Academic Village designs propose amphitheater, canal walk and a central village green

Consultants presented three approaches for Academic Village that aim to balance conservation with a lively, mixed‑use town center.

One option includes an amphitheater backing onto conserved wetland and a causeway of water leading into a central plaza, or village green, framed by a tree‑lined median boulevard. Other alternatives show diagonal main streets that peel from Del Prado and return toward Kismet, waterside plazas and canal walks lined with buildings to enable waterfront promenades that mirror European canal districts.

The team noted parts of Academic Village already contain high‑quality conservation areas that the city has carved out to be preserved; the designs seek to focus development on remaining buildable parcels. Consultants said Academic Village appears to have nearer‑term market potential for office and retail and could support class‑A office in some scenarios, though numbers presented were illustrative.