9.b Request_Assessment Scandia Heritage AllianceScandia Heritage Alliance | PO Box 159 | Scandia, MN 55073
651-233-0267 | ScandiaHeritageAlliance@gmail.com
To: Scandia City Council
From: Scandia Heritage Alliance
Date: November 15, 2019
Subject: Request for Public/Private Partnership to Create the
Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts & Heritage Center
Dear Scandia City Council,
Thank you for allowing us to present our proposal for a public/private partnership to create an
Arts & Heritage Center in Scandia at the South Olinda Ballfield (South Commons). Following is an
overview of our proposal, as well as background information about our group and its objectives.
Our proposal:
Our proposal is to renovate the historic Scandia Water Tower Barn to be part of a larger
indoor/outdoor community development for the benefit of all residents. We envision:
A site to celebrate the arts and cultural heritage of Scandia by providing an inclusive center and
amphitheater that will host arts and heritage exhibitions, provide stage space for small
productions, and be available as a gathering space.
Attached please find:
• A report from Architect Peter Hilger, AIA, with his recommendation on the ideal site for the
Arts & Heritage Center, a proposed preliminary site plan, and additional (non-solicited)
recommendations regarding recreational and long-term community planning in Scandia.
(NOTE: Peter Hilger is a volunteer with Scandia Heritage Alliance and has provided his report pro-bono. A short bio
highlighting Peter’s qualifications is included below.)
• A study on the historic relevance of the Water Tower Barn by Two Pines Resource Group
Who are we?
The Scandia Heritage Alliance is a community-based charitable 501(c)(3) organization
dedicated to Scandia. We are managed by volunteers – no paid staff. Our board members are
Susan Rodsjo, President; Sarah Porubcansky, VP; Christine Maefsky, Secretary; Pamela Plowman
Smith, treasurer; Leila Denecke; and attorney John Herman, Esq . (please see below for John’s
bio). Many additional community volunteers from Scandia, plus a Capstone Student from Metro
State University, have been closely involved in planning for the Arts & Heritage Center.
Our mission and goals:
⇒ Advocate for preservation and renovation of historic structures and landscapes
⇒ Educate the community about our cultural heritage
⇒ Promote arts and culture in our community
What we have accomplished:
⇒ Incorporated in March 2018 and obtained 501(c)(3) tax status in March 2019
⇒ Gained civic and community visibility and financial support with two successful Scandia
Progressive Dinners
⇒ Submitted a grant application for state Legacy Funding to create a bike/drive tour of
Scandia’s historic sites – to include outdoor museum displays and a site map
⇒ Held an all-community open house/public meeting to solicit broader views on possible
projects, as well as specific feedback on the proposed Arts & Heritage Center
Scandia Heritage Alliance | PO Box 159 | Scandia, MN 55073
651-233-0267 | ScandiaHeritageAlliance@gmail.com
⇒ Completed a site study that identified the South Commons area (south Olinda Ballfield)
as the preferred site, and created a preliminary site plan
⇒ Coordinated with Gammelgården on siting and access
⇒ Presented proposed plan to Scandia Park & Rec Committee
⇒ Presented to Hugh J. Andersen Foundation in preparation of grant application to request
funding for final site planning for the Arts & Heritage Center
Our request to the City:
⇒ Commit to lease the South Commons (South Olinda Ballfield site) to the Scandia Heritage
Alliance for use as the Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts and Heritage Center to allow us to
show site control to funders and proceed with site feasibility analysis
⇒ Agree to submit a State Bond Finance request for partial site funding in 2021/2022 under
Minnesota Statute 16A.695
⇒ Lease the Lower Commons to the Scandia Heritage Alliance for 50 years at $1 per year
starting as soon as the lease can be drafted and agreed upon
(Note: The proposed 50 years is 125% of the expected lifespan of the buildings, as is required to qualify for State
Bond Financing for the Arts & Heritage Center; other technical requirements for state bond financing would
also be incorporated into the lease structure, see Minn. Stat. Sec. 16A.695)
⇒ Ballfield will remain intact for at least 1 year, allowing PRC time to identify and develop
an alternate site
⇒ We propose the lease commitment be conditioned on the Scandia Heritage Alliance
meeting the following milestones:
o 1 year: Investigate and determine site viability (soil testing, site survey and final
site plan, preliminary architectural design);
o 5 years: Demonstrate fundraising for initial restoration of Water Tower Barn and
submit business plan for operational independence.
