08-1264Council F`ile # ����
Green Sheet # 3061075
Presented by
RESOLUTION
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
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1 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, Division of Parks and Recrearion, operates and owns City park
2 properiy, known as the Downtown Children's Totlot, on the comer of 4` Street and Sibley in downtown
3 Saint Paul; and
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5 WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has been studying ROW alignment options for the Central Corridar
6 Light Rail Transit line on 4` Street and determined that ROW is required at the above noted locarion that
7 will reduce the size of the totlot; and
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9 WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council Central Corridor Project Office staff have stated that it would be
10 desirable to have documentation from the Parks and Recreation Commission to be on recard stating that
11 the use of the resource will not result in an adverse impact and will allow the pazk to continue to serve its
12 role as a play space, understanding the need for the Metropolitan Council to provide resources to
13 reconfigure portions of the play area; and
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WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation staff believe that there will be an adeerse impact on the totlot due to its
reduced size but based on cunent preliminary proposals, it appears that all park features can be relocated in
the smaller space and that the integrity of the space as a totlot is still intact; and
WHEREAS, three options were studied for consideration which will all require diversion of park property
and a11 result in an adverse impact to the totlot; and
WHEREAS, Opfion A— provides an 8' sidewalk and provides less of an impact on the totlot, allowing a
specimen tree, public art piece and ali play elements to be included in the redeveloped space but creates a
public streetscape sidewalk width its reduced by 2' from the preferred standard. The existing puk area is
6916 SF (0.16 acres). With an 8' sidewalk, the park area is reduced to 5,806 SF (0.13 acres) or a reduction
of 1110 SF (16% reduction in space), and;
WHEREAS, Option B(attached) provides a 10' sidewalk and requires a reducrion of 1,303 SF of parkland
(a 19% space reduction). A 10' sidewalk is the desired walk width in the downtown area. This width
allows enough space for sfreetscape elements to be included and provides the desired standard width
walking surface for pedeshians. Some play elements, art sculpture and existing specimen pine tree may not
fit in this new plan. With a 10' sidewalk, the pazk area is reduced to 5613 SF (013 acres) or a reduction of
1303 SF (19°/o reduction in space), and;
WI3EREAS, Option C(attached) provides an 8' tapering to 10' walk and is a good compromise. This
alternative allows for all play elements to be included in the reduced space, saves the specimen pine tree
and art piece and also widens the street ROW nearest the intersection to the desired 10' width. The
existing park area is 6916 SF (0.16 acres). With an 8' sidewalk tapering to a 10' sidewalk at the
intersection, the park area is reduced to 5776 SF (013 acres) or a reduction of 1,140 SF (17% reduction in
space).
d31d6�(
42 WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has coordinated with the Division of Parks and Recreation and has
43 committed o minimi�ation, mitigarion, and enhancement measures that will preserve the features,
44 amibutes, and activiries that qualify this property for protection under Section 4(� of the Department of
45 Transportation Act of 196b; and
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47 WHEREAS, the Division of Parks and Recreation has determined that the pazk property may be diverted
48 for this pmpose, and recommends Commission support for Opfion C. If, upon fiuther study it is
49 determined that Option B can be constructed to allow for all of the play elements, pine trees, and public art
50 sculpture to be included in the reduced space then Option B is preferred over Option C.
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52 WHREAS, any Parkland Diversion fees collected shall be directed towards the purchase of the land from
53 F3RA or improvements to the totlot; and
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul €arks City Council concurs with the request of diversion of City
park land from the Downtown Children's Toflot at 4 Street and Sibley, and in accordance with City
Charter Section 13.01.1 recommends approval of Option C by the Saint Paul City Council unless, upon
further study, it is determined that Opfion B can be constructed to a11ow far all of the play elements
(wladequate safety zones), pine trees, and public art sculpture to be included in the reduced space then
Option B is preferred over Option C.
BE IT FURTAER RESOLVED, that the City Council request from the Metropolitan Council the following
actions (including funding) to mitigate the adverse impact on the Children's Downtown Totlot:
• Appropriate relocation and or replacement of all affected park elements, including play features,
landscaping, surfacing, and fencing.
• Safe, visible and convenient park access that meets ADA accessibility standards.
• Adequate safety protection of children through use of ADA gates and additional fencing along curb
if deemed necessary.
Adoption Certified by CouncIl Secretary
By: �
Appxove a r: Date 1 t Z'� t(� �
By:
Requested by Department of:
Pazks and Recreation
By: ���?�� ✓
Approved by the Office of F' ncial S ces
By:
Approved by City Atto
By: d.,,,
Approved by yor for Subm � , is / sion to Council
BY� 7%--> ts.� � i�--�-- � l/ - I/� � dD�g"
AdoptedbyCouncil: Date ��l6G�j/�
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� Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet �
QG�I �a`'�
lepartmenUOffice/Couneil: Date Mitiat¢d:
PR_ParksandRecreation �_OCT-08 Green Sheet NO: 3061075
ContaM Person 8 Phone:
Jodv Martinez
266-6424
Must Be on Council Agenda by {Dafe):
p j� RESOLUTfON W/$
SRANSACTION
E-DxumeM Required: Y
Documetrt CoMact: Cindy Morrison
Contact Phone: 2665398
0�arks and Recreatioa 4I I �
1 arks and Recreation De eut D'uectax Gl�� �"' �
2 _ inancial Services ffice FSnancial Services
�
Assign
Number
For
Routi`y
Ortler
Tota{ If of Signature Pages _(Clip All Locatio� for Signature)
Actio� Requested:
Approve Council Resolution requesting the diversion of City pazkland from the Downtown Ctuldren's Todot on 4th Street and
Sibley.
