The Waterfront - Status of Community Building/Splash Pad Planning

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 Parkview East, 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 a joint City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority meeting in the Spring of 2022, 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 may occur later in February).  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.

Staff is working with architect Gregory Houck, Principal at Cuningham 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.

Following the above concept plan development, Cuningham has been directed to enhance the concept plans with schematic design aspects of the proposed building for the purpose of identifying preliminary probable costs for the structure and site work immediately adjacent to it (splash pad, patio, hardscape and grounds). 

As indicated, comprehensive planning and cost analysis for public infrastructure and grading in the NW Quadrant in The COR is being completed, to include The Waterfront. It is anticipated the Public Works Committee of City Council will be presented this information on February 21st and City Council the following week for consensus direction to proceed.  The first steps in this endeavor is likely to include developing a funding package and strategy leading to the sale of city-owned land in The COR.  Developing preliminary costs for the community building and splash pad at The Waterfront is an important part of this, and should be completed over the course of the next several weeks.

For the meeting, staff will present the background on this park project that has been in the making for two decades, together with details on how the project will ultimately serve the entire community.
 

Park planning work is being performed by staff and consultants funded by the 2023 General Fund parks operating budget.

Staff recommends feedback on this stage of park planning that is an extension of the last several years of direction by the Commission on how The Waterfront will serve the community.

No action required at this time--this case is informational.