COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN Project Title: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and Cowles Conservatory Renovation

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1 Board Plan Review/Approval: 10/22/2014 (committee) 11/5/2014 (full board) Last Plan Revision Date: 10/17/2014 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN Project Title: MPRB Division: Planning Project Manager: Dana Murdoch As required by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Code of Ordinances, every construction or redevelopment project undertaken within the MPRB Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is to have a community engagement plan. The plan serves as a guide for the community engagement process through the multiple phases of planning and project development. The plan may be modified as circumstance warrants during project duration. Substantial modifications are to be communicated to stakeholders and the MPRB Board of Commissioners. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The has three general areas of focus: Strengthen Infrastructure Repair and/or replace deteriorating garden features: stairways, planters, walkways, fences, trees/plant material, water pond, parking lot Increase Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Introduce stormwater management, improve drainage, irrigation, and improve energy efficiency. Expand Accessibility and Safety Upgrade accessibility throughout, improve safety features, and replace furnishings. The major focus of the project is to reconstruct the sculpture garden which presents an opportunity to improve upon the existing garden, such as its entrance points, and relationships with the conservatory building and adjacent amenities. It is the MPRB s expectation to improve the visitor s garden and art experience and improve the ongoing maintenance and operations of the garden and conservatory.

2 Page 2 Cowles Conservatory requires, at a minimum, overall energy efficient improvements and temperature control systems and universal accessibility upgrades to the restrooms and the walking surfaces. The conservatory building will be evaluated to visualize its highest and best purpose in the future. The overall project shall utilize sustainable site and building design practices. These practices include stormwater management and reuse systems (such as stored surface run off for irrigation if feasible), native plantings, recycled and recyclable materials, and plantings for shade in summer and as wind breaks in cooler weather. PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES Sources Amount Expiration MWMO Grant up to $1,500,000 - Minnesota State Bonding $8,500,000 TBD ANTICIPATED PROJECT OUTCOME The reconstructed sculpture garden and renovated conservatory will: Provide outdoor art exhibit space in partnership with the Walker Art Center. Improve drainage and stormwater management practices throughout the project. Utilize sustainable site and building design practices, such as: native plantings, recycled and recyclable materials, and plantings for shade in summer and as wind breaks in cooler weather. Improve universal accessibility for the garden and conservatory. Improve safety features. Improve energy efficiency. Repaired or replaced stairways, planters, walkways, fences, trees/plant material, water pond, furnishings. Reduce ongoing planned maintenance and operations needs for the garden and conservatory. Increase economic feasibility of garden and conservatory. Establish welcoming and recognizable entry points and connections into the garden while defining the garden edges. Integrate adjacent projects simultaneously in design and under construction. Decided use for conservatory. Plan for a variety of events that can adapt to multiple and changing activities. Address conditions and needs for adjacent parking lot and overall parking needs. Provide basic support facilities (bathrooms, parking, drinking water, shade, lighting, trash collection etc.) to assure a safe, clean, and comfortable experience.

3 Page 3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION Level of Engagement: CONSULT The community engagement goal of this project is to work with stakeholders for input and direction in developing a reconstruction plan for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and future use and renovation plan for the Cowles Conservatory. An appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is recommended for this project due to the scope of the project and the need to engage a wide range of stakeholders. A CAC charge and composition will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval. CAC members shall commit to the entire eight month design process (December 2014 July 2016). Inform Consult Collaborate Partner Engagement Goal: To provide stakeholders with factual, balanced, and timely information to help them understand the project. To obtain stakeholder feedback on project analysis, alternatives, or decisions. To work directly with stakeholders throughout the process to ensure that perspectives are consistently understood, considered, and reflected in project decisions. To partner with stakeholders in each aspect of decision making in order to develop and implement collaborative project solutions. MPRB Promise to the Public: The MPRB will keep stakeholders informed. The MPRB will keep stakeholders informed, listen to and acknowledge feedback, and work to ensure stakeholder feedback is reflected in alternatives developed. The MPRB will work with stakeholders for advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate recommendations to the maximum extent possible. The MPRB and partner entity will be accountable to their roles as negotiated in the partnership and regularly evaluate overall success of the partnership. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) CAC CHARGE The CAC shall become knowledgeable about the project and its scope, understand and represent the garden and conservatory needs of the community, users, and visitors, act as community liaisons for the project, participate in public CAC meetings, advise MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process and recommend to the

