The City of Tampa and its mayor, Bob Buckhorn, broke ground this week on the redevelopment of Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. W and Civitas designed the park revitalization, which is a $35 million project that represents the city's first major investment on the West Bank of the river in a generation. The park will provide new recreational facilities and activate the entire neighborhood. Mayor Buckhorn called city parks “the great equalizers,” open and free for all to enjoy. The new park will slope toward the water, opening up river views that were obscured by the previous design. W's new boathouse is built into a slope, so that the lower floor for boating-related activity is accessed from below, at water level. The boathouse will be visible from the entire park and downtown – and will provide sweeping views of the entire area. The design of the overall park will allow for groups and individuals to share the space, and will offer numerous recreational opportunities along the river. It will also connect pedestrians and bicyclists to the greenway trail and to the Riverwalk along the east bank via many bridges.