2.1.
CC Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 02/12/2018
Information
Title:
Discuss Strategic Direction for Community Sign and Streetscape Plan
Purpose/Background:
Purpose
The purpose of this case is to discuss strategic direction for a work plan to complete a Community Sign and Streetscape Plan. This topic is intentionally abstract in order to provide initial direction and scoping.
The primary reason for bringing this topic forward at this point is to discuss replacing a destroyed sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard. It is possible to discuss replacement of this sign separate from the broader sign plan; however, Staff believes there is merit on reaching consensus on community sign design so that there can be a consistent appearance for these community signs across all districts and areas. Additionally, this topic is generally included within the Council's Strategic Plan, and is anticipated to be discussed in 2018. Finally, the City has been approached by The Links at Northfork to discuss rehabilitation of the shared sign at Highway 10 and Alpine Drive.
With additional resources in the Community Development Department and reconfirmation through the latest Strategic Plan Update, Staff feels confident that it has sufficient resources to complete this task in 2018. Projects within the Resilient Communities Project (RCP - University of Minnesota) have helped advance this discussion. Recent discussions on Highway 10 planning and other corridor planning efforts within the Comprehensive Plan have also helped advance this discussion and set it up for completion in 2018.
Requested Direction
Policy and Process Questions (focus of tonight's discussion; other policy questions will be asked and answered as part of the process itself)
The purpose of this case is to discuss strategic direction for a work plan to complete a Community Sign and Streetscape Plan. This topic is intentionally abstract in order to provide initial direction and scoping.
The primary reason for bringing this topic forward at this point is to discuss replacing a destroyed sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard. It is possible to discuss replacement of this sign separate from the broader sign plan; however, Staff believes there is merit on reaching consensus on community sign design so that there can be a consistent appearance for these community signs across all districts and areas. Additionally, this topic is generally included within the Council's Strategic Plan, and is anticipated to be discussed in 2018. Finally, the City has been approached by The Links at Northfork to discuss rehabilitation of the shared sign at Highway 10 and Alpine Drive.
With additional resources in the Community Development Department and reconfirmation through the latest Strategic Plan Update, Staff feels confident that it has sufficient resources to complete this task in 2018. Projects within the Resilient Communities Project (RCP - University of Minnesota) have helped advance this discussion. Recent discussions on Highway 10 planning and other corridor planning efforts within the Comprehensive Plan have also helped advance this discussion and set it up for completion in 2018.
Requested Direction
Policy and Process Questions (focus of tonight's discussion; other policy questions will be asked and answered as part of the process itself)
- Do we want to focus on just consistent sign design, or do we want to include landscape and streetscape design?
- Do we want to utilize the existing sign package for The COR as a framework (see attached), or should part of the Work Plan include an exercise to review other sign design concepts? In other words, do we want to use the designs of the signs in The COR as a baseline, and then expand their use community wide by re-branding them for the City or other specific nodes (change colors and logos; see attached example)?
- Do we simply want to replace the sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard with its original design?
- Do we want to consider rehabbing The COR signs to match the City logo and colors (see attached) with The COR as a secondary logo on these signs? Estimated cost for this rehab is $5,000 to $10,000, depending on complexity (replacing panels would be the largest cost).
Potential Key Components of a Plan
- Define the goal of the plan. What are the key issues?
- Conceptual Sign Designs
- Map of Community Sign Locations
- Conceptual Standard Streetscape Design/Layout
- Landscape Plan
- Sign Location
- Street Light Plan
- Street Light Banner Concept Design
- Conceptual Design/Layout at Key Nodes and Gateways
- Eastern Gateway (Highway 10 border with Anoka)
- Western Gateway (Highway 10 border with Elk River)
- Bunker Lake Boulevard/TH 47 Node
- 167th Avenue/TH 47 Node
Reasons for a Plan
- Consistent community branding and identity in corridors, districts, and nodes.
- Improved visibility and wayfinding for key nodes.
Background on Case
The following information is provided to help inform policy decisions.
Key Factors Influencing Priority of Plan
- Replace destroyed sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard (County Road 116) and Saint Francis Boulevard (MN Trunk Highway 47).
- Need for wayfinding signage, especially in The COR (identified as a need by The COR Market Panel, Resilient Communities Partnership (University of Minnesota), etc.)
- Staff previously brought forward a discussion topic on street light banner design. Generally speaking, it was the desire of the City Council to speak more strategically and comprehensively, rather than focus on a single, individual component. This discussion occurred in 2016, and the desire was to have this discussion wrapped up by now. Unfortunately, a combination of workload and available resources made it difficult to complete this task. Staff is confident that it now has the resources to accomplish this task and will make it a priority to complete.
- The existing large COR Sign near the Rail Station cost approximately $50,000 and included a dynamic display. Other quotes showed this sign at $75,000.
- The COR Sign at Ramsey Boulevard and Highway 10 was a rehab of the original Holiday Stationstore sign. The cost for sign was approximately $6,500 with $4,000 in landscape allowance.
- The Draw Park and Amphitheater Sign cost approximately $20,000. In lieu of stone, a colored/painted sheet metal base was constructed. An actual stone base would have significantly increased the cost.
- The proposed pedestrian kiosk for The Draw Park and Amphitheater was estimated to cost approximately $35,000, and included an actual stone base.
- To replace the sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard with a design to 'match' the existing COR Signs (with the City branding and color replaced) at an appropriate scale for that intersection would likely cost $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the final design and inclusion of a dynamic display.
- Within the last few years, the City of Andover built a new community sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard. The cost of this sign was approximately $20,000. With this in mind, Staff recommends that the City reevaluate the existing sign package to develop an updated concept design that is more cost effective (but still high quality).
- A key contributor to the higher cost of signs based on The COR Sign Package is the utilization of a significant amount of stone blocks.
Staff Recommendation
- Authorize $7,500 for professional design services for streetscape design. This is a standard template that can be replicated throughout the community for key nodes.
- Bring ideas for new sign design options to the March 13 City Council Work Session.
- Intend to finish the planning document by July 1, 2018.
- Intend to begin construction of replacement sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard/Saint Francis Boulevard by October 1, 2018.
Timeframe:
30 Minutes.
Funding Source:
A majority of this project will be accomplished as part of normal Staff duties. Staff would request up to $7,500 in professional services to aide with landscape architecture to provide high quality images to help supplement the plan. Staff believes this is a necessary step in order to make for a readable plan. This would come from an individual department professional services line item (already budgeted for in 2018).
The City did receive a settlement in the amount of $7,500 from the party that destroyed the sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard that can be applied to the replacement of said sign itself.
The City did receive a settlement in the amount of $7,500 from the party that destroyed the sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard that can be applied to the replacement of said sign itself.
Responsible Party(ies):
Community Development Director
Outcome:
Provide Staff direction on how to proceed with replacement of the destroyed sign at Bunker Lake Boulevard and Saint Francis Boulevard as well as direction on a broader Streetscape and Sign Plan.
Attachments
- Example Sign Designs - The COR
- Example Sign Design - COR Sign Rebranded as City
- COR Parks Signage Quotes
- City Council Work Session Minutes dated June 14, 2016
- Design Services Proposal
- June 14, 2016 Work Session Case
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 02/08/2018 09:23 AM |
| Chris Anderson | Tim Gladhill | 02/08/2018 12:00 PM |
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 02/08/2018 12:06 PM |
| Chris Anderson | JoAnn Shaw | 02/08/2018 12:09 PM |
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 02/08/2018 03:27 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Tim Gladhill
- Started On:
- 02/08/2018 07:31 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 02/08/2018