RiverWalk. V i c e - C h a i r, M i s s i s s i p p i P a r t n e r s T u e s d a y, A p r i l 1 4,

Transcription

1 Imagining a RiverWalk By David J. Laliberte V i c e - C h a i r, M i s s i s s i p p i P a r t n e r s T u e s d a y, A p r i l 1 4,

2 Champions of the Mississippi River in the St. Cloud urban area Ecosystem Urban Development Active Recreation Tourism

3 The Mississippi River in Our Community St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River Corridor Plan (2011): the river as an irreplaceable community asset Action items: Riverfront promenade Amphitheater Interconnected trails on river s west shore St. Cloud Times Editorial Board (Feb 19, 2015): respectful [and] smart development of the Mississippi riverfront Central Minnesota Community Foundation s Community Priorities ( ): revitalize the Mighty Mississippi City of St. Cloud s Comprehensive Plan ( ): greater attention to the Mississippi River

4 The Mississippi River in Other Communities La Crosse, WI Downtown Riverwalk Winona, MN Levee Park Dubuque, IA Mississippi Riverwalk

5 Proposed RiverWalk

6 St. Cloud Hospital Wilson Park Hester Park Centennial Park Cathedral H.S. Construction pending Civic Center

7 Obstructed: Parked cars block river

8 Unsafe: Recreators, traffic side-by-side

9 Unattractive: De facto fishing area uninviting

10 Underappreciated: natural river vista unnoticed

11 Barren: riprap shoreline virtually denuded

12 Eroded: Remaining tree roots compromised

13 Pine Cone Road Trail future Proposed Rotary RiverWalk St. Cloud Area Trails Over view

14 possible future trail connection to Sauk Rapids St. Cloud Hospital Phase 2 Hester Park Wilson Park Proposed Centennial Park Phase 1 RiverWalk Cathedral H.S. Construction pending River s Edge Convention Center

15 RiverWalk: Rehabilitated shoreline, native plants Improves shoreline stability, wildlife habitat Water Treatment Plant 10 wide asphalt trail connections to Lake Wobegon, Beaver Island Trails Wooden boardwalk Antique streetlights, benches Scenic river overlooks Sweeping vistas, benches, historic interpretative panels Fishing piers Cathedral football field Riverside green space Public art, picnic area Expansion possible Future amphitheatre/public gathering space?

16 Diagram adapted from City of St. Cloud s Lake Wobegon Trail Planning Study, Jan road (two-way traffic, parking both sides) 25 uninviting shorefront 15 Maintained yard buffer Weeds/ gravel Public Right-of-Way riprap Mississippi River Current 5 th Avenue, Looking North

17 Spectacular 40 shorefront Diagram adapted from City of St. Cloud s Lake Wobegon Trail Planning Study, Jan road (one-way traffic south, parking one side) 10 asphalt trail 8 boardwalk native plants 15 Maintained yard buffer Proposed Conditions 6 grass/ flower divider 4 grass/ flower divider Public Right-of-Way Mississippi River Envisioned 5 th Avenue, Looking North

18 Side-by-side trail & boardwalk Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth, MN

19 10 wide asphalt trail

20 Boardwalk with benches

21 Scenic overlooks

22 Fishing piers

23 Public art, historic & interpretative panels

24 Rotary riverside branding

25 Possible riverside amphitheatre Lake Hills Amphitheatre, St. John, Indiana

26 Rehabilitated shoreline native plantings

27 Rehabilitated shoreline (Lake George before)

28 Rehabilitated shoreline (Lake George AFTER)

29 Rehabilitated shoreline (Sauk River before)

30 Rehabilitated shoreline (Sauk River AFTER)

31 Rain gardens

32 Events & programming on the water Governor s Fishing Opener Rowing Races Waterski shows Canoe & Kayak Rentals

33 Events & programming on the water Pumpkin Contest & Regatta Powerboat races Triathlons/swimming races Milk Carton Boat Contest & Races

34 Events & programming on the shore Food Truck Festival, Global Market, Burger Battle 5Ks as part of convention activities Granite City Days Parade route/ Fourth of July daytime activities

35 Events & programming on the shore Interpretative hikes CentraCare, Community Education health programming Board & lawn games Plein Air painting

36 Events & programming education Naturalist talks Library book readings/ Stearns History presentations Rotary International water initiatives Little free library

