Begin Process of Public Engagement for the Proposed Municipal Plaza

As the case title introduces, the purpose of this agenda item is to invite public engagement for the proposed Municipal Plaza, and also to discuss concepts and configurations.  The park has been envisioned to be on the north side of Sunwood Drive with its position being in many ways, the center of the Center of Ramsey or The COR.

As the Commission will recall, a similar invitation for ideas and public comment was issued for the lake feature in The COR, and the Commission held an open house explicitly for this purpose.  Much planning and visioning for the park space called Lake Ramsey on the city's development plan remains.  

There is a strong beneficial value to commercial and residential properties that abut quantity parks.  For this reason, expressing what either of these two proposed parks ('Lake Ramsey' and Municipal Plaza) may look like is useful in attracting developers.  Additionally, there can be cross-easements and shared uses for certain amenities and infrastructure, E.g. a park may accommodate stormwater from an adjacent residential property, or a restaurant site may have public/private paths that lead customers to the business, or an adjoining park may provide seating or programming beneficial to a particular business. 

Another reason that exploring concepts for the two proposed park together is timely, is that given their close geographic relationship (and eventual connection in some manner), the public spaces should be complimentary in opportunities for residents and visitors, and should have minimum redundancies in what they offer patrons in terms of programming and experience.

Attached are three alternatives for the proposed Municipal Plaza.  As indicated, Staff is seeking any and all feedback from the Commission, residents and the business community.  This invitation shall be extended via the city's web site, and each commission, board and City Council will be asked to engage as well.  In the end, the park space may look and function like one of the concepts presented, a hybrid of the three - or something quite different.

It should be pointed out that there is no timeline per se, however ideally, a buyer may be found for the land adjacent to the park(s) and a park development plan may be crafted that is synergistic with the new residential or commercial land use.

None required at this time.

As indicated, Staff will continue to assimilate all comments on parks and public spaces within The COR - and so Staff's recommendation is for Commissioners to have discussions with residents, friends and neighbors on these planning endeavors, and share the feedback with Staff, within or aside from the regular Commission meeting.

None required: Based upon discussion.