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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-2011 C.M'..DF_~~, * ~ DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WASHINGTON - JULY 12, 2011 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER ' 'Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order af 4:00 p.m. in Annex Conference Room 2, located on the second floor of One East Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee Members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Vice Chair Nancy Backus, and Member Rich Wagner. Staff present included: Planning and Development Director Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Arts & Events Manager Julie Brewer, Aits Coordinator Maija McKnight, and Support Clerk Bobbie , Nodgkinson. Audience Members present were: Greg Watson Auburn Arts Commission; Gail Spurrell; and Ed Nahn, Ra-Mar, Inc. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. Meeting Minutes - May 24, 2011 Vice Chair Backus moved and Member Wagner seconded to approve the consent agenda items as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3-0 III. DISCUSSION DISCUSSION / INFORMATION A. Downtown Sculpture Gallery Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain nofed fhat staff came before the Committee at the May 24, 2011, meeting and talked about a series of projects that could start given there is a surplus ofi Local Revitalization Funds (LRF) funding. One item was a public art piece with a proposed budget of $50,000. Staff proposes to develop an outdoor sculpture gallery that will have rotat'ing sculpture pieces with permanent pedestals. Potential locations were brought before the Committee for review so work can begin on design of the pedestals. Chair Norman requested clarification that the $50,000 budget is to pay for the pedestals and the art is donated by the artist. Ms: McKnight confirmed the pedestals would be built with this funding. The art would be through a loan program; it would be a yearty rotation and out of a different budget would come a,stipend to the artist. One aspect of many loan programs is a Peoples' Choice Award, a continual addition to the collection with the purchase of the favorite piece at the end of every year. A map was presented to the Committee showing locations for the Outdoor Sculpture Gallery pedestals. Ms. Chamberlain walked the Committee through the proposed locations. - Page 1 Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes Julv 12, 2011 Chair Norman asked how these fifi with the places tfiat we install the kiosk signage. Ms. Chamberlain indicated she does not believe they conflict but will double check. Member Wagner inquired if some of these locations are more secure than others with respect to graffiti and other damage and expressed concem about location No. 1 since it is out of the way and did not feel this is a good location. Ms Cham6erlain responded that the goal for long-term for downtown is connecting the rest of V1/est Main Street; it may be isolated today but as we work on developmenf efforts beyond the four blocks and the Environmental Park, it ap starts to connect. Ms. Chamberlain stated as we start getting into design and budgeting for the pedestals, we can revisit map location No. 1 if it is still a question for the Committee. Member Wagner asked if the pedestals will have identifying signage. Ms. McKnight responded that a plaque would be installed that can be changed and noted that usually with these loan programs the art is for sale with the aitist's name and price. Chair Norman's asked about the timeline, and Ms. Chamberlain indicated probably by the end of the year after staff determines if the design ean be done in-house or contracted out. A call to artists can be issued when details are firmed. Insuring the artwork against damage was discussed. Ms. McKnight stated there are a couple models; some ask artists to take all responsib'ilities, some have shared responsibility with the City. Contract details will need to be negotiated. A future conversation with the Committee will take place conceming how this issue will be handled once all the logistics are known. B. City Hall Plaza The Committee was invited #o discuss the possibility of a gazebo structure af City Hall Plaza or Plaza Park. Chair Norman asked if the Committee is firm on the idea of something like a gazebo or would public art senre the same purpose. The Committee is interested in having an elemenf where people can meet. Other ideas were discussed and whether the element should be permanent or movable. It was agreed to maintain the functionality of the space and whatever is selected is movable and goes up when noth"ing else is planned there. Director Snyder noted that the more structures added to this space inhibits other seasonal use in terms of haVing to work around a tent structure. A slim kiosk we can probably work around, but anything that goes higher poses more of a challenge for using the space. Director Snyder noted that in Europe plaza spaces are purposely kept uncluttered to create the human space and they keep structures limited. It provides a blank slate if you want to program the space. Member Wagner likes the idea of something low scale but welcoming but that is movable. Page 2 Downtown Redeveloament Committee Minutes Julv 12, 2011 The Committee inquired about the selected locations for the pedestrian wayfinding kiosks and whether the location selected for the Promenade is appropriate. Ms. Chamberlain stated that care was taken in how the kiosk locations were selected and recommended not fo change the kiosk locations. The Committee concurred. The Committee discussed additional signage at the Plaza and the need for more detail on which building city services are located. Assistant City Engineer Gaub suggested to the Committee placing something at the upper part of the Plaza close to the entrances to City Hall with a map that shows what is in the two buildings. The Committee liked this idea and sfaff will research the feasibility as well as looking at incorporating a pedestrian wayfinding kiosk as part of the North City Hall Plaza project. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee agreed to getthrough a season with Plaza Park, get furniture installed, and Promenade construction finished and see how the spaces function together and then revisif the discussion abouf adding an iconic element to the space. C. DRC Matrix Ms. Chamberlain updated the Committee on items that wece adjusted to later in the year for discussion due to the focus on projects being worked on with the balance of LRF funds. Chair Norman approved moving Item 6, Aubum Junction Team, to the first meeting in August since staff is still reviewing the draft market analysis received on July 8, 2011.. Ms. Chamberlain responded to a question whether or not developers are asking about Item 10, Downfown Incentives: Not yet, because this item concems what else we could add to the incentives that are currently in place. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment Committee, Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m. PPROVED THIS DAY OF g74_~/ Lynn Norman, Chair Bobbie Hodgkinson, Sup ort Clerk Page 3