On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order - Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 2

   Presentation by Spring Engineering, Inc. RE: Fire Station No. 2

   discussed

   Spring Engineering presented preliminary design plans for a new Fire Station No. 2 to be built at the northeast corner of Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard, replacing the existing station at 6121 High Street. The proposed 7,826-square-foot, two-bay drive-through station has a $2.4 million construction budget to be financed through non-ad valorem revenue bonds repaid with Penny for Pasco funds, on city-owned property. Council received the presentation favorably and gave informal buy-in to proceed with construction documents.

   • consensus:Council expressed informal support for the preliminary Fire Station 2 design and directed staff/Spring Engineering to proceed with construction documents. (none)

   📍6121 High Street📍Northeast corner of Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard🏢National Fire Protection Association🏢Spring Engineering, Inc.👤Adam Darling👤Chief Fitch👤Councilman Altman👤Debbie Manns👤Derek Wray👤Rick Speckish👤Wesley Osborne#Fire Station No. 2#Florida cancer presumptive law (July 1, 2019)#Non-ad valorem revenue bonds#Penny for Pasco funds

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   [00:00:18] by Spring Engineering on Fire Station 2. [00:00:21] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. [00:00:24] As you know, for some time now, we have been considering the establishment of a new building [00:00:31] to house Fire Station 2, which is currently located at 6121 High Street. [00:00:39] In that respect, some studies were conducted to determine where, what location would be [00:00:48] most appropriate in terms of response times to service the community. [00:00:55] And at the conclusion of the study, it was determined that the area of the northeast [00:01:03] corner of Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard would be well-suited to service the city. [00:01:15] In relationship to the project, Spring Engineering was brought on board earlier this year, and [00:01:23] we have in attendance this evening Mr. Rick Speckish, Derek Wray, and Wesley Osborne, [00:01:32] and Derek will actually lead off the presentation. [00:01:39] One of the first tasks for them was to conduct a space needs assessment. [00:01:46] The determination at the conclusion of that work was that we needed to construct a 7,826-square-foot [00:01:55] building with two drive-through bays. [00:01:59] We have done some programming since that time. [00:02:03] We have established a project budget in the amount of $2.4 million. [00:02:08] We have identified a funding source to finance the improvement, and we are proposing the [00:02:16] issuance of non-ad valorem revenue bonds, which you'll consider at your regular meeting [00:02:23] later this evening, and then again at the CRA meeting at the conclusion of your regular [00:02:27] meeting. [00:02:29] And those revenue bonds will be paid back through use of penny-for-PASCO funds. [00:02:35] It would be short-sighted of me not to mention the fact that Mr. Rick Speckish grew up in [00:02:44] New Port Richey, and much of what I think you'll consider to be thoughtful design decisions [00:02:51] emanate from his affinity for the community without question. [00:02:56] Now that we've done work on the building layout, a potential site plan and elevations, we wanted [00:03:02] to show you where we are in the preliminary phase of the project so that we can go forward [00:03:12] with the preparation of construction documents and get moving on the implementation of the [00:03:21] much-needed project. [00:03:23] And with that being said, Chief, you have a few comments to share, I'm sure. [00:03:31] I do. [00:03:32] Thank you to the ranks that are here this evening. [00:03:34] Yeah, thank you for the C-Shift for showing up and supporting the project tonight. [00:03:40] I want to thank Mayor and Council for hosting the work session. [00:03:45] We're excited tonight to have Spring Engineering here to show you the final design concept [00:03:53] that has been approved by City staff. [00:03:56] And I just want to briefly go over some of the highlighted design features in the spacing [00:04:02] that we designed that we currently do not have at Fire Station 2. [00:04:10] So in fire station design and current standards, there's a large emphasis placed on health [00:04:15] and safety. [00:04:16] As we know, cancer now is a leading cause of death in the fire of firefighters. [00:04:23] And we also know that in July 1st of 2019, a cancer presumptive law was passed in Florida. [00:04:30] So we placed, we spent a lot of time and we placed a large emphasis on the health and [00:04:35] safety of the firefighters that will be working in that building. [00:04:40] So some of the design features that I wanted to highlight are this, and you'll see more [00:04:45] of this when Spring Engineering shows you the project. [00:04:50] The interior spaces are designed with what they call a hot zone, warm zone, cool zone [00:04:56] design feature. [00:04:57] And basically that's the process, the thought process is to keep the, in the hot zone would [00:05:06] be the apparatus bay. [00:05:07] So as firefighters return from a fire or an incident that they could have an exposure [00:05:14] or carcinogens on their gear or on their skin or on their uniform, we have placed a [00:05:20] decontamination shower, laundry facility in the apparatus bay. [00:05:26] So that area in the bay, on the two apparatus bays will be the hot zone. [00:05:31] So the warm zone will be the transition spaces that go from the hot zone to the cool zone. [00:05:40] And so in theory, we want to keep all of the cancer, carcinogen, diesel particulates, [00:05:47] anything in the hot zone and keep all of those particulates from entering the cool zone, [00:05:53] which will be the living quarters. [00:05:57] To another feature that we have in both apparatus bays are drive-through, and they're 14 feet [00:06:03] wide apparatus doors, which will give the trucks extra space as they exit the doors [00:06:09] and then enter. [00:06:11] The drive-through bays are a nice feature to avoid having to back the trucks into the [00:06:18] bay, stop traffic, and most of accidents that occur in fire apparatus are backing accidents. [00:06:25] The bays will be 65 feet long, which will enable us to double stack engine companies [00:06:31] or plan for the future if we ever had a rescue there or an ambulance, the district chief, [00:06:37] any other vehicle, we could double stack those vehicles, run one vehicle out of the [00:06:41] back side and then one out of the front. [00:06:44] There will be a diesel exhaust removal system. [00:06:48] As I explained, diesel exhaust particulates have been known to cause cancer, so we want [00:06:53] to remove those diesel exhaust particulates out of the building and then regenerate the [00:06:58] air in the apparatus bays with fresh air. [00:07:02] There will be a bunker gear storage room, which we currently don't have, and that's [00:07:08] an industry standard and an NFPA standard, National Fire Protection Association, shows [00:07:14] that diesel exhaust will penetrate into the outer layer of the bunker gear. [00:07:20] Bunker gear is the PPE that the firefighters wear into a fire, so if you store that bunker [00:07:26] gear in the apparatus bays, it's possible that the diesel exhaust can penetrate into [00:07:31] that gear, and then obviously, after an incident, some of the carcinogens from a fire will [00:07:36] penetrate into that gear, so we have a bunker gear storage room that's ventilated and also [00:07:43] has low UV lighting, and UV lighting is also shown to degradate bunker gear. [00:07:54] Adjoining that bunker gear storage room will be a bunker gear washing station room with [00:08:01] an extractor, so as firefighters return from a fire, they can wash their gear, and then [00:08:07] they can hang it to dry in the bunker gear storage room, and then three days later or [00:08:12] two days later when they return for their next shift, the gear will be dry. [00:08:17] There's a decontamination