NOTE: No City capital funding or operating assistance is being requested. However, the Scandia
Heritage Alliance would like to identify the land lease value for matching purposes in grant
applications.
We look forward to making our presentation at the next City Council Meeting and thank you for
considering our proposal.
Yours Sincerely,
The Scandia Heritage Alliance Board of Directors
See below for Peter Hilger and John Herman bios.
Scandia Heritage Alliance | PO Box 159 | Scandia, MN 55073
651-233-0267 | ScandiaHeritageAlliance@gmail.com
Bio for Peter Hilger, AIA, Architect
Faculty Director, Construction and Facility Management Program, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
College of Continuing and Professional Studies, April 2011-Present
Principal, Rylaur LLC, 2006 – Present
Advise clients on creative, constructable building and development solutions, specializing in commercial,
industrial, and early childhood education facilities. Consult as an expert on construction disputes, zoning
appeals, and forensic problem solving.
President and Architect, Rosewood/Portfolio, 1991 – 2006
Founded the firm in 1991 for the purpose of providing Design/Build services for commercial, industrial,
educational, and childcare clients across the country, with offices in St. Paul, Eau Claire, and Wausau,
Wisconsin
Related Experience: Planned the historic James J. Hill North Oaks Farm restoration. The project included
restoring the historic Creamery and preparing a wide-ranging Park and Recreation master plan for the
North Oaks Homeowners’ Association
Education: MA, Architecture, University of Oregon; BS, Architecture, Georgia Tech
Bio for John Herman, Esq.
Former Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels
Worked with Real Estate, Governmental Relations, and Environmental groups
Led Faegre’s Public/Private Partnership D evelopment Group
President, Herman Real Estate Advisors (current position)
R elated Experience: Represented many cultural organizations in successful projects, including
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Or chestra Hall, Cowles Center, Ordway Center,
Minnesota Children’s Museum, MacPhail Center for Music, and Children’s Theatre Company.
R epresented many social service organizations, including Washburn Center for Children and
Northwest Family Service Center, as well as many corporate, commercial, industrial, and housing
projects.
Experience with many public/private financing programs, including tax increment, state bond
financing, Livable Communities, pollution abatement grants, Legacy and Environmental Trust Fund
grants, Community Development Block Grants, and many other programs
Ed ucation: JD, Harvard Law School, 1971
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
November 19, 2019
FEASIBILITY REPORT
TO: Ms. Susan Rodsjo
Scandia Heritage Alliance
FROM: A. Peter Hilger, AIA philger@rylaur.com
RE: Scandia Arts and Heritage Center
Site Selection Feasibility Assessment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
After evaluation of all the potential sites given to me by the Scandia Heritage Alliance (SHA), I
have concluded that the best site to locate the historic Water Tower Barn as a central element of
a Scandia Arts and Heritage Center (SAHC), with consideration of the overall impact to the
community park and recreation facilities, is the existing ballfield site south of the Community
Center, across the existing wetland. This report will outline the rationale and basis for that
determination.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST
I was contacted by Susan Rodsjo on June 11, 2019, to assess a variety of sites within Scandia
for the relocation of the historic Water Tower Barn. A tour of the Lions Park, T-Ball Field, South
Commons Ballfield and former Fire Station sites with the SHA Board of Directors was conducted
on July 12, 2019, most of which were already familiar to me as a frequent cyclist in the area.
Based upon my previous experience planning the historic James J. Hill North Oaks Farm
restoration,, including restoration of the historic Creamery thereon and preparation of the Park/R
Report, a wide-ranging Park and Recreation master plan for the North Oaks Homeowners
Association, I am well familiar with the needs of a small community to preserve not only its
historical legacy, but its public recreation amenities as well. This report is my best judgement,
given a variety of factors later described, on how to proceed.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Summarizing the basis for review, I referenced the community input presentation materials dated
May 13, 2019, that essentially summarized the following community goals and objectives, within
which the proposed SAHC would presumably fit:
• Pride in the history of Scandia and its Swedish heritage
• Value in the broad recreational opportunities within the community
• Desire to maintain the rural character of the community, but also maintain a vital vibrant
town center area
• Desire to boost tourism and economic vitality within the community.
