Dover, Kohl & Partners led a public charrette in 2001 that was attended by almost 400 people, during which citizen planners explored three scenarios. The first was a scenario with very few buildings in the park. The second had a portion of the park set aside for museums and other cultural institutions. The third let private development into the park in order to better define public spaces and fund park improvements. After lengthy debates by City Commissioners, the second scenario was chosen and was dubbed, "Museum Park." and was dubbed Museum Park (now Maurice Ferre Park.

Bicentennial Park was the last, best opportunity to create a first-quality public environment on the Downtown Miami waterfront. Museums and their outdoor exhibition grounds are now destinations inside the park. The Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Science Museum line the western edges of the park to give them prestigious addresses and prominence on Biscayne Boulevard. They also help conceal I-395 from view, while maintaining a wide view corridor of Biscayne Bay between them.

The museums’ service areas are located on the backs and below the buildings away from the view of the central open space, which is intended for passive recreation, informal play, and special events.