Recommendations: Approve (A) or Rejecf (R):
Planning Commission
CIB Committee
Civil Service Commission
Personal Servite Contrects Must Answer the Following Questions:
1. Has this person�rm ever worked under a contract fnr this department?
Yes No
2. Has this perso�rrn ever been a city empbyee?
Yes No
3. Does this person/firm possess a skill not nortnally possessed by any
currerrt city employee?
Yes No
Explain all yes answer5 on separate sheet antl attach to gree� sheet
Initiating Problem, lssues, OppoAUnity (1Alho, What, When, Where, Why):
The :Metropolitan Council has been studying the right of way (ROW) alignment options for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit
lines on 4th Street and determined that ROW is requsred at the comer of 41h Street and Sibley in downtown Saint Paul (the location of
the Downtovan Children's Totlot). The Cotlot will be reduced in size but it appeazs that all pazk features oan be relocated 'm the smaller
space and the integrity of the space as a totlot will remain intact.
Advantages If Approved:
The Cenhal Cotridor Light Rail Transit line on 4th Sheet will be completeed as planned.
Disadvantages IfApproved:
None
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��`�"��°�����'
Disadvantages If Not Approved:
The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line on 4th Street will need to change the plans for completion which will have vexy negative
impacts on traffice and buildang access on 4th Street
Total Amount of
Transacfion:
Funding Source:
CostlRevenue Budgeted:
Activity Number:
Pinanciat Information: p�kland Diversion fees wllected shall be directed towazds the purchase agreement with HRA or
(Explain) improvements to the totlot
October 23, 2�o8 8:57 AM Page 1
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CapitolRiver
Council
October7,2005
Carrie Wasley, Chair
Saint Paul Parlcs and Recreation Commission
50 West Kellogg Blvd., Suite 840
Saint Paui, MN 55102
Dear Cammission Chair Wasley:
On behalf of the CapitolRiver Gouncil - Oistrict 17, ! would like to express our conditional support
for Metropolitan Councif's proposal [o reduce the size of the Children's Play Space by 1,140 square
feet and make necessary improvements to the park in order to accommodate the Ilnion Depot LRT
station. We lend our support on iwo conditions; 1} mitigatian payment and payment to cover loss of
parkland 6e solely rei�vested into the Childreds Play Space, and 2) we receive the full support and
cooperalion ot ihe Metropolitan Counc[I to remedy all safety and accessi6il+ry issues that are the resuR of
the size reduction of the Chiidren's Play Space and Ihe presence of light rail transit witfiin clpse proximity
to the playground.
As you know, CapitolRiver Councii (CRC) has long been an advocate for the Children's Play Space and
for al! downtown parks. CRC recognized the needs of a changing downfown demogrephic as it worked to
update the downtown podion of the city's master pian in 199D. CRC promoted the idea of a padc in
downtawn that would serve as a play space for dawntown schooichildren and for the children and
grandchildren of downtown residents, and raised money from several public and private sources in order
to meke the park a reality in 1995. When developers considered the playground as a possible site for a
condo development in 2000, CRC worked to find a suita6le place to reiocate the park. The move tumed
out to be unnecessary after the condo project was shelved. CRC then advocated for the ownership of the
parkland to 6e transferred to Saint Paul's Parks Department. Ward 2 Counciiperson Dave Thune noted,
"7his play space is an example of what a district councif can da to improve their neighborhood."
Given CRCs long history of advocating for the deveiopment and protecHon of fhe Chi(dren's Play Space
and for downtown parks, the Commission can understand how difficult it was for ihe organization's public
tealm cammittee to consider a nearly 20 percent reduction in the size of ifte hard-fought
parkland. However, after a presentation 6y the Central Corridor Project Office and a discussion about the
stati�n and park, the committee came to the conclusion that Op6on C was the best of alI possibilities tfiat
had been considered up to this point. CRC's pubiic realm committee was also encouraged to hear that
the miGgation paymenf and the cost of making changes to the park required as a resuit ot Opfion C could
be reinvested directly into the Children's Play Space and that the CCPO staff was enthusiastic about
working to make design changes to the park that woutd address safety and accessibifity issues resulting
ftom the changes to the paricland and the playground's prowmity to the LRT line.
CapitolRi�er Council looks forward to working closefy with the CCPO to address these safety and
accessibility issues, and looks fonrrard to seeing funds reinvested into the Children's Pfay Space for the
benefit of children and famiiies who live, visit, and go to schao! in downtown Saint Paul.
Sincere(y,
Caitlin Skinner Mariotte
Co-Chair, Environment, Public Realm and Movement Committee
CapitolRiver Council