Review of Initial Former PD Site Concepts

The Park District prepared three preliminary site plans for the City to review. The concepts incorporate many of the amenities discussed during the public input process and at the August 3 Committee of the Whole meeting. City Council should view these plans as initial drafts, not as final options, intended to illustrate how various amenities could fit within the site and to help generate discussion between the City Council and Park Board.

While the City Council does not need to make any final decisions at this workshop, staff will soon need general direction on several larger elements that could significantly influence the overall design and use of the site, for example:

• Does the City want to retain the western portion of the existing building for future reuse?
• Is the City comfortable with the potential impacts to existing parking?
• Is the City open to incorporating a skate ribbon, recognizing that this would be a Park District amenity that Park District would manage?
• Which amenities does the City Council strongly support and want incorporated into future versions of the site plan?

One amenity not shown on the preliminary site plans, but still under consideration, is the small shops concept. Through discussions with the Park District, they do not believe the site is conducive for this amenity due to its impact on greenspace and functionality. To still show economic impact via programming within the concepts, an outline of temporary tents for craft or art fairs are shown on the wide internal pathways. Direction from the City Council on this amenity would be helpful as the concepts are refined. Options could include pursuing the small shops a phase II rather than in the initial development or removing the concept from further consideration.

Staff will use the City Council’s input from the workshop to help determine the next steps in the planning process. Ultimately, staff will return to the Park District with this feedback to further refine the concepts and prepare updated site plans. As an intermediate next step, staff may also distribute a follow-up survey to City Council members to gather additional feedback and help identify areas of consensus following the discussion.

The presentation from the August 3 meeting is attached for reference and provides additional information on the potential amenities discussed.

Option A – Retaining a Portion of the Building

The defining feature of Option A is the demolition of the eastern portion of the existing building while retaining the western portion for future reuse. Based on a preliminary evaluation, the Park District has identified approximately 3,000 square feet that they would utilize to support park operations. This area, shown on the concept plan as the northern portion of the remaining building, would include public restrooms, storage for programming and maintenance equipment, and space for Park District staff to serve visitors during programmed activities.

The remaining, approximately 5,500 square feet, would remain under the City’s control for future use to be determined. The City would need to identify the most practical and beneficial use of this space. Potential uses discussed during the public input period included community-oriented space, such as a community room, visitor center, art gallery, or private commercial use, such as a restaurant. Any community-oriented space would be at the City’s expense.

Option A includes the following primary amenities:

• Walking Path/Skate Ribbon: An irregularly shaped circular walking path would be located on the northeast portion of the site. During warmer months, the area would function as a walking path and flexible passive space with opportunities for seating, small lawn games, and other informal activities. The space could also accommodate small events and provide a viewing area for activities at the bandshell. During the winter, the path could be converted into a skate ribbon, creating a winter attraction that could also incorporate amenities such as fire pits. The Park District would manage the skate ribbon, with the retained building with provide operational support.
• Bandshell: A small bandshell would be located on the northeast portion of the site and provide space for performances and community programming. The bandshell would be managed by the Park District but could also be incorporated into existing City events and other activities occurring downtown.
• Open Air Market: A pavilion style structure would be located on the southern portion of the site and designed to accommodate a farmers market, community events, and similar programming. When not being used for programmed activities, the covered area could accommodate parking. Seating and gathering areas would also be incorporated around the structure.
• Freedom Shrine: The concept relocates and enhances the Freedom Shrine, placing it in a more prominent location near the center of the site. Its location and design could also help screen the existing well house and better integrate that infrastructure into the overall site.
• Passive Play Area: A small passive play area would incorporate gentle landscaped mounds that create opportunities for climbing, exploration, imaginative play, and other informal activities. The intent is to provide opportunities for children and families while maintaining an open, flexible, and natural character rather than creating a traditional playground.

Option B – Complete Removal of the Building

There are two notable differences with this option. First, the existing building would be completely removed. Second, the site plan does not include an ice-skating ribbon. Of the three options, this concept provides the most passive park setting and is anticipated to be the least expensive to construct. The plan also includes new public restrooms located adjacent to the existing wellhouse. The floodplain wall along the perimeter of the existing building would need to be retained. Option B includes the following primary amenities which many are similar to Option A and C.

• Bandshell: The bandshell would be positioned the same as proposed in Options A and C.
• Freedom Shrine: In this site plan the Freedom Shrine is still relocated and enhanced, however is located off of the riverwalk.
• Open Air Market: This would be located and function the same as Options A and C.
• Passive Play Area: This would be located and function the same as Options A and C.

Option C – Partial Removal of the Building and Skate Ribbon

There are two notable differences with Option C. First, the existing building would be almost entirely removed. The northern portion would be retained to support Park District operations, including restrooms, equipment storage, and customer service functions. Second, the existing parking around the perimeter of the site in the other options would be removed, allowing additional space to be dedicated to park and open space uses. The floodplain wall along the perimeter of the existing building would need to be retained. Largely, Option C includes the same primary amenities as Options A.

• Bandshell: The bandshell would be positioned and function the same as proposed in Options A and B.
• Freedom Shrine: The Freedom Shrine would be positioned and function the same as proposed in Option A.
• Open Air Market: The Open Air Market would be located and function the same as proposed in Options A and B.
• Passive Play Area: The passive play area would be located and function the same as proposed in Options A and B.

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