4 Page 4 Board of Commissioners a preferred conceptual design for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and. RECOMMENDED CAC APPOINTMENTS Park Board President Wielinski (appoints chair) Park District 4 Commissioner Anita Tabb At Large Park Commissioner Annie Young At Large Park Commissioner Meg Forney At Large Park Commissioner John Erwin Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman Walker Art Center Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Mayor Betsy Hodges 3rd District County Commissioner Marion Greene Minneapolis School Board Director Josh Reimnitz District 61A State Representative Frank Hornstein District 61 State Senator D. Scott Dibble Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA) Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) Citizens for a Loring Park Community (CLPC) Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (BMNA) Kenwood Isles Area Association (KIAA) University of Minnesota College of Design Minneapolis Downtown Council Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition Total 21 STAKEHOLDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES All stakeholders are expected to work collaboratively to create and refine design concepts and provide input toward final project recommendations for approval by the Board of Commissioners. Participants are expected to engage in the process in a manner that promotes respectful civil discourse and enhances mutual understanding of all stakeholder viewpoints. Any requests for public or project information should be directed to the project manager. PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association (LHNA) Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA Citizens for a Loring Park Community (CLPC)

5 Page 5 Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association (BMNA) Kenwood Isles Area Association (KIAA) Plan-It Hennepin Leadership Team / Hennepin Theatre Trust Local condo and apartment residents Local businesses Local churches Dunwoody Minneapolis Technical College Blake School Event planners Visitors School Groups Tourism: Meet Minneapolis, Explore Minnesota, bus companies Artists Walker Art Center: Rock the Garden, Avant Garden, Mini-Golf Elected Officials o Commissioner Anita Tabb o Council Member Lisa Goodman o County Commissioner Marion Greene o State Representative Frank Hornstein o State Senator D. Scott Dibble o Minneapolis School Board Director Josh Reimnitz PROJECT TEAMS Representing the MPRB Planning Division is Dana Murdoch, Project Manager LEADERSHIP TEAM MPRB Interim Assistant Superintendent of Planning Michael Schroeder MPRB Director of Planning Jennifer Ringold MPRB Director of Design and Project Management Cliff Swenson MPRB Planning Project Manager Dana Murdoch Walker Art Center Director Olga Viso Walker Art Center Deputy Director David Galligan Walker Art Center Design Director and Curator Andrew Blauvelt MWMO Executive Director Doug Snyder

6 Page 6 PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) Staff will convene a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) of MPRB and Walker Art Center staff. The PAC will meet regularly throughout the project. MPRB Walker Art Center Forestry Horticulture Maintenance Trades Events / Permitting Recreation / Parade Parking Community Outreach Park Police Program Services Visitor Services Visual Art Curators Registration Education/Community Programs Events production Security Maintenance TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) Staff will convene a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of technical representatives typically outside of the MPRB. The TAC will meet occasionally throughout the project. Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Minneapolis Public Works (incl. Hennepin/Lyndale Reconstruction) Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) Minneapolis Arts Commission Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities (MACOPD) Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) Hennepin County Community Works Metro Transit OUTREACH AND RESEARCH METHODS 1. Appointed Community Advisory Committee This committee will: Assist with collection of information from the community and sculpture garden and conservatory users, Assist with notifying interested groups and individuals about the project and helping them understand how to get involved, Assist MPRB staff in inviting members of the public to the CAC/community meetings and soliciting public input during the meetings, Develop recommendations for the building and site improvements, based on outcomes of the community outreach.

