
Bhatt envisions integrating existing facilities like the skate park and Ocean Rescue station "in a less obtrusive way" while potentially relocating the historic Log Cabin facility to its original site near 81st Street. The proposal also suggests improved "micromobility connectivity" along the Collins Avenue corridor.
The timing coincides with successful community activations that have demonstrated resident appetite for enhanced programming in the area. Monthly events at Lot Four have provided a testing ground for community engagement in the space.
What's Next
The referral heads to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, though the timing remains uncertain given previous deferrals of West Lots discussions until at least January 2026. Bhatt's proposal could accelerate or redirect those ongoing discussions toward a more comprehensive vision.
If approved for study, the city would likely engage consultants for conceptual planning before developing detailed cost estimates and funding strategies. The multi-phase approach could extend the timeline significantly, though Bhatt argues that months of conceptual work are necessary regardless of funding availability.
The proposal represents perhaps the most ambitious vision yet for the long-stalled West Lots, potentially creating North Beach's signature public space while addressing longstanding community calls for enhanced recreational amenities in the area.
