HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-2011
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~ 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. -
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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.
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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
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