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2. DOWNTOWN PKG CUP HRA 04-04-2012~~t~~~ "" ~~~ • i • ~ N~ F a R M from Site to Finish 105 South Fifth Avenue Suite 513 Minneapolis, MN 55401 TO: FROM: DATE: RE: Background Annie Deckert, Economic Development Director Kendra Lindahl, Landform March 29, 2012 HRA Downtown Parking Lot Concepts # ~ Tel: 612-252-9070 Fax: 612-252-9077 www.landform.net Landform was asked by the HRA to prepare concept plans for improvements to 716/720 Main Street. Our direction was to prepare 3 concept plans for a parking lot improvement that incorporated some public or semi-public elements, such as a trash enclosure, landscaping planters, benches, etc. Following the. HRA meeting, we met with staff#o learn more aboutprevious discussions and design concepts that had been previously prepared.. Our design area was generally confined to he .716/720 Main parcels. We have reviewed the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance and the Mississippi Connections Redevelopment Framework as background for the planning exercise. We evaluated the existing downtown conditions, including the Rivers Edge Park. On March 21, we met with the Rivers Edge Downtown. Business Association to gather feedback about their vision for this area. The feedback from this group was: • The project area is needed for parking • Support the concept of other amenities, providing parking is the primary focus • Expressed support of reconstructing a shared trash enclosure similar to the one removed with the buildings • Like the idea of benches or similar space where people can relax downtown, although they did not think picnic tables were desirable • Provide streetscaping/landscaping around the entire parking lot (bordered by Main Street, King Avenue and Highway 10) • Use materials from Rivers Edge Park (or similar character) for improvements in this area • Use wrought iron fence, landscaping and/or other improvement to create the "edge" along the streets (Main, King and Hwy 10) • Support for closing the existing mid-block entry in exchange for a stronger pedestrian connection • Concerns about access of the only entry/exit is from King Avenue • a desire for a stronger, more appealing pedestrian connection to the "back" of these buildings • Consider a canopy or awning off the meat market wall to provide shade and a possible park- like area Landform'`', SensiblyGe~~e~'' and Site fo Finishs"" are service marks of Landform Engineering Company. • ~ • • • Consider a "wall fall" on the east wall of Elk River meats • The city should be looking at the design of the entire parking lot, not just the area where the two demolished buildings were • Look for opportunities to provide bicycle and motorcycle parking downtown • A desire to have the parking lot construction done for the Art Soup event on June 16tH • Noted the importance of maintaining access for deliveries to the back of the buildings • A desire for more/better parking signage downtown Concept Alternatives We have prepared three concept alternatives for HRA consideration. These three concepts are included with this memo. There are a number of public improvements that could. be added to any of these concepts. Our original intention was to present these concepts at the HRA meeting, therefore, we will continue to develop imagery that is not included in this packet but will be presented at the meeting. It is important to note that each of the three plans can be modified regarding the amenities to be included. We look forward to discussing with the HRA the preferred parking lot layout and optional amenities that should be included in the master .plan. Amenity Options All of the concept plans include a palette of amenities that can be considered and .added or removed from the final concept plan to develop a master plan that can be implemented over time. Phase I construction must include the parking lot curb & gutter, bituminous, concrete pavers, irrigation and basic landscaping. However, additional landscaping and other improvements could be added or staged over time as budget allows. At the HRA meeting, we will provide a graphic with a palette of options to be considered and cost estimates for the different elements. Generally, all of the basic parking lot improvements in the three concept plans will be a similar investment. The HRA will then be able prioritize the other master plan investments and plan for them as funds become available. signage We have reviewed the existing parking signage downtown and find that the existing parking signage provides clear direction. We do note that the City has chosen to use the standard "P" in a circle to identify public parking areas. This symbol is universally understood to identify parking. However, Elk River has chosen to use brown and green symbols. The standard for public parking areas is a blue parking sign (or green). We would suggest that this simple change could help visitors more readily identify parking areas. However, if the HRA wishes to invest in additional signage, we suggest that the City consider monument signage to identify the key public parking areas. These monument signs could use stone pillars that incorporate the stone from Rivers Edge Park. These monument signs could be located on Main Street as shown on some of the concepts and could be added to the Highway 10 frontage HRA Downtown Parking Lot Concepts April 2, 2012 ~ ! ~ • • and other public parking areas. This type of signage is a significant investment and should be carefully evaluated for cost-benefit. Kiosk The kiosk to provide a business directory, map of downtown and other similar business related activities could be added to any one of the concepts. We envision this kiosk to be a smaller version of the kiosk at River Edge Park. However, whereas the Rivers Edge kiosk appears to be focused more on public announcements, this kiosk could be oriented toward business uses by providing a quality business directory and opportunities to announce business events or sales. Streetscaping In this category we include benches, fences, walls, bike racks and other structural elements. These are critical elements of an attractive parking lot addition. We suggest that a bike rack, similar to the one across the street, and benches be planned as part of any master plan for this site. There was some discussion of picnic tables in this parking lot, but further discussion with the Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association led to consensus that benches were more desirable than tables in this area. We also recommend that streetscape .plan, use landscaping and/fencing to help create an "edge" along Main. Street, that will draw a pedestrian west. from Jackson/Main to meat market to the bank and beyond. Also, now is the time to plan for parking lot lighting. Although not required, it may be something desirable for the non-parking activities like the Farmers Market and Art Soup, etc. Landscaping Landscaping is an important element in any concept plan and can be finalized after the final plan is chosen to work with the streetscape, sign and other master plan improvements. Summary We have provided preliminary concepts for HRA consideration and will provide additional detailed information at the HRA meeting. The HRA should choose a preferred option for the parking lot design and then prioritize other amenities that will be used to create a master plan that can be implemented over time as budget allows. We will be prepared to present the details of the three concept plan options and palette of amenities at the April 2"d HRA meeting. HRA Downtown Parking Lot Concepts April 2, 2012