The Waterfront - Status of Community Building/Splash Pad Planning and COR Study Update

The Waterfront
The community and city leadership have been engaged in planning and envisioning [and building] a vibrant, successful downtown in Ramsey for two decades.  The Draw park & amphitheater was completed in 2010 and has been proven to be a popular and valued resource for residents throughout the city—and at the same time, public investments in parks (and other infrastructure) have increased adjacent land values, with favorable private development following.  West of The COR as an example, Pearson Park helped facilitate the Riverstone Development to rapidly build-out with its residential product.  Within The COR, PACT Charter School was built following the commitment of the city to construct the athletic field there. Townhomes continue to be desirable near The Draw—and Greenway Terrace was named after the planned-for greenway connecting the downtown parks to the rest of Ramsey via trails.  And, even though PSD Land Development had developable property in the downtown, it purchased land from the city and built a highly successful market rate apartment named Parkside Village, over-looking The Draw.  Additionally, the 55+ Affinity building (at a present occupancy of 93% or full by industry standards), purchased their property from the city only upon the promise that the park plans for The COR would be fulfilled. The above examples, demonstrate that public investments in quality parks and trails help facilitate many valuable returns, including tens-of-millions in private investments in the community, development fees paid, and ongoing property tax revenue to take care of trails and park facilities.

At the joint City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority meeting this Spring, discussion included strategies for ensuring that the city may successfully complete the ambitious project of developing Ramsey's downtown and selling city-owned land at the same time. There appeared to be unanimous consensus that investments in infrastructure and grading of the NW Quadrant in The COR, to include excavation of The Waterfront for fill—along with advancing park development—all should be investigated together for obvious synergies and for the value the park development would have for the community at large, as well as for the sale and development of land in the NW Quadrant (known as Parcel #46).

Following the aforementioned joint meeting, the Economic Development Authority recommended approval of The COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis which is anticipated to be completed in the coming weeks with the findings to be presented to the EDA and City Council for direction and next steps (which is expected to occur in January 2023).  Concurrent with this study, staff began work with an architectural firm to examine various aspects of the proposed community building at The Waterfront—to identify an array of options for the project, that would yield the maximum value to the community at-large for an investment of an appropriate scope.

Architect Gregory Houck, Principal at Cuningham will represent with staff, this preliminary work on how the park building could serve Ramsey residents and the community.  Program elements at this juncture include a two-story indoor playground and climbing wall, fitness area and locker/restrooms, concessions, and restaurant with outdoor seating and attendant lawn games. The proposed second floor would have a rooftop patio with banquet space to rent for large events as well as a community room. Additional information will be available at the work session, and based upon a consensus to proceed, more 'proof-of-concept' and preliminary cost estimates will be developed for subsequent Council consideration. 


COR and Wetland Study Update
Bolton and Menk is nearing completion of the Wetland delineations and approval of those delineations by the WMO and COR infrastructure/site preparation studies. These studies will set the baseline information for options and cost relating to the installation of remaining infrastructure in the COR, These studies will also include information that will assist in development of The Waterfront park, the potential filling of wetlands for site preparation for Parcel 46 and other parcels in the COR.  Staff anticipates that the findings of these studies will be presented in a future work session in January or February.
 

Background and planning on The Waterfront's proposed community building: 10-15 minutes
Discussion and inquiries on the park's planning process and timeline: 5 minutes
Status of The COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis: <5 minutes

Total Timeframe: 20 minutes

Park planning work is being performed by staff and consultants funded by the 2022 General Fund parks operating budget.

The COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis is being performed by consultants and funded by TIF District 14 and/or District 2.
 

Mark Riverblood will provide a very brief introduction and background on The Waterfront project, and architect Greg Houck will present preliminary design of the proposed park building, together with a description of its utility and feasibility.

Sean Sullivan will be available to address the wetland delineation/mitigation process (an element of the attached COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis and Wetland Delineation scope of work) and site preparation work required for Parcel #46 and other lands in the COR, if needed.

Bruce Westby will be available to address the status and next steps of The COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis, if needed.

This work session case is a brief report to Council on the potential of a community building and associated park elements proposed for The Waterfront.  (A more in depth discussion on the park and The COR – Public Infrastructure Analysis is anticipated early in 2023.)