Recommend Park Monuments for The Draw - 2013 Parks Capital Improvement

On February 5th, 2013, the Park and Recreation Commission met with City Council in a joint work session for the purposes of a preview of the 2013 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Consensus was generally that most projects should move forward as discussed within the CIP document.

However, considerable discussion ensued regarding the two park entrance monuments (signs) for The Draw.  Discussion may be summarized between two views:

One shared by a couple Council members was that park signage need not cost several 10's of thousands of dollars.  Another position iterated was that these are indeed way-finding monuments, and are also expected to be in service for many decades - and should be constructed in a manner that befits the 3 million dollar investment that represents the 7-acre park's construction cost. (It may also be noted that the entrance monument at Central Park cost approximately $50,000 in 1997.)

 

The purpose of this case is to further the discussion on the scope and cost of the proposed 2013 monuments for The Draw. Several documents are attached to aid in the discussion:

• The COR sign design guidelines approved by City Council in December 2012
• Exhibit showing the two monument or sign locations for The The Draw
• 'Cadillac' monument cost
• 'Chevrolet' monument cost
• 'Metro Geo' monument cost

Staff requested three estimates from sign maker Archetype from Minneapolis (based upon the approved COR sign guidelines), in three quality/cost 'levels' fondly referred to herein as the 'Cadillac', 'Chevrolet' and 'Geo Metro' for descriptive purposes.  While the price points are outlined in the attachments, Staff does not have a perspective view to compare these choices to, but has asked the vendor to prepare these to be available for the meeting.

It may also be noted that the intent for this element of the Parks CIP would be to have these installed if possible in time for the The Draw Summer Concert Series beginning June 20th. (Attached also for your information is the summer schedule of events.)

The funding source is presently shown as $20,000 within the 2013 Parks CIP from the Park Improvement Trust Fund.

A Staff recommendation is pending the examination of the perspective views of the three categories of monument choices, together with an investigation of materials and durability and utility.

Motion to recommend to City Council a level of scope and cost for the two monuments and way-finding signs for The Draw, based upon discussion.