HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-16 NAC Memorandum Re Proposal For Design Concepts I
NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS
INC COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Tom Melena
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: March 16, 2000
RE: Oak Park Heights - Proposal for Design Concepts
FILE NO: 802
BACKGROUND AND ISSUES
As per your request, I have assembled a proposal to provide the City with conceptual
design plans to improve the appearance and functioning of the St. Croix Mall area. With
the potential for additional investment in the Mall structure and parking areas, the City
would like to insure that any of the issues that are important to the City are incorporated
into an overall conceptual plan. The conceptual plan should take into account the
following issues:
1. Potential for a change of use for portions of the Mall. The office use within the Mall
could be expanded by concentrating the retail on the east end of the structure near
Herbergers.
2. MnDOT's plans for a redesigned intersection at Osgood Avenue and Highway 36.
3. The City desires increased pedestrian access through the site and within the Mall
parking lots. An east -west trail corridor through the southerly Mall area has been
identified by the City. In addition, pedestrian access needs to be designed into the
parking lot layout to insure safety, provide connections to the City trail and park
system, to neighborhoods and other to commercial areas.
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4. The parking lot layout should be redesigned to create a more functional plan that
also increases the amount of landscaping and pedestrian access. The change of
use to office in portions of the Mall would also reduce the parking demand based
upon parking requirements for office versus shopping centers.
5. Lighting and signage should be reviewed to address conformance with the
Ordinance and previous PUD approvals. Identification of the mail through better
signage has been a long term issue.
6. Recent renovations to the K Mart for Anderson Corp. have shown how the building
could be updated to reflect on updated design and conformity with the Design
Guidelines.
WORK PROGRAM
Based upon the issues identified above:
1. Analyze the potential options for reuse of the Mall. Review the impacts of a change
of use to include access, parking and signage.
2. Analyze the impact of MnDOT's plans for the Osgood Avenue /Highway 36
intersection to the St. Croix Mall area.
3. Develop at least two concepts for a revised parking layout. Provide generalized
landscape plans for each concept.
4. Develop plans for pedestrian and trail access through and within the site based
upon the parking layouts.
5. The lighting and signage should be analyzed for conformity and suggestions for
signage improvements would be provided.
6. Propose general improvements to the Mall structure to enhance the appearance of
the structure and compliance with Design Guidelines.
STAFFING
We propose that the three person design team be headed by Scott Richards, who would
be responsible for project coordination, meeting attendance and assistance in the
technical aspects of the project. Anne Deuring, who assisted with the Oak Park Heights
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Design Guidelines, is a registered landscape architect with extensive site design and
landscape experience. Cynthia Putz -Yang is a planner with a landscape design
background who was the primary staff person responsible for the Oak Park Heights 1999
Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan update.
PROCESS AND MEETINGS
The project would be completed in a two month timeline. We would propose an
organizational meeting with City staff members and Mall owners and at least one meeting
each with the Planning Commission, Parks Commission and City Council. At least one
additional meeting with City staff and owners to review and discuss project designs would
also be included.
BUDGET
We would propose this project be completed for a not to exceed fee of $4,800.00 to
include concept design generation and all staff meetings. Planning, Parks and City
Council meetings would be billed separately under the existing contract, recognizing that
NAC would likely be attending most of these meetings for other projects. The project
budget by staff distribution is as follows:
Senior Staff (Scott and Anne) 45 hrs. @ $80.00 = $3,600.00
Support Staff (Cynthia) 20 hrs. @ $50.00 = 1,000.00
$4,600.00
Secretarial and Expenses 200.00
TOTAL $4,800.00
pc: Kris Danielson
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