Community Engagement Committee Meeting #1 December 10, 2014 6:30pm-8:30pm
Welcome and Introductions Dana Murdoch Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Project Manager Ryan French Walker Art Center Director of Marketing and Public Relations Margaret Anderson Kelliher CAC Committee Chair
Charge of the CAC Become knowledgeable about the project and its scope Understand and represent the needs of garden visitors Act as a community liaisons for the project Participate in public CAC meetings Advise MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process Recommend to the Board of Commissioners a preferred plan
Today s Meeting Goals Provide project overview and desired outcomes Discuss process and input opportunities Provide Highlights of the Existing Conditions Assessment Report Review design parameters Review online survey results Allow small group discussions to discuss the Garden and Conservatory opportunities and constraints Report back results of small group discussions
Project Goals Welcome to the first CAC meeting for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction. At this meeting will be MPRB and Walker Art Center representatives and the design team lead by Oslund and Associates. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Reconstruction and Cowles Conservatory Renovation 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.
Project Goals 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. 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 storm water 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 Schedule
Design Parameters Garden and Conservatory Renovation Respectful of original design intent. Infrastructure Create a more viable and functional series of systems. Connectivity Respond to changing neighborhood influences to make the garden more accessible. Permeability Create both physical and visual connections into the garden. Sustainability Select materials and systems for the garden so that the garden can perform efficiently be maintained effectively.
Access and Circulation Complex network of sidewalks, trails and bikeways south and east Sidewalk, trail and bikeway gaps north and west Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge critical connection to Loring Park neighborhood I-94/I-394 barriers to local movement Van White Blvd connects to destinations in North Mpls. Cedar Lake Trail / SW LRT connection along Dunwoody Blvd improvements needed Cultural Corridor connections along Hennepin Avenue improvements needed Sidewalks, Trails and Bikeways Plan Access, Barriers, Sitelines and Viewshed Map
Roadway Improvements Hennepin Ave / Lyndale Ave Planned Roadway Improvements Hennepin Ave / Lyndale Ave / Vineland 2015 construction of roadway improvements Additional land along Lyndale Avenue to work with for streetscape and sidewalk improvements Lyndale Avenue looking South, adjacent to Sculpture Garden Reconfigured roadway intersections should create more pedestrian friendly intersections and crossings Hennepin Avenue and Lyndale Avenue Planned Hennepin / Lyndale / Vineland Improvements (2015)
Land Use Context Land uses, amenities and destinations should inform Sculpture Garden access and circulation decisions Strong connections suggested along Cultural Corridor / Hennepin Ave Several destinations to the east, in the Loring Park neighborhood, and to the south, in the Uptown neighborhood Proposed Land Use map indicates future redevelopment activity to the north in Bassett Creek Valley and Dunwoody College. Redevelopment is planned for mixed-use and high density. Future SW LRT station at Van White Blvd. will deliver transit users within a 10-minute walking distance of the Sculpture Garden. Destinations and Amenities Plan Proposed Land Use Plan
Analysis Diagram Strengthen the physical connection from the Walker Art Center to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across Vineland Place Consider new Sculpture Garden entrances from the north and northeast (off Dunwoody Boulevard and Lyndale Avenue). Strengthen the connection to the Hennepin Avenue Cultural Corridor across I-94 Strengthen the visitor arrival experience from the west parking lot Provide filtered and framed views into and out of the Sculpture Garden. This will require a more sensitive treatment on the perimeter of the park Reorganize bus arrival, dropoff and parking
Historical Perspective 1904
Historical Perspective 1988
Historical Perspective 1992
Historical Perspective 2014
Soils and Storm Water Soil issues Grading and settlement issues Drainage problems Water quality issues with pond
Vegetation and Hardscape Worn and non ADA compliant paving Rock path degradation Vegetation in decline Worn and shaded out lawn areas
Infrastructure Inadequate and outdated Lighting system Old and problematic irrigation system(s) Power supply and safety concerns Degrading parking lot Lack of storm water storage system
Cowles Conservatory Overview-Size and Function
Cowles Conservatory Overview-Size and Function
Cowles Conservatory Recommended Improvements
Cowles Conservatory Recommended Improvements
Cowles Conservatory Recommended Improvements
Greenhouse Overview-Size and Function Recommended Improvements
Online Survey Results
Online Survey Results
Online Survey Results
Online Survey Results
Online Survey Results
Next Steps Design Charrette (Design Team) Thursday, December 11, 2014 Friday, December 12, 2014 Public Open House & CAC #2 (Public and CAC Members) Friday, December 12, 2014 (4:00 5:00 pm Open House; 5:00 7:00 pm CAC #2) Where: Meeting Focus: Walker Art Center Review and comment on initial concepts and identify preferred elements / themes for further development. CAC #3 (Public and CAC Members) Tuesday, January 20, 2014 (6:30 8:30 pm) Where: Walker Art Center Meeting Focus: Review preferred schematic design