laundry shower room that we have in the hot zone that will be [00:08:23] used for firefighters to decontaminate in the form of a shower, laundry facility for [00:08:31] their uniforms, anything that they need to do to get the carcinogens off their body before [00:08:38] they enter the cool zone. [00:08:41] There will be a self-contained breathing apparatus compressor room with repair area that we currently [00:08:47] don't have that will be a designated space for our SCBA technician to do repairs on our [00:08:53] self-contained breathing apparatus in the station. [00:08:58] We will have an exercise room that we currently don't have at Fire Station 2. [00:09:01] It's imperative that our firefighters stay in shape. [00:09:03] They work out, so during their off time in the evening or during some downtime, our firefighters [00:09:10] normally work out about an hour a day. [00:09:13] There will be individual bunk rooms that we currently don't have really at either station. [00:09:21] In each individual bunk room, there will be three lockers, one for each shift, and then [00:09:26] a small workstation that they can sit and do reports or assignments. [00:09:34] One of the neat features that this station will offer, and they'll talk more about it, [00:09:38] is the station office in the front of the building, also called maybe a watch room or [00:09:43] a computer reporting room. [00:09:45] The station office will have a three-view capability. [00:09:49] They'll be able to see to the outside front of the building, to the apparatus bay. [00:09:54] They will also be able to see inside to the apparatus bay, and they will also be able [00:10:01] to see inside the lobby. [00:10:05] There will be improved station alerting and light features, and also a screened-in porch [00:10:09] in an outdoor area that will adjoin the kitchen that firefighters can eat outside or cook [00:10:18] outside during nice weather days. [00:10:24] In addition to those new areas, we're also going to continue to provide, Station 2 currently [00:10:30] has a training room, we're going to continue to have a training room at that facility, [00:10:34] so our firefighters can do in-house training, and then a medical supply storage room that's [00:10:39] climate controlled. [00:10:41] And that completes my report. [00:10:43] If anybody has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. [00:10:47] And we would ask Mr. Derek Ray to come forward and present the PowerPoint to the Council. [00:10:57] All right, thank you for having us here today. [00:11:08] We have two of our members of the team, you mentioned Rich back there, and Leslie Osborne, [00:11:13] who helped in this design process, and I'd also like a special thanks to Chief Fitch [00:11:18] as well as Adam Darling and Debbie Mons. [00:11:22] We've been back and forth, there's been a lot of dialogue, a couple meetings, a lot [00:11:25] of emails and things to help kind of fine-tune this process, and you can tell Chief Fitch [00:11:30] is quite knowledgeable about the project. [00:11:34] So I'm going to start in here. [00:11:43] The first slide here, this is an aerial in the upper right, which you can see on either [00:11:48] screen. [00:11:49] So as Debbie had mentioned, the site here is in that little red shaded area, northeast [00:11:56] corner of the Grand Boulevard and Marine Parkway. [00:12:01] So this image here is a large site, a large site plan here that you're going to be able [00:12:05] to see where we positioned the building, is to the north half of the site. [00:12:11] The site is 1.1 acre, the building footprint is just under 8,000 square feet. [00:12:18] Putting it to the north here, there's a lot of advantages. [00:12:21] One in particular is the site has a natural bluff, about three to four feet raised from [00:12:27] the adjacent sidewalks out here, so it really lends itself to kind of a civic presence, [00:12:34] which was a real advantage, as well as taking advantage of the natural grading, which drops [00:12:38] down to this area, we can locate our necessary stormwater retention and what have you. [00:12:44] Another key objective, as was already mentioned, was the apparatus access in the north-south [00:12:49] direction, you can see here. [00:12:51] At this point, the vehicle can leave south in a Marine Parkway and can control the traffic [00:13:00] light here remotely, as needed, and vehicles can return at the north, or they could exit [00:13:05] at the north as well, depending on the need. [00:13:11] Before I move into the building itself, the footprint, one of the things, in addition [00:13:15] to the programmatic criteria that we spoke of, and a lot of the technological features, [00:13:20] is also creating an architecture that is expressive of concept. [00:13:26] In this particular case, it's the overall well-being of the occupants who are going [00:13:31] to reside here, and one of those is natural light. [00:13:35] What drove that was what we call the clear story in this scheme. [00:13:40] Basically that's upper windows, to allow natural light into the space, it helps improve [00:13:45] overall well-being, mood, energy levels, vitamin D, circadian sleep cycles, which is also very [00:13:52] important, we know, to the occupants. [00:13:55] As we move into the floor plan, this small diagram here is the contamination that Chief [00:14:04] Fitch had mentioned. [00:14:05] It's a little small, I apologize, and there will be boards up here too that you can peruse [00:14:09] at your leisure, and we're going to leave those for you folks. [00:14:13] Moving into the enlarged plan here, the entry is right at that location, a lobby. [00:14:19] Right beside it is the station office that was mentioned, with views into the lobby, [00:14:25] into the apparatus bay, and out to the front. [00:14:29] Again at this front entry, this is south that would face Marine Parkway. [00:14:33] There's a training area, some support spaces here, as we move to the back corridor. [00:14:39] This corridor here supports access to the bunks, there's five bunks and then a sixth [00:14:45] one for the captain. [00:14:46] It was very important that the orientation of these bunks was north, this is north facing, [00:14:52] and the reason for that in this case was to almost eliminate the natural light. [00:14:57] We're going to minimize solar heat gain. [00:15:00] We're gonna minimize harsh light. [00:15:02] We know that the sleep in there is very important. [00:15:04] The other thing, one of the challenges we had [00:15:06] is out here on Grand Boulevard, as well as [00:15:10] Marine Parkway, was a psychological, visual, [00:15:12] acoustical barrier to the city itself. [00:15:16] So again, having that to the north orientation [00:15:19] really worked out well. [00:15:20] Across the hall would be the living, [00:15:23] dining, kitchen area in there, [00:15:25] as well as the exercise room here. [00:15:28] Full height glass, as much as we can get, [00:15:30] again, with the natural light. [00:15:31] There's clear story windows in here. [00:15:33] You'll see more of this a little bit [00:15:34] here in the elevations and sections. [00:15:37] The apparatus space, here's the two there [00:15:39] that we described, support spaces flanking either side. [00:15:43] So what you have here, that's the decon shower [00:15:45] in that area there. [00:15:47] Right there's the bunker storage, [00:15:50] and where we have the [00:15:54] compressor room and support spaces like that, [00:15:55] again, flanking either side. [00:15:58] So moving to the exterior elevations, [00:16:01] and these are a little distorted. [00:16:03] I apologize here. [00:16:05] So we'll start with, this is the south elevation, [00:16:07] which you would see from Marine Parkway. [00:16:10] So what we tried to do, looking for a cost-effective [00:16:14] solution to create an aesthetic. [00:16:17] So we're using a masonry block, a cinder block, [00:16:20] you might call it cinder or concrete block. [00:16:22] It's color integrated, so it gives us the ability [00:16:25] to get a cost-effective aesthetic, [00:16:27] and we can use different colors, [00:16:28] and it's hard to see here a little bit, [00:16:30] but at about six foot, we can change. [00:16:31] We have a