• “A site seen is a sight visited” meaning a visible site is more likely to be visited.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Based upon discussions and presentations prepared by Scandia Heritage Alliance, the program
primarily consists of the following elements:
• A new site for placement of the restored historic Water Tower Barn, oriented roughly
perpendicular to a street (for historic context) and highly visible to the community as they
drive, bike and walk by
• Co-located with a small amphitheater, indoor/outdoor community space, exhibit space,
and/or interpretive space for the history of Scandia and the Water Tower Barn
• Connection to publicly oriented spaces that identify as “community centric”
ALTERNATE SITE EVALUATIONS
With a population of approximately 4,000, Scandia is a highly decentralized, somewhat sprawling
rural community that has the benefit of a small “downtown.” Unlike many small rural towns, the
downtown core, dominated by the Elim Lutheran Church, sits atop a small hill, with municipal
access points that do not converge into a typical “Main and Main” arrangement, but rather an
hourglass arrangement resulting in two larger triangular areas. Hwy 97-Scandia Trail North, the
main local artery, is north of the central part of town, and two county roads – Olinda Trail North
and Oakhill Road North– both access the central part of town and converge (O+O), but contain
commercial and residential frontages apart from the main intersection of these roads. Between
Oakhill and Olinda, and below the hill and the church, sits the central public space which I will
refer to as the Commons, adjacent to the Gammelgården Museum to the west, and the Meister’s
commercial area to the east. The entrance to William O’Brian State Park is just over 3 miles from
the Scandia Commons, making access for visitors very convenient.
Beyond this central Commons, Scandia is spread far and wide along county and local roads, at a
relatively low density. From a bicyclist’s perspective, the joy of rural riding is enhanced by the
small village feel with a unique character – a pleasant rest stop along the way.
Following is an evaluation of all the sites considered.
SITE 1: Lions Park
Located 1.66 miles south of the intersection of Olinda and Oakhill, this property is used for picnics
and community gatherings and includes a shelter and a small parking lot. The property is oblong
in the shape of a flattened football. Although the property is adjacent the historic Hay Lake
School, and the Swedish Settler Obelisk is within walking distance, the distance from the main
center of town and the public Commons offset any potential advantage this site may have. This
location would be better suited as a community recreation area. There is adequate space for this
purpose, and it could be enhanced with additional recreational development and “refinement”
when needed to suit a growing population. It is conceivable that a non-league ball field could fit
within this site, however its dimensions are better suited for T-Ball, U-12 soccer, or lacrosse. As
the population density grows in this area, this park is likely to better serve a neighborhood need,
as well as a community need.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
SITE 2: Old Fire Hall
Already owned by the City, the old fire hall is likely a well-structured asset whose location is east
of the commons, in the Meister’s block. This site will ultimately enable connection to the future
Gateway Trail link. As a late 1960s (writer’s guess) fire hall, the building does have the capability
for adaptive re-use as a commercial structure, or even a residential one. There is ample room in
the rear yard for the Water Tower Barn, and as such it would make a compelling attraction for the
Gateway Trail, but its location would be almost invisible from the street. To place the building
where the fire station currently sits wastes a perfectly good building resource that is currently
being used by the Lions and the Boy Scouts. In the future, the building could alternatively be sold
to the public, and the economic benefits invested elsewhere.
SITE 3: Oakhill Ball Field
While contiguous to the commons area via a planned trail connection, the Oakhill ballfield sits a
bit low from Oakhill Road, and presently contains a small ballfield identified in the 2005 Park Plan
as a T-Ball field. The access to the parking lot is 1/3 mile from the Oakhill Olinda intersection,
and presently at the southern edge of the Meister’s commercial district. Given that more traffic
likely uses Olinda, this site is “less visible to many” but is still clearly visible from Oakhill Rd. To
place the Water Tower Barn on the site would mean that the iconic double doors would be well
below grade of the street, unless placed where the driveway entrance currently sits, making
vehicular access to this site all the more challenging. Overall, low visibility and proximity to
residential homeowners are the primary reasons this may not be the best possible site for the
Tower Barