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The presentation for open house #2 / community workshop: Concepts for a Future Bridge Square, Northfield MN: A community master planning update for 'Northfield's living room'
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City of NorthfieldCommunity Workshop/ Public Open House #2
December 9th, 2013
Concepts for a Future Bridge Square
Marcia A Klopf
Agenda1 Introductions
2 Planning Process and Schedule
3 Urban Design Analysis
4 Previous Planning
5Design Precedents
6Visioning
7 Next Steps
Introductions1
IntroductionsProject Team• John Slack, ASLA Stantec• Griff Wigley Wigley & Associates• Marcia A Klopf Project Intern/ St. Olaf
City Staff Contact• Joe Stapf, Northfield City Engineer
IntroductionsMayor’s Streetscape Task Force (MSTF)• Hayes Scriven• Ross Currier• Dan Bergeson• Robert Will• Steve Edwins
Special thanks to Northfield Historical Society for providing all of the historic images you will see in this presentation.
See Stakeholders Webpage athttp://northfieldcitizenengagement.org/bridgesquare/stakeholders/
The Planning Process2and Schedule
Planning ProcessPublic Input• Transparent process to engage all stakeholders in
a meaningful dialogue about the future of Bridge Square
• Use public face-to-face meetings and online tools to both inform the community and learn their needs, desires, ideas, and feedback. Online tools will include:
• Blog site, discussion threads• Online straw polls• Live web conferences• Ongoing updates via Twitter, Facebook,
text messages, email and local media websites
NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare
Planning ProcessDesign Process• Understand the history of Bridge Square and the
role it plays in the community• Define design precedents to see how other well
known/loved spaces function • Engage in a civic discussion on the future of
Bridge Square• Provide recommendations for the future design
and programming of Bridge Square
Planning Schedule
Tonight’s Meeting
Meeting PurposeGoals and Objectives for this meeting
• Comprehensive understanding of “forces” that affect Bridge Square
• Review public plazas/square case studies to see how other spaces relate to Bridge Square
• Discuss positive and negative attributes about Bridge Square
• Develop a “Vision” for the future of Bridge Square• Generate and discuss ideas for the redesign of
Bridge Square
Urban Design Analysis3
Urban Design AnalysisContext• Roadway
Classification• Gateway
Intersections• ADT’s• Parks/ Open
Spaces• Multi-modal
Routes• Historic
Commercial District
• Public/ Civic Land Uses
• Public Parking• 5 Min. Walk
Urban Design AnalysisSite Parameters• Built Form• Edges• “Hardscape”• “Softscape”• Canopy
Urban Design AnalysisSite Parameters• Pedestrian
circulation/ access
• Views• Infrastructure
Urban Design AnalysisGeometries• Bridge
Square boundary is .96 acres
• “Green” area .34 Acres
4th Street
- 30’ roadway
- 8’ parking lane and (2) 11’ drive lanes
- (6) Parking StallsWater Street
- 23’ roadway
- (3) Parking Stalls
“No Name” Street
- 23’ roadway
- 8’ parking lane and 15’ drive lanes
- (8) Parking Stalls
150’
90’
Urban Design AnalysisExisting Infrastructure• (25)Trees• Flower Pots• Benches• Lighting• Fountain• Civil War Monument• Popcorn Wagon
Urban Design AnalysisPedestrian Circulation• Primary and
secondary connections
• Crossings• Pedestrian/ bike/
vehicular conflicts
Urban Design AnalysisSpatial Orientation• General
guidelines for human spatial orientation
• 2’ - 4’ for Personal Space
• 4’-12’ for Social Space
Seating for show mobile event approx. 75
Standing room only gathering approx. 95 peopleEntire plaza space approx. 275 people
Tents in square approx. 32
Historic Context• Period of Significance
• NPS Historic Register identifies a timeframe of 1850-1924
• NPS Historic Preservation Nomination Form identifies 1870s – 1970’s
• 1992 Historic Context No. 1 "Industrial and Agricultural" context listing identifies a time period of 1855-1945
• HPC designated critical components of the design that should be preserved:• Protect the Open Space and flexibility,• Respect the historic Edges of the
square • Preserve the Circulation and access to
Bridge Square
NPS Rehabilitation StandardsFrom the Dept. of the Interior National Park Service's Secretary of the Interior'sStandards and Guidelines for Preserving Cultural Landscapes
The governing STANDARDS include these: (6 of 8 total)
1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that maximizes the retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces and relationships.2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved.3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use.4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.6. The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the appropriate level of intervention needed.
NPS Rehabilitation StandardsAn Approach of Preservation of an Historic Cultural Landscape includes these GUIDLINES:
1. Identify, Retain, and Preserve Historic Materials and Features.
2. Stabilize and Protect Deteriorating Historic Features and Materials as a Preliminary Measure.
3. Maintain Historic Features and Materials.
4. Repair Historic Features and Materials.
5. Limited Replacement in Kind of Extensively Deteriorated Portions of Historic Features.
NPS Rehabilitation StandardsThese are applied to the specifics of the property's Character Defining Features by consideration of:
1. Topography
2. Vegetation and/or open space
3. Circulation
4. Water features
5. Structures, Furnishings, and Objects
6. Considerations for Accessibility, Environment, and Energy Conservation
Bridge Square Maintenance/ OperationsNorthfield Public Work Staff• The mowing of Bridge Square is contracted
• Weekly cost for mowing is $53.44 a week & an average once a week. • Average 20 to 24 wks.• Equates to Yearly $ $1,068.80 to $1,282,56
• Some years the City will do annual grass seeding just to insure the grass stays green
• No current sprinkler system on Bridge Square• $250.00/ per year
• Yearly mulching of the trees & Shrubs• $500.00 to $750.00 per year
• Maintenance of the Fountain yearly costs (Yearly startup & shutdown, Weekly cleaning, Soaping, Paint.)
• $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 per year• Flower planters ($950.00 Spring planting, Winter $ 500.00 per year)• Yearly estimated 200 to 300 staff labor hours a year and approx.
$5,500 in costs.• Which might include snow removal, weekly cleaning & maintenance.
Bridge Square Maintenance/ OperationsNorthfield Garden Club• Coordination of future plantings with City and on-going
maintenance• Additional soil and improved lawn areas• Need irrigation system• Need more seating• Discussions about programmed uses which may not “fit” within
Bridge Square• Fountain repair and maintenance• Flowers are critical to design and should remain
Programmed events happen in Bridge Square each year.
Annual Events• 3rd Saturday in May-
Northfield Garden Club Event
• End of May/Early June- St. Olaf College Events
• Mid June- Taste of Northfield
• Early July- Milltown Cycles Event
• Mid July- New Prague Band performance
• Late July- Northfield Chamber all day event
• Thursdays in the Summer-Community Band nights
• Fridays in the Summer-Riverwalk/Market Fair
• Early September- Defeat of Jesse James Days
• Sept. 21- Day of Peace• Early October: St.
Dominics Event
Community Uses of Bridge Square
Special Events• July 2011: Laura Baker
Event• August 2011: Outlaw Run• August 2012: Medin• New in early August 2013:
Vintage Band Festival• New in late August 2013:
ArtsCulture night• Art Swirl• Books and Stars• 4th of July
Other Events• Public Gatherings• Break dancing• Fundraising• Coffee/ Lunch• People Watching• Public Vigils• Picnics• Fishing• Garden Club events
Previous Planning4
1916 Plan
Highlights• “Auto-centric” design
provides enhanced circulation for automobiles
• Formalized landscape treatments create “showpiece”
• Limited pedestrian access and use of the space
1966 Plan
Highlights• Design shows
what the Downtown and Bridge Square might look like in 1985
• Mixed-use office building along the river
• Urban plaza• Limited access to
the River• No relationship to
historic context and edges
1999 Plan
Highlights• Multiple options
defined• Central Axis to
River• Ties two parcels
together• Fountain at front
entry• Central circular
plaza for informal staging
• Informal lawn creates seating area
• Arbor structure serves as backdrop to River
Northfield Roundtable Framework 2012
Northfield Roundtable Framework 2012
Highlights• "Healthy Edges": The healthy edges should create the
best communication possible between Bridge Square and the businesses that border it.