two-tone going on through that zone. [00:16:34] As we move towards the middle of the building, [00:16:36] the entry, if you will, this is a fiber cement siding. [00:16:40] So a little higher-end material. [00:16:42] We want to really emphasize the entry for wayfinding. [00:16:46] You can see the expression of the sloped roofs. [00:16:48] This is allowing the natural daylight into these spaces. [00:16:53] The entry element, this is a metal clad element. [00:16:58] Again, to signify entry, and there's a slight nod, [00:17:01] there's a little hole in the roof, if you will, [00:17:03] with the flag going through as a slight nod [00:17:05] to the iconic fire pole. [00:17:08] Just a slight little gesture towards that. [00:17:11] Moving to this massing here, the larger massing [00:17:13] for the apparatus base, it's mostly clad [00:17:15] in a score stucco, again, cost-saving measures, [00:17:19] but we wanted to keep the brick base. [00:17:22] And you'll notice there's a warm gray palette [00:17:25] that we kept throughout, and that's really to, [00:17:28] we're gonna highlight certain areas in color [00:17:30] as we move through, one of which being the logo right there. [00:17:33] As we move around to the east elevation, [00:17:35] this is effectively the rear, [00:17:36] or what would be opposite of Grand Boulevard. [00:17:41] So we've minimized some of the finish treatment here, [00:17:44] again, as a cost-saving measure. [00:17:47] In the roof form, we've popped up [00:17:48] another clear story opportunity, [00:17:50] which is that, that you see right there. [00:17:52] Again, to be able to flood that space with natural light. [00:17:55] As we move around, I wanna go to this one. [00:17:57] This is the north facade. [00:17:58] Again, emphasizing the bunks. [00:18:01] So here, you can see the windows right there. [00:18:03] We're using that same colored CMU. [00:18:06] This is standing seam metal. [00:18:08] As we move to the larger mass, [00:18:10] we're gonna go to the stucco, [00:18:11] scored stucco with the brick base. [00:18:14] And finally, moving to the west elevation, [00:18:16] which would face Grand Boulevard. [00:18:19] So there's a real opportunity to create [00:18:20] a feature wall here, if you will. [00:18:22] So this is effectively the end of that bay of bunks. [00:18:28] So it's showing there's a brick cladding, [00:18:30] the nice brick cladding. [00:18:31] And I don't think you can probably see, [00:18:33] but there is a contemporary twist, [00:18:36] if you will, on the Maltese Cross, [00:18:38] with a circular opening in it. [00:18:41] And what we've done, and you'll see [00:18:42] in some of the 3D shots, [00:18:43] there's actually a backdrop of a wall. [00:18:45] So this space behind is lit in a colored light. [00:18:50] So you're gonna see the light through. [00:18:51] So it gives the opportunity, again, [00:18:52] to pick up the red, the iconic red in a fire station. [00:18:56] We're gonna pick the red here and the red there. [00:18:58] And then this colored light can be changed [00:19:00] throughout the year, corresponding [00:19:03] to certain seasonal events and what have you. [00:19:06] And then we'll move to, these are building sections. [00:19:10] They're getting a little more technical. [00:19:12] But the reason for these, and again, [00:19:13] there'll be some hard copies here that you can look at, [00:19:16] is to show the opportunity for clear story lighting, [00:19:19] even in the corridor that serves the bunks. [00:19:22] There's clear story lighting there for the bays. [00:19:25] You can see, there's a clear story opportunity here [00:19:27] and here, east and west, to serve the bays. [00:19:31] This here is the clear story lighting [00:19:33] within the corridor, again, that serves the bunks. [00:19:37] And this bottom image is kind of a reverse image [00:19:39] of the same apparatus phase with the clear story lighting. [00:19:42] You can see some of it beyond there. [00:19:44] This is the exercise room, [00:19:47] and there's a clear story windows there. [00:19:50] So moving, these are 3D shots. [00:19:53] Get a little more realism. [00:19:54] Hopefully kind of puts it all together, [00:19:56] rather than looking at 3D elevations. [00:19:58] So you're looking at your north elevation here. [00:20:02] And again, no northern light, no direct light. [00:20:05] This is our feature wall right there. [00:20:07] So as we move around, we're now on Grand Boulevard, [00:20:11] looking on the west elevation. [00:20:13] So there's that feature wall with the light. [00:20:15] Again, being able to change that color. [00:20:18] Taking this facade here, and again, [00:20:19] a slightly higher end material, this fiber cement siding, [00:20:23] as a backdrop for building signage, [00:20:26] for the civic presence to the city. [00:20:29] And you'll see beyond, that's that entry element. [00:20:33] Again, as a wayfinding device for entering to the building. [00:20:38] And the last image here, this is what you would approach [00:20:40] from Marine Parkway, is kind of a second front, if you will. [00:20:44] A 3D shot, the expressive forms of the slope roofs, [00:20:48] allowing the daylight in. [00:20:49] Even into this entry element here, [00:20:51] and there's one on that face. [00:20:53] This here is the screened-in porch [00:20:55] that Chief Fitch had mentioned earlier. [00:20:58] So it's a screened porch, [00:20:58] and there's a little outdoor area there. [00:21:02] And then, I think we're gonna move, [00:21:04] the last thing we have is, [00:21:05] we want to put together just a quick little animation. [00:21:07] Just kind of put it all together in kind of a 3D real time. [00:21:11] So hopefully, it makes sense. [00:21:14] So that'll be the Grand Boulevard in Marine Parkway. [00:21:26] You see our building siding. [00:21:41] And this is a 3D kind of eye level, if you will. [00:21:43] As we move around from the north, [00:21:44] we're on the north facade. [00:21:46] We'll roll around to the west and then the south. [00:21:49] And that is that drop back with the light. [00:21:54] So it's your street presence there off of Grand Boulevard. [00:22:03] And rolling around Marine Parkway, the south exposure. [00:22:11] And that's the conclusion, [00:22:12] and it would open it up to any questions, if you might have. [00:22:30] Questions, anyone? [00:22:32] One only thing that, [00:22:35] the only thing I noticed, [00:22:37] you said that the bays were set [00:22:38] so that folks could go in either direction. [00:22:41] I'm guessing that everyone's gonna come out to the south. [00:22:46] That's probably the priority. [00:22:47] Because you're not gonna know what call [00:22:48] to get to pre-switch yourself or whatever. [00:22:55] Yeah, I would assume that would be the priority as well. [00:22:58] It's adoptable, but that's the intended priority. [00:23:01] Councilman Altman, to answer your question, [00:23:03] yes, the trucks will exit to the south [00:23:05] out on Marine Parkway, [00:23:06] but we do have the option in the future [00:23:10] if we acquired transport, [00:23:12] if we needed a rescuer or a district chief, [00:23:14] we could have a unit slide out of the north. [00:23:18] Yeah, that makes sense. [00:23:22] You mean when we get the transport. [00:23:28] Thank you very much. [00:23:29] Mr. Mayor, before we close, [00:23:31] I should have indicated to you [00:23:35] that the property where we are proposing [00:23:37] to establish the station is already city-owned property. [00:23:41] So the cost of the $2.4 million [00:23:46] that I indicated would be the project budget, [00:23:48] would be devoted exclusively to construction. [00:23:52] We haven't landscaped yet fully the plans [00:23:56] that you saw before you. [00:23:57] They're just conceptual. [00:23:58] We want your buy-in before we take it [00:24:00] to the final project detail. [00:24:03] And I wanted to thank the men and women [00:24:07] of the staff in the fire department [00:24:10] for participating in the review of these plans, [00:24:14] and they advanced many helpful suggestions to us. [00:24:16] So thank you. [00:24:18] Yeah, given the existing station too, [00:24:20] this is a great step forward. [00:24:22] So, okay, thank you.

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

3. 3

   ↳You arrived here from a search for “Recreation Aquatic Center Improvement Project” — transcript expanded below

   Presentation by Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. RE: Railroad Square Design

   discussed

   Jason Jensen of Wannemacher Jensen Architects presented conceptual design options for refreshing Railroad Square as a 'convertible street' with underground utilities, planters, crosswalks, cafe-style string lighting, a shelter/lawn area, market stall layouts, food truck spots, and a mural. Council provided feedback praising the design while raising concerns about shade/heat, delivery vehicle access for businesses, golf cart parking, and asked staff to consider extending the concept south to Cavalier Square and west toward the river/Bank Street.

   • direction:Council gave direction to staff/architect to proceed with design elements including undergrounding overhead utilities, shade structures, hardscape and landscape features, and to consult business owners. (none)
   • direction:Council requested the design team explore extending the project south to Cavalier Square and west toward Bank Street/the river. (none)

   📍Adams📍Bank Street📍Cavalier Square📍Frontier building📍Grand Boulevard📍Nebraska Avenue📍Railroad Square🏢Boulevard Beef and Ale🏢Chasco Fiesta🏢Rose's Bistro🏢Wanna Taco🏢Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.🏢Wright's Market👤Councilman Allman👤Debbie👤Jason Jensen👤Mr. Davis#Capital Improvement Plan#Chasco Fiesta#Convertible Street concept#Railroad Square Design#Recreation Aquatic Center Improvement Project#Sims Park

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   [00:24:25] Thank you. [00:24:27] Next, we have a presentation [00:24:29] by Wanamaker Jensen on Railroad Square. [00:24:32] We do, we have Jason Jensen in attendance this evening [00:24:36] from Wanamaker Jensen in regard [00:24:39] to some conceptual design options for Railroad Square. [00:24:44] The purpose of the project in large part [00:24:48] is to improve both the pedestrian experience [00:24:55] and the confusion of some vehicular traffic [00:24:58] and parking that seems to be occurring in that space. [00:25:02] It just needs to be reclaimed [00:25:04] as coveted public space for use. [00:25:09] And we're talking about refreshing it, [00:25:11] and I won't talk too much, Jason. [00:25:13] It's okay. [00:25:14] You do a great job presenting it. [00:25:14] I'm sure, thank you. [00:25:16] I think most of you will recognize Jason. [00:25:19] He worked with us on the Sims Park project [00:25:21] as well as the Recreation Aquatic Center [00:25:25] Improvement Project. [00:25:27] And he has come up with some options [00:25:29] for us to consider as we move forward [00:25:34] with a project to improve that space. [00:25:41] Debbie, thank you for the introduction. [00:25:45] Definitely excited for your downtown [00:25:47] to review this project, [00:25:49] and commend you all for looking [00:25:51] into a progressive way of thinking [00:25:53] about the pedestrians, thinking about your downtown [00:25:55] and the growth, and continuing to build [00:25:58] on the growth that we see from Sims Park [00:26:00] and building out from that. [00:26:04] The railroad square is indicative [00:26:08] of what we call a convertible street. [00:26:13] So it's already taking steps with that, [00:26:17] obviously, with the crossings, [00:26:18] being able to close that down [00:26:20] for certain events and times. [00:26:23] So we wanted to take that a step further [00:26:26] and really analyze it and see how we can improve that. [00:26:29] Next slide. [00:26:34] So the first thing that we looked at [00:26:36] was all of the connections between the drives [00:26:40] and Nebraska, and looking at what happens [00:26:43] when you do close that down, [00:26:45] and how do we create both a easily transitioned street [00:26:51] from a vehicular to a more pedestrian-friendly street, [00:26:55] and still allow for the access [00:26:58] and the drives to function well, [00:27:01] and to provide a safe space, easy to find, [00:27:06] create the wayfinding needed, [00:27:08] and support all of the businesses. [00:27:11] These conditions, certainly in the era of COVID, [00:27:15] we were thinking about spaces [00:27:17] that you can continue to build outside of your restaurant, [00:27:21] your location, to provide additional seating [00:27:26] and fresh air, more distancing opportunities. [00:27:29] It's become something that's been repeated [00:27:34] over a lot of downtowns more recently. [00:27:36] Go to the next slide. [00:27:40] Some of the site conditions that you see [00:27:43] were a lot of the power lines at this location. [00:27:46] We have a tremendous amount of infrastructure [00:27:48] hanging above your heads, [00:27:50] and it's maybe not the most beautiful pedestrian bridge [00:27:55] in a way for that. [00:27:57] And then we have a couple blank walls along the side [00:28:01] that we wanted to have give to that street experience [00:28:05] instead of being the seeming like the back or alley side [00:28:10] of some of those spaces. [00:28:11] So how could we make that the front of those spaces? [00:28:15] And then with some of the pedestrian sidewalks and parking, [00:28:21] like right now, if you see in the bottom left-hand corner, [00:28:25] it's really indicative of how a lot of the parking [00:28:27] happens directly off of the street [00:28:29] and blocks a lot of the pedestrian way. [00:28:31] And it is being used without a lot of regulation [00:28:36] along that corridor. [00:28:37] So to give a little more standard [00:28:39] and preference to the pedestrian. [00:28:44] Next slide. [00:28:48] So we thought of this in a few different ways. [00:28:50] Think of it in a market situation. [00:28:53] Think of it on a weekend situation where it's just open [00:28:58] and maybe a group event or a larger event [00:29:01] that may have a market with it [00:29:03] or may just be a larger venue with, [00:29:08] maybe there's a quartet or a small group, [00:29:11] not something that competes with Sims, [00:29:12] but more of an intimate setting. [00:29:14] So the group area we placed in the middle [00:29:18] that would be supporting the market, [00:29:21] supporting the rest of that corridor. [00:29:24] I want to make sure that we're emphasizing [00:29:25] the entry to that area, [00:29:28] clearly denoted within the downtown, [00:29:31] and provide easily accessible, [00:29:35] easily marked off places for a market to occur within that. [00:29:40] And then to also direct the traffic in a way [00:29:45] that wouldn't impede that from occurring. [00:29:48] Next slide. [00:29:51] So to bring your attention to a few elements, [00:29:56] on the far right side, [00:30:00] The parking space, as it comes to Nebraska, [00:30:04] we have a little bit of a landscape buffer. [00:30:06] So we keep the parking within the parking lot [00:30:09] instead of coming onto Nebraska. [00:30:11] So that allows us a little more green space, [00:30:13] allows us to create more of an entry feature on Adams. [00:30:19] And then as you move farther to the left, in the middle, [00:30:24] you see a little bit of a lawn and a shelter. [00:30:27] We're thinking of that shelter as something [00:30:29] that could be simply a shelter, a place for, [00:30:34] to stop and have shade during the week, [00:30:37] have picnic eating area, [00:30:39] but then could also double as a small support, [00:30:45] not a full band shell, [00:30:47] but support those type of activities during a market. [00:30:50] So if you ever visit, for instance, [00:30:53] the Saturday morning market in St. Petersburg [00:30:55] is extremely large and there's always a place [00:30:58] for music to occur there. [00:30:59] So we wanted to place that right at the center. [00:31:02] The green ovals are planters that help organize [00:31:10] and prevent some of that parking [00:31:12] that's happening across the pedestrian way. [00:31:16] The small orange pieces are benches [00:31:20] that are built into those planters. [00:31:24] And the pink that you see crossing, [00:31:26] no, we're not going to paint your street pink, [00:31:28] but that is denoting that we would have crosswalks. [00:31:31] So we're not repaving, we're not spending a lot of money [00:31:36] lifting up at this point. [00:31:38] We want to spend the money [00:31:39] on putting that infrastructure away, [00:31:42] on small crossings for those pedestrian ways [00:31:46] and the planters and a little bit of those medians. [00:31:51] The yellow that you see crisscrossing, [00:31:54] we're looking at cafe-style string lights [00:31:57] that would go back and forth across the pedestrian way. [00:32:01] So you have a different type of lighting. [00:32:03] You don't have necessarily the harsh street lighting [00:32:06] for cafe seating. [00:32:09] Next slide. [00:32:13] In this mode, it shows the placement of market stalls. [00:32:17] So in blue shows how those stalls occur [00:32:20] between the planters and we've positioned everything [00:32:24] in such a way that it helps with that stall placement. [00:32:28] We just completed a market for the pure approach [00:32:32] that uses this type of transition [00:32:34] where we have some solid elements and some tent elements [00:32:38] and keeping the interval at a way [00:32:40] that really helps with the spacing, [00:32:45] that gives them some opportunities. [00:32:47] If it's a food vendor, [00:32:48] they could have some small tables outside. [00:32:51] It gives enough opportunities for that type of flexibility. [00:32:55] And then depending on the size of market, [00:32:57] you can start at the center and grow out from there, [00:33:01] but wanted to make sure that we were thinking [00:33:03] of the street in multiple ways. [00:33:06] Also, a couple of food truck locations, [00:33:09] a little bit hard to see, but the upper right-hand side, [00:33:13] particularly added a couple of opportunities [00:33:17] for food trucks to come in there [00:33:20] from the right side of the drawing. [00:33:24] Next slide. [00:33:28] This is a picture of how that space might be activated [00:33:31] with the market stalls. [00:33:33] You see the tents that denote that. [00:33:35] The bottom, you see how the crosswalk might occur [00:33:40] across the existing street. [00:33:43] Planters and the seating help define the street better [00:33:47] than it is currently. [00:33:49] Integrating some more landscape around the perimeter. [00:33:55] To the right would be the little lawn [00:33:59] with a shelter to it. [00:34:00] So where you see the mural, [00:34:03] we're thinking that one, to work with the frontier building [00:34:07] and potentially add a mural on the side [00:34:11] that would face that little courtyard, [00:34:13] and then looking at screening on the wall [00:34:17] that faces the pedestrian ways. [00:34:20] So those we have included in the budgeting [00:34:24] in the previous look ahead at this. [00:34:27] And you can see how the cafe-style lighting goes across. [00:34:32] If we were at night, you would see that stringing the way [00:34:37] through that corridor. [00:34:38] So this is a way of being extremely strategic, [00:34:43] getting rid of the predominant amount [00:34:46] of the overhead lines that were crisscrossing everywhere. [00:34:50] We do need to maintain the higher voltage lines [00:34:53] that are along that corridor. [00:34:55] Those are the ones that are a lot more expensive [00:34:59] to put underground. [00:35:00] So we're being very judicious [00:35:03] with where we're spending the dollars [00:35:06] with these improvements. [00:35:08] But I think at the end of the day, [00:35:09] you have a very active street. [00:35:12] Recently, the city of Clearwater closed a portion [00:35:15] of their main Cleveland Street coming into downtown. [00:35:19] That's been really well-received, [00:35:21] and that is actually a main corridor, [00:35:25] not as much as it used to be before they moved the bridge [00:35:28] over to Clearwater Beach. [00:35:29] But they've struggled with their downtown very much so, [00:35:33] and that was one really positive spark to their downtown [00:35:39] that they were able to measure even through 2020. [00:35:43] So with that, I'll take any questions you may have. [00:35:51] Questions? [00:35:53] I like it. [00:35:54] It looks really good. [00:35:55] I really like the incorporation [00:35:56] of the bigger of the shade trees along there. [00:35:59] I think that helps with the shading, [00:36:00] because I know we talked about doing some, [00:36:02] you know, like over-the-street shades. [00:36:05] I know you can't see in there, [00:36:07] but maybe like some seating would be [00:36:08] actually underneath the trees, too. [00:36:10] Absolutely. [00:36:12] I like the growth on the side of the, [00:36:14] I guess I call it the phone building. [00:36:17] But the growth on that, some ivy or whatever it is. [00:36:20] But it looks really good. [00:36:23] The colored mural really kind of stands out, [00:36:26] makes it pop out there. [00:36:29] So I think overall, I mean, it looks really good. [00:36:31] And getting rid of the utility lines, [00:36:33] that was a huge thing, so. [00:36:34] Really, and that's really the predominant amount [00:36:37] of this particular scope of work. [00:36:40] That's the most of your money is spent [00:36:42] putting those underground. [00:36:44] And I think everything else that we're doing [00:36:45] is just very strategic. [00:36:47] You know, a mural is fairly low cost for a high impact, [00:36:51] so we're trying to be very judicious that way. [00:36:57] Thank you. [00:37:00] Certainly getting the utility underground is important, [00:37:03] and having a chance for us to look at the overall budget [00:37:07] and the capital improvement plan, [00:37:09] and having a bit of a menu of things [00:37:12] that we may be allowed to pre-plan for, [00:37:17] whether or not they're funded initially or not. [00:37:19] But it has been something I've mentioned [00:37:23] to my colleagues for a while. [00:37:24] But in fact, I think, Mayor, you brought up the other day [00:37:27] the possibility or the prognosis for the Chasco Fiesta. [00:37:33] We've had a couple of years where the carnival, [00:37:41] which is a funding source for the non-profit entity [00:37:45] that puts on this and other events, [00:37:51] has always been almost a requirement [00:37:53] in order to match sponsorship money to put events on. [00:37:57] Oftentimes, the food service becomes the choice [00:38:01] for the non-profits to try to make money. [00:38:04] They report, I happen to be on the Chasco Committee, [00:38:07] so I have some knowledge of that, [00:38:08] but they report their income, and it's minimal. [00:38:13] They may make $1,000 or $2,000. [00:38:15] It's my observation that carnivals give us a share [00:38:21] of the carnival rides, but they do not give us a share [00:38:25] of where the real money is, [00:38:28] which is in taking it from our blue-collar community's [00:38:32] pockets to find a treat for their girlfriend [00:38:36] or to get a bigger teddy bear, whatever they do. [00:38:40] And so they don't disclose to us how much money they make. [00:38:44] Other communities put volunteers and non-profit groups [00:38:49] in charge of the more quaint, small-town sort of atmosphere [00:38:54] that you see on the Hallmark Channel [00:38:55] when you see these events, which are pretty common [00:38:59] for what's about to come, which is 500 Christmas movies [00:39:02] that we're gonna have probably over the next couple [00:39:04] of months, but it's approaching that look, [00:39:08] and that's one of the things that I think Coast City [00:39:11] really strives for is to have that same, [00:39:13] we know each other, we're a small town, [00:39:15] and make people feel like they've come [00:39:18] in a nostalgic way to our events. [00:39:20] So I'm gonna continue to push to see [00:39:24] some of the business activity of these events [00:39:27] moved into the town, and in my view, [00:39:30] whether it's this or if that went with, [00:39:32] I think some of us have discussed moving [00:39:35] this corridor down behind, all the way to the river, [00:39:39] the Crossing Grand and continuing that theme, [00:39:42] we create kind of a path from the entrance of the park [00:39:45] into that main business backside. [00:39:50] And so I can see the great benefit in us having booths [00:39:56] and things that we could create entertainment activity, [00:40:02] and let the food vendors and the food trucks pay [00:40:05] and maybe shift our dynamics, because right now, [00:40:09] the events are concerned whether they can be held, [00:40:12] and it's kind of an opportunity for the city [00:40:14] to step in and say, you know, we've got another idea, [00:40:18] because some of the members of these committees [00:40:21] have been telling the city, if you won't do this, [00:40:24] or if we can't do that, if we can't have the carnival, [00:40:27] we can't put the show on. [00:40:29] So that's another discussion for my colleagues. [00:40:32] I just wanted to bring it up while we were on topic [00:40:34] that I would love to see when we have a concert or an event [00:40:39] or a daytime concert, that leading those folks in [00:40:44] to shop and see our town and have some of those [00:40:49] special event type things moved out. [00:40:51] It's a bit of a challenge for maintaining the park, [00:40:56] although maintaining the park is a challenge, [00:40:58] because we haven't had an event for a year, [00:40:59] and it still becomes a challenge sometimes. [00:41:02] But I think having the city, with your help, [00:41:07] bring these kind of drawings out will help us [00:41:10] to retain those events, because there's some discussion, [00:41:14] well, if this doesn't happen, we'll go somewhere else, [00:41:16] or we'll just put the carnival out on the highway, [00:41:19] or whatever. [00:41:20] Initially, we brought that into town for that purpose, [00:41:23] to bring that traffic into our downtown. [00:41:26] The next step, it seems to me, [00:41:27] is to use these kind of amenities and show the city off [00:41:31] when we have those events. [00:41:32] So I'm all for it. [00:41:34] I think it's good. [00:41:36] The only other comment I would give is, [00:41:38] as you look at that space in there, [00:41:41] and you eliminate the use of automobiles, [00:41:47] I could see the potential for times when it isn't closed, [00:41:53] to allow golf cart parking only, or something like that, [00:41:57] because we have 120 golf carts, [00:41:59] owners that live in our city, [00:42:01] that come in and out