7 Page 7 Attend the CAC/community meetings Attend assigned portions of the design charrette. Provide occasional guidance upon request throughout design process. 2. Community Meetings Community members are invited to all public meetings held throughout the schematic and design development phases of the project: CAC/Community Meeting #1: The design team and MPRB staff will present the project; collected public and visitor comments; MPRB staff and technical information; and site and building evaluation information. The design team will outline the plan for the design charrette. Design Charrette: The design team will lead a 2-day design charrette combining the information collected, the project program, and continued public and technical input. The charrette will be held in a public environment for visitors to interact and comment. The goal of the charrette is to prepare ideas and options for the CAC to review and provide direction to the design team to move forward. CAC/Community Meeting #2: The design team will propose a final conceptual design plan to the CAC and community. Staff will seek recommendation to approve the concept and move ahead with construction plans. 3. Public Hearings Concept Plan anticipated for February Online survey posted on project website and directed to users: Neighborhood organizations Walker membership Arts organization memberships Tourist buses School groups Minneapolis Public Schools MPRB event planning Internal Walker programming / mini-golf / tour guides Meet Minneapolis Explore Minnesota Tourism Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce AIA MN / ASLAMN Visitors/Bicyclists on-site Community of People with Disabilities

8 5. Miscellaneous Communications: Project page on MPRB website providing information and updates Govdelivery notifications of meetings and milestones Outreach to neighborhood groups to share announcements Community Engagement Plan Page 8 Postcard mailing & local newspaper: (1) invitation to the community meetings, open houses, and planning process, and (2) to announce the public hearing News releases Public hearing notice published in the Star Tribune Comment cards, surveys collected at Community Meetings PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE CAC members are asked to commit to the entire schematic design phase of the project (through concept approval by the MPRB Board of Commissioners anticipated for February 2015). After the project enters the construction document phase, the project team will continue to keep CAC members updated if they choose to remain involved. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PHASE Community Engagement Plan (CEP) / Community Advisory Committee (CAC) development and implementation Meet with neighborhood organizations for CEP input: weeks of October 6 and 13, 2014 MPRB Board Planning Committee approval of CAC Charge and Composition: October 22, 2014 CEP Review (full board study item): October 22, 2014 MPRB Board Meeting: Action to Approve CAC Charge and Composition November 5, 2014 CAC press release, post CAC application, govdelivery announcement: November 7, 2014 CAC applications due: November 21, 2014 CAC appointments due: November 26, 2014 Conceptual Design and Community Engagement Project Team Kickoff: October 7, 2014 CAC Meeting # 1 December 2014 Design Charrette December 2014 CAC Meeting #2: January 20, 2015 MPRB Board Meeting (Planning): Public Hearing for Conceptual Design February 4, 2015 MPRB Board Meeting (Full Board): Action to Approve Conceptual Design February 18, 2015

9 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTION PHASES Community Engagement Plan Page 9 Design Development/Construction Documents/Bidding/Construction Design Development / Construction Documents begin February 2015 Issue Final Documents for public bid May 2015 Board Meeting (Admin and Finance): Action to Award Construction Bid June 2015 Construction Begins July 2015 Substantial Completion Fall 2016 RESOURCES A portion of the funding dedicated to staff time and consultant fees will be utilized for public engagement. In addition, the project budget includes costs of mailings and other notifications. MPRB GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The project supports the following elements of the MPRB Comprehensive Plan THEME: Goal: THEME: Goal: DYNAMIC PARKS THAT SHAPE CITY CHARACTER Park facility renewal and development respects history and focuses on sustainability, accessibility, flexibility, and beauty. Integrate sustainable practices, ecological design fir landscapes, and green building techniques into new construction and renewal of all amenities. Build or renew facilities to meet or exceed standards for accessibility. Build quality of facilities that can be adapted to new uses as community needs change. Beautify the park system by integrating gardens and art into park designs. A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY, RECREATE, CONTEMPLATE, AND CELEBRATE Parks are safe and welcoming by design. Design parks to meet or exceed safety standards, building codes, and Crime prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. EVALUATION SUMMARY Following project completion, the project manager will analyze the effectiveness of the engagement process from both stakeholder and organization points of view and will provide a brief summary statement. The summary statement will indicate how the process advances policy goals, and will assist the Board and staff in evaluating and informing an ongoing community engagement process. Summary Statement: Statement pending plan completion.