37 RiverWalk Impact on Community Fair, beneficial to all free access for entire community; all land publicly owned; adjacent homeowners retain street access Capitalizes on momentum construction imminent on trail section connecting proposed RiverWalk to downtown; local sales tax funding is hastening Lake Wobegon Trail construction; RiverWalk project could coincide with 5 th Avenue sewer-line improvements, Mississippi River drawdown Visible, impactful, significant long-awaited Mississippi River destination reaching downtown St. Cloud; spectacular nexus between the nationally-known Lake Wobegon Trail and the Beaver Island Trail; among the largest shoreline rehabilitation projects in Central Minnesota history Draws people to destination active recreators, downtown shoppers, community residents seek connections to the river; strengthens and diversifies downtown St. Cloud s appeal; boosts regional tourism, area branding Respectful development Utilization of active space adjacent the river coexists with environmental and conservation best practices Involves Rotary members Rotarians can assist in replanting shoreline, building boardwalk alongside experts Sustained in perpetuity maintenance shared by City of St. Cloud Parks & Recreation, Lake Wobegon Trails Association

38 RiverWalk Lead Partners

39 RiverWalk Partners Potential Collaborators

40 RiverWalk Conceptual Costs Data provided by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist David Leapaldt, IIW Minnesota Senior Architect Engineering study, planning $300,000 Permitting/geotechnical/testing $70,000 Demolition/grading/ $900,000 **in CIP for 2018** sewer improvements/road reconstruction Lighting/wiring $400,000 Trail/boardwalk construction $900,000 Overlooks/fishing piers $500,000 Shoreline rehab/ $350,000 native plantings/irrigation Total Estimated Cost: $3,420,000 **These figures are generalized cost estimates only and are subject to revision**

41 RiverWalk Possible Grants Data provided in part by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist Funding Agency Grant Name Award Size DNR Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources Minnesota Pollution Control Agency U.S. Government National Park Service DNR Aquatic Plant Restoration Clean Water Fund (2008 Legacy Amendment) Section 319 Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Recreational Trail Program Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Outdoor Recreation Grants $35,000 - $75,000; Available for shoreline plants, too $66,000 - $705,000; Local contribution required $300,000 max; 45% local match required $1,000 - $250,000; 25% local match required $250,000 - $500,000; Local contribution required $1,000 - $100,000; Local contribution required

42 RiverWalk Grants, con t Data provided in part by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist Funding Agency Grant Name Award Size Initiative Foundation DNR Central Minnesota Community Foundation DNR Thriving Communities Initiative Parks & Trails Fund (2008 Legacy Amendment) Bernick Family Foundation Grants Outdoor Heritage Fund (2008 Legacy Amendment) $5,000 average; For planning, not capital expenses $20,000 minimum; Local match encouraged $3,000 - $50,000; For health & wellness activities $5,000 - $400,000; 100% local match required Preliminary Total Possible Grant Funds Available (10 grants): $387,000 - $2,585,000

43 RiverWalk Timeline Data provided by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director David Leapaldt, IIW Minnesota Senior Architect Year 1 Begin conceptualizations, hire design/plan/engineer consultant, Rotary member input, Mississippi Partners-led dialogues with community organizations, private fund-raising Year 2-3 Submit Request For Proposal (RFP) with City of St. Cloud and begin engineering study, permitting, grant applications and public hearings Year 3-4 Groundbreaking: road demo, sewer improvements, road reconstruction Construction: of trail, lighting, boardwalk, overlooks, fishing piers Shoreline rehabilitation Grand Opening

44 Lake George St. Cloud town plat, 1869

45 Imagining a RiverWalk The End

46

47 Addendum 1: existing Fifth Avenue road widths (measured curb-top to curb-top)

48 Addendum 2: Duluth Lakewalk widths Asphalt trail: 9 2 Median: 4 10 Boardwalk: 6 6

49 Addendum 3: Shoreline rehabilitation cost estimates submitted by Greg Berg, Stearns County SWCD PRELIMINARY - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION 1 Herbicide Treatment (Rodeo or equal) & Site Preparation 1 Job 2, , Erosion Control Blanket (NAG C125BN or equal) 2100 Sq. Yd , Erosion Control Blanket (NAG SC150BN or equal) 6000 Sq. Yd , Hardwood Stakes, 6" 8910 Each , Cover Crop - Annual Rye 150 Lb Native Grass Plugs 3800 Each , Native Grass Seed 24.0 Lb Wildflower Plugs 3800 Each , Wildflower Seed 15.0 Lb , Trees and/or Shrubs (1-2 Gallon) - Transitional Zone 235 Each , Vines (1-2 Gallon) - Transitional Zone 235 Each , Trees and/or Shrubs (1-2 Gallon) - Upland Zone 150 Each , Recording Fee 1 Each , TOTAL 64,768.50