• Traffic: Streets that run along Bridge Square and whether it would be a good idea to eliminate one of those to expand the Square. Traffic and parking are important design focuses for the project.
• Pedestrian: This brings to mind the importance of human scale, as well as places to stay and sit throughout the Square that will really draw people in to use it more.
• Greening: Green spaces in more of a pattern. Landscaping can be used to bring attention to a place and make it feel more inviting.
Design Precedents5
Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts• Urban context
surrounded by historic buildings; Saint Paul Hotel, the Landmark Center, Ordway, and the Downtown Library
• Design is all about the “EDGES”
• Approx. 1.8 acres in size
Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts• Park has a fountain,
a bandstand, and character sculptures from the Peanuts cartoons and a man-made ice rink during the winter months
Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts• Allows for rental of
space with electricity provided
• Multiple planned events throughout year including Monday Music in the Parks, and Winter Carnival
• Due to the site’s rich culture and historical significance, Rice Park has been honored as a “Great Place in America” by the APA in 2011
Rice Park, St. Paul
Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts• Existing space located
between four streets• “Taming of an urban
space” in the meatpacking district
• Over 150 years of “high” activity in this space
• Context sensitive solution must respect the district’s historic fabric, pedestrian generating destinations and working character.
• Approx. .12 acre in size
Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts• Design focused on
pedestrian improvements on equal ground with vehicle traffic
• Not much flexibility, as it is in a fixed space
• Plaza does have the possibility of changing its function through what objects are placed in the plaza and support temporary events
Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts• Provides needed traffic
calming
Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts• text• text
Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts• Located in the heart of
downtown between two major hotels and adjacent to Mayo
• Approx. 1.09 acres in size (Peace Plaza .41 Ac., and First Street Plaza .64 Ac.)
Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts• The plaza functions as
the heart of a revitalized downtown district; cohesive gathering space
• A seasonal, all weather programming strategy; emphasizing a lively mix of downtown businesses; lighten and brighten the area; using street exhibits, displays, lighting, murals and shopfronts
Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts• Numerous events
throughout the year: summer market, noontime entertainment (music and theater performances), fall fashion show
• Summer Saturday night Movie on the Plaza; Corvettes on the Plaza;
• Programming for the Plaza almost every day
Peace Plaza, Rochester
University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
Facts• Gateway to the
University Circle District of Cleveland, Ohio
• Vibrant and active social space for students, campus visitors, and patrons of the adjacent restaurants.
• Approx. .2 acres in size
University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
FactsFacts• The design raises the
plaza above the surrounding sidewalks to create an informal stage and extensive seating edges, framed by a linear light feature that meanders through the existing tree canopy.
University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
Facts• text• text
Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts• Located in historic
Lower Town• Originally known as
Baptist Hill in 1851 then donated to the City as a park and land was leveled
• Designed as a “calm oasis surrounded by the excitement of the big city”
• Approx. 3.1 acres
Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts• A place for
entertainment, living and hanging out
• Park hosts numerous events including: Music in Mears, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and Concrete and Grass Music Festival
• Rental events can accommodate 200 guests
Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts• Covered band shell
and meandering stream running diagonally through the park
• Native trees and planting with a variety of seating options
• Volunteers know as the Friends of Mears Park maintain the gardens
Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts• ….
Visioning6What makes a great “Public Place”
• The place is accessible and has linkages;• People are engaged in activities there;• The space is comfortable and has a good image;• It is sociable: one where people meet each other
and take people when they come to visit.
Visioning Exercise (75 minutes)
• At your table identify the opportunities and problems/weaknesses of Bridge Square (25 minutes)
• “Dotmocracy” (5 minutes)
• Identify your Vision for Bridge Square (45 minutes)
• Part One: Document goals, strategies and benefits• Part Two: Draw site features and improvements to physical
space
Homework
• “PLACE” Game Sheet
Next Steps7Schedule• Live web conference (repeat of this open house):
December 11th, 7pm
• “PLACE” Game Sheet• Online Straw Poll• Ongoing blog updates and discussions• Community Workshop #3: Late January/early February
2014
• Provide comments, or additional insights at...NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare
Questions?