of restaurants and lunch [00:42:03] and drive all the time. [00:42:05] That's part of our vibe. [00:42:07] So I would suggest there could be some conversation [00:42:10] about those smaller straight-in parking spaces. [00:42:15] If you had four or five parking spaces, [00:42:18] and as we've had electric car things, [00:42:20] it's like we're accommodating this activity [00:42:23] that we're really sort of projecting. [00:42:25] And just to clarify, absolutely. [00:42:28] I think the beauty of this is, [00:42:30] we're calling it more of a convertible street, [00:42:33] meaning that you have the privy to determine [00:42:37] when it's open, when it's shut. [00:42:40] Most of the cities that are implementing [00:42:44] this type of use are doing a Friday-to-Sunday [00:42:49] type of closure, so you start to create [00:42:52] a little bit of a sense of arrival on the weekends, [00:42:56] that if you can create a sense for your downtown [00:42:59] that I'm just gonna come to this location [00:43:02] without a destination in mind, [00:43:03] just as this is the town's living room, [00:43:08] I'm gonna come here and then decide what to do, [00:43:10] I think you've created something [00:43:12] that really draws into the downtown. [00:43:14] I like the idea of getting rid of the overheads rat's nest. [00:43:21] It doesn't look good. [00:43:23] You sort of hit on one of the couple of questions [00:43:27] that I had, which was, for all practical purposes, [00:43:32] a number of the businesses that either front [00:43:36] or back up to that street need to be able [00:43:40] to have deliveries at some time, [00:43:43] and that's going to involve trucks coming in, [00:43:46] Wright's Market, Rose's Bistro, [00:43:55] probably Wanna Taco, and the others as well. [00:44:00] The bars, they've gotta have the ability [00:44:03] for delivery vehicles to come in, [00:44:05] so we're gonna have to look at it [00:44:08] in terms of what time of day or what days of the week [00:44:13] that it's actually open and available [00:44:15] for them to be able to get deliveries, [00:44:16] because we don't want to put them out of business [00:44:18] because they can't physically get the people in. [00:44:22] The other concern I have, and I don't know [00:44:25] that it's been well addressed on this, [00:44:28] but perhaps with the additional trees it helps, [00:44:33] there's about six or eight months of the year [00:44:36] that during the daytime, that is a brutal desert. [00:44:41] I mean, it's awful. [00:44:44] The pavement picks up the heat, [00:44:47] and it's probably well into triple digits [00:44:52] if you're out there trying to walk around. [00:44:54] At night, it's less bad, but during the daytime, [00:44:58] there's just zero. [00:45:00] shade, and we've got to have something there. Otherwise people won't go there. I think when [00:45:08] the original iteration of Railroad Square was opened up in 2007, there was a thought [00:45:15] that all sorts of stuff would happen down there, but the fact of the matter is all sorts [00:45:19] of stuff doesn't happen down there, and the reason primarily is because it's just too [00:45:24] blame hot, and so we've got to address that. I would encourage you to look at anything [00:45:34] else that we can add that will provide some shade, because that is the biggest single [00:45:40] deficit that that area has. But other than that, the idea of closing it in a little bit, [00:45:50] the decorative railroad-style sidewalks, people mistake for parking spaces, it hasn't [00:46:01] worked out as well as I think some of the folks that originally designed it had hoped. [00:46:06] So doing what you're suggesting there with moving it in with some planters and some other [00:46:10] stuff, probably a good idea. I like Councilman Allman's thought about having that available [00:46:19] as a golf cart zone for times when perhaps we don't have a whole bunch of tents and pedestrians [00:46:32] out there. And I did see Mr. Davis walk in the back. If you'd like to come on down front [00:46:37] and join us for this discussion. [00:46:42] Come sign in, and be nice or he'll card you. [00:46:50] I think the heat, one of the reasons why we're creating some of those planter cutouts, especially [00:46:56] along the parking lot, so you don't have, you have a little bit of a buffer and don't [00:47:01] have as much heat sink effect from the pavement as well. So those are great comments. Thank [00:47:07] you. [00:47:08] Any other thoughts on... [00:47:09] Are we going, is this drawing, I have one question, is this drawing going west of Grand [00:47:17] Boulevard? [00:47:18] Actually, this is just the first phase of a project. And what we wanted to accomplish [00:47:26] this evening was to have you approve some design elements, for instance, sinking the [00:47:33] overhead utilities, establishing shade structures, and the hardscape and landscape features. [00:47:42] And as we further develop the plan, we'll be talking to the business owners. We haven't [00:47:49] had that opportunity yet, but we needed you to sort of help us define the project and [00:47:54] then we'll complete the design. [00:47:55] Okay, then there's one other thing I'd like to see us at least look at and see if there's [00:48:00] a way that we can head south to Cavalier Square. [00:48:03] Okay. [00:48:04] Because, I mean, if, you know, with that park there, we should be tying that into this somehow. [00:48:12] Sure. [00:48:13] And in answer to your question, I would agree with, I think, what you were implying, which [00:48:18] is we probably ought to be looking at ultimately extending this to the west all the way to [00:48:23] the river. [00:48:25] Well, you know, well, to Bank Street anyhow. [00:48:30] At least to Bank Street. [00:48:31] Yeah. [00:48:32] Yeah. [00:48:33] And then, like I said, it's only a parking lot to the Cavalier Square, so. [00:48:38] Right. [00:48:39] You know, I mean, if we're going to go this route, I mean, I would probably go to Cavalier [00:48:43] Square before I went west of Grand. [00:48:46] Okay. [00:48:47] If I'm not mistaken, there was a planning recommendation earlier on, and I like your [00:48:53] idea, and thank you for bringing it up, because that's a great little spot and ought to be [00:48:59] part of a festival if it occurred. [00:49:02] But there was a, someone talked about, I think, from your company, oh, there's enough room, [00:49:07] we could put another small business there or something, if I'm not mistaken, but that's [00:49:13] the rub. [00:49:14] I mean, we like that circulation to go around to the other shops. [00:49:18] In working that, just to throw that out there so everybody knows, that parking lot right [00:49:22] behind Boulevard of Beef and Ale, that's got to be accessible to get in and get out, [00:49:27] because that's private parking. [00:49:28] So it's not going to be something that can be permanent, but it can be something that [00:49:32] we can try to figure a way to access it. [00:49:37] If you could back up a couple of the slides to show that area where the, yeah, that one. [00:49:44] They're talking about a bandshell, if you look at the green, where that parking lot [00:49:49] is on the west side of the Verizon building, they're talking about a bandshell where the [00:49:54] red is and then just sort of a, is that grass or something like that? [00:49:58] Yeah, but see, as I said, I would rather tie it down to Cavalier Square. [00:50:04] That makes the whole area larger and more activity, and I think the people that are [00:50:09] in that strip of buildings on Grand might find, like Boulevard of Beef and Ale did, [00:50:15] access the back side of their buildings and open that side up as businesses. [00:50:19] I mean, the impetus for that piece was thinking that we could still maintain the maintenance [00:50:27] access from the opposite side through those parking side for those businesses there. [00:50:36] We could also look at connections through the parking lot on the right side of the drawing [00:50:43] as well. [00:50:45] I'm going to agree with Chopper's comment, though, and say if you're looking for a reaction, [00:50:51] that's an investment for a feature that contains the excitement and entertainment to the alley, [00:50:58] to the corridor that you're looking at. [00:51:01] Got a stage already, really. [00:51:02] The stage is there. [00:51:03] We've spent a lot of money. [00:51:04] I lost a lot of, well, friends. [00:51:06] You got to go to France. [00:51:08] What the heck are you talking about? [00:51:11] We had a giant