9.C.1. PRSR 04-09-2003 Item # 9.C.l.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FROM: Chris Leeseberg, Planner
DATE: April 9, 2003
SUBJECT: Riverwalk Concepts
Request
Staff will be presenting conceptual designs for a downtown park. Staff will be looking for
input relating to the uses of the park,the connection to a riverwalk and/or whether or not a
fishing pier should be incorporated into the overall design.
Analysis
There is approximately 35-40 feet of grade separation from Main Street to the Mississippi
River. This feature will be a challenge in trying to incorporate different uses/features within
different areas of the park.
Staff is exploring the concept that some form of a pocket plaza be placed at the Main Street
level with direct physical connections to the street and sidewalks while maintaining some
visual connection to the river.
The area at the level equal to the parking behind the existing buildings seems to be an
appropriate area for some form of a public gathering area. This level is roughly 20-feet
above the river. This grade separation would require a vast amount of ramping to provide
ADA compliance to a fishing pier.
An area between this public space and the river staff feels would be a good area to
incorporate some heavy natural landscaping,in the hopes that it would create a noise buffer
from the activities of the downtown. This would create a nice pocket of space that has its
focus on the river.
The thought will be to have a transition from hardscaping at the street level to more natural
landscaping towards the river.
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