CCMIN071613 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Narum said the division of the great lawn area with trees seemed to conflict with the desire to create a larger area for the bandstand. She also thought the adjacent water/adventure play area would be more suitable on the Delucchi Park side where it would not conflict with efforts to extend the plaza area from the Firehouse Arts Center during larger events. Mr. Larson said there are always tradeoffs when trying to accommodate this many uses. He noted that the great lawn area is actually quite large, more than twice the size of the current bandstand's audience area and thought the schematics might be deceiving in that regard. He said the thought was the trees would help to define the audience area as well as provide shade and relief for those at the edge of the audience. With regards to the water/adventure play element, the thinking was that there was a need for active use at that end of the park. While its proximity to the bandstand provides parents with a clearer view of their children, it also creates more sound interference during concerts and other productions. He explained that the task force considered this feature carefully and determined this to be the best location. Councilmember Narum asked why the plaza on West Neal Street was not extended up to Railroad Avenue. Mr. Larson referred to the schematic, noting locations that would allow bollards to be installed to block the intersection from First Street to just west of Railroad Avenue. He acknowledged that this has a potential to be a wonderful pedestrian activity area and said it could certainly be reconfigured. Councilmember Narum said she envisioned this area as one of the gateways of the downtown and asked if Mr. Larson felt the proposed elements contributed to that sort of feel. Mr. Larson explained that it is really better addressed during the design phase of the project but noted that the master plan calls the area out as being a gateway from both directions. He said there are two schools of thought on how to define a gateway. One is overt and uses water features, arches, signage and other more obvious elements. The other is simply to incorporate elements that make for an inviting public activity area. Throughout this process, the concept was this area should be obviously finished and welcoming but not too formal. Councilmember Pentin said he loved the features and creativity of Option A. Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing. Joe Streng, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, referred to the minutes of the May meeting and stated that the Commission unanimously supported Option A. He said there has been considerable discussion about the project in the context of the bandstand and Friday Night Concerts but said the Commission feels strongly that it is more about creating a public space in the limited downtown area than it is about the concerts. The Commission feels that every inch of available space should be utilized to its greatest benefit, which Option A accomplishes in ways that Option B and the open swale does not. He noted significant community concerns regarding the safety of the open swale as well as support for widening the pedestrian area all the way up to Railroad Avenue. He stated that the Commission also heard from community members who wish to resource the granite blocks with the Lions Wayside swale into some sort of design element within the park. The Commission felt strongly enough about the idea that it included this in its motion. He noted that the Commission did not reach a consensus regarding the swale on the Delucchi Park side but strongly favored Option A on the Lions Wayside end. Councilmember Narum asked if the Commission discussed the location of the water/adventure play area. Mr. Streng said there was not strong support for a water feature, but that the Commission supported the recommendation in terms of the conceptual location for the play area. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 13 July 16, 2013