naked lady we were going to put on as a mural, but that didn't go over [00:51:15] too well. [00:51:16] It was very tasteful, though, but anyhow, that pathway through there could also be an [00:51:25] additional route for a market, because if you have a market, it may grow, it may create [00:51:31] more activity. [00:51:33] And Missouri Avenue is the location of our newest little art galleries, and they're a [00:51:38] bit isolated, I guess, sometimes, or feel isolated. [00:51:44] So to me, one day we've got to go all the way south by that parking lot and then cut [00:51:52] back Missouri and create some activity on the south side of Missouri even. [00:51:59] So we've talked a lot about our downtown expanding. [00:52:02] It seems that's the center from which it has only a little ways to grow. [00:52:09] I think it would change the whole retail atmosphere on the south side of Missouri. [00:52:13] I think it's all beautiful comments, and I think how we've always talked about it is [00:52:18] that this is a kit of parts and a phase, right? [00:52:23] So you can complete one phase and then use that kit of parts to keep expanding it as [00:52:28] you move forward. [00:52:29] So I think all the comments about where that might grow from are great comments to think [00:52:35] about the next phases. [00:52:38] I consider this part of, since you put that little red dot there, that we are talking [00:52:43] about this phase. [00:52:45] Right. [00:52:46] And that's the thought of it, if you wanted to extend that space through, I think that's [00:52:51] perfect because you're already starting to pull through there. [00:52:55] You're noting that this is a location here because that's an upper shade structure. [00:53:00] It's not a solid structure, inviting people to come through that corridor if you choose [00:53:05] to move that direction. [00:53:06] And we've still got to have vehicle access into that parking lot behind those buildings [00:53:15] that front on Grand Boulevard. [00:53:17] Again, could be convertible. [00:53:19] So if you were having an event, say, we're going to have a festival this Saturday, you're [00:53:25] going to have that as a convertible part of the market just for that day. [00:53:32] Can you have the businesses have enough organization to work the deliveries around that? [00:53:39] But it's a logistical discussion. [00:53:43] It's not just the deliveries in that case, it's also the... [00:53:50] That's parking for those people that they're... [00:53:52] Absolutely. [00:53:53] That's private parking for their clientele. [00:53:56] And I think we've got to take a look at... [00:54:00] The lane that you have full privy to is the parking to the right. [00:54:04] So you have that parking. [00:54:07] If you think of downtown in a larger parking sense, if a portion of that becomes critical [00:54:14] to make a connection, you can start to... [00:54:18] You have full privy of that space. [00:54:22] If we can just keep this dialogue going a little bit, the green spot and your place [00:54:27] where the local bands will play or fire eaters or whoever you've got, whoever comes. [00:54:34] If that wasn't there, you've got a tree. [00:54:39] So again, that's our public parking lot, that little row of parking spaces against the building [00:54:45] is city. [00:54:47] And that's our only way to connect through from Missouri back and forth that we have [00:54:54] control over. [00:54:55] So either we should be talking to the landowner or the private parking lot and saying, hey, [00:55:00] come take a look at this. [00:55:02] Can we provide you those spaces? [00:55:04] And can we ask you to redesign it in a way? [00:55:09] And the second thing I would say is the way you've got it drawn, there really isn't room [00:55:13] for golf carts, but that little small corridor may provide that opportunity for right in [00:55:21] the core of town to just run up against that building with some golf cart parking and [00:55:25] give you a shorter or an easier walk path through, something like that. [00:55:31] That's actually not a bad idea. [00:55:34] If you park in those spaces, it can be interesting backing out because there's not a whole lot [00:55:42] of space there. [00:55:43] Golf carts would not have that issue. [00:55:47] I think it's a great idea on the service if you have another trade with that. [00:55:53] If this sliver of parking were to become part of an agreement together with them, I think [00:56:02] that really gives a lot to the street. [00:56:05] Interesting. [00:56:06] Well, they've been complaining or concerned of getting their customers in. [00:56:12] I think old Clyde Harvey, I don't know if you know him, but I'm sure you do, an attorney [00:56:20] older than me, I should stop now, said that he goes to Rose's Bistro and he's complained [00:56:29] to me that when the event was blocking the street off, it affected his ability during [00:56:34] the COVID to support the business downtown, whatever. [00:56:37] We do have that little riddle with the beef and ale and the Rose's Bistro. [00:56:44] I have to be creative in there for sure because we will get some flack for that. [00:56:51] This may be where we want to start giving serious consideration to the golf cart shuttle [00:56:57] type services doing a loop to get in there because the Clyde hobbies of the world are [00:57:04] going to have trouble. [00:57:07] Anytime you cut off even that little bit of parking because there's a fair number of [00:57:13] people that do frequent those restaurants that are not terribly mobile. [00:57:25] I'm not really concerned about their getting into their spots. [00:57:29] If we utilize our parking spots to end up being more of a road to and from and then [00:57:36] we close it off at different times when we want to. [00:57:38] We've got an event and they know about it, they're aware of it. [00:57:42] They're going to receive business because of it. [00:57:47] That may be that we do give up some of those because there aren't that many spaces. [00:57:51] Like five or six right there. [00:57:54] There's not that many. [00:57:55] Maybe eight when we count the Cavalier Square ones. [00:57:57] We are gaining additional spaces in the Swanson lot and also the lot back on west of Ritchie [00:58:07] Suncoast Theater. [00:58:11] In the net, we're probably okay. [00:58:16] I would think the lot right up against the Verizon building on the west side, there may [00:58:23] be some opportunities to play with that to make it possible to get down to Cavalier Square [00:58:31] and incorporate that in. [00:58:32] It is a shame. [00:58:34] Cavalier Square is, I think easily, the least utilized park in the entire city. [00:58:45] It's never had much reason. [00:58:49] We leased it to one of the restaurants and they were able to do something with it. [00:58:54] Other than that, it's a beautiful little park, but it's very underutilized. [00:59:01] When the city bought it, the blue park came with those parking spaces, so that was the [00:59:10] shape of the property that was for sale. [00:59:13] The real acquisition was to get those parking spaces, and then what do you do with that [00:59:17] little square that you don't have any room to do anything, and then the idea was to make [00:59:21] a pocket park. [00:59:22] But when the Dulcet was operating, the reggae, it was kind of cool to walk through there [00:59:28] and have some life out there. [00:59:31] I would definitely take a look at the lots on the west side of the... [00:59:35] I know Lisa's piece is just entertaining, possibly doing things there too. [00:59:40] Can I give you some... [00:59:42] You've given me clear direction. [00:59:44] Thank you. [00:59:45] You've been through plexiglass. [00:59:47] Yeah, I'm looking forward to COVID being over. [00:59:51] I have enough trouble seeing the screens with my multi-focus lenses without having to look [00:59:59] through... [01:00:00] multiple layers of plexiglass to see. [01:00:02] It helps to reflect on these ideas, though. [01:00:05] Yes, it does. [01:00:07] It's reflecting there and there. [01:00:09] Exactly. [01:00:11] Thank you. [01:00:12] Thank you for the comments and the conversation. [01:00:14] I mean, it's really fabulous to see what's happening [01:00:16] with the downtown and what you all as a group have done [01:00:19] and how you're thinking, so glad to be a part of it. [01:00:21] Thank you. [01:00:22] All right, hope we gave you some good ideas too, Tim. [01:00:24] Absolutely.

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

4. 5Adjournment▶ 1:00:25
5. 4Communications