Water Play Development at The Waterfront - Progress Report

 As part of the city's community park system planning, a water-centric park known as The Waterfront has been envisioned for more than a decade in Ramsey's downtown. In 2023, the mass grading for the 16-acre park was completed as part of the preparation of pad-ready development of the entire northwest quadrant of The COR.  In 2024, the surrounding streets were constructed together with parking for the build-out of the park.  Also last Fall, basic landscaping was completed, with a trail that circumnavigates the 7-acre deep-water pond, and connects the park to the adjoining residential areas and greater community.

 Earlier this year, City Council developed its 2025 Strategic Plan that included a high-level work plan for The Waterfront.  In June, the Park & Recreation Commission recommended, and the Council approved engaging Damon Farber to facilitate the development of a plan and process to meet the goal of having the water-play park improvements completed and open to the public in July 2026. This planning process is proceeding programmatically and with the full attention of staff and consultants needed to meet the aforementioned goal.  

When City Council authorized the plan and process leading to Spring construction of the water play and associated park improvements, the 'solution' to providing restrooms was not known with certainty, but the option of utilizing prefab restrooms was understood to be likely.  At present, the planning team is nearing the completion of the Schematic Design phase and has identified a site plan that works very well for the location of the restrooms, which will also house all the mechanicals (sewer, water, water play distribution and control equipment), together with maintenance storage for the completed park improvement project. 

One anticipated factor relating specifically to the prefab building was the approximate 7-month production and delivery timeline. In order to have the building on site +/- April for prime contractor assembly and to begin incorporating electrical equipment and mechanical and other site improvements, the city would need to order the building this month or no later than September 2025. Thus, the purpose of this case is to acknowledge the requirement of this pre-bid order, and also to receive a general progress report on this meaningful and significant project that will have so many benefits for the community.

As indicated, for the meeting, staff will present broader background information on The Waterfront park plans, and additional detail on the scope and schedule of the fasted-pace work to be performed over the next 11 months.  This will include some preliminary cost estimates to include:

~ Prefab restroom and support building with delivery @ $274k (projected to be on City Council's agenda for approval August 26th or September 9th, 2025).  Additional costs to install would be included in the bid later on.

~ Sewer and water main construction in the Fall of 2025 @ $132k (staff to obtain quotes, with authorization to proceed by Council action in September or October 2025).

More information will be available at the work session.

All funding for the work and expenditures to occur in 2025 and 2026 would be from the Park Trust Fund which has a present balance in excess of $7M.



 

Staff recommends acknowledgment that the prefab restroom and support building, as well as the sewer and water main work, will both be on a subsequent City Council consent agenda for formal approval(s).

 Motion to recommend to City Council that the prefab restroom and support building, as well as underground utility work for The Waterfront park improvement project, will be on a subsequent and separate City Council consent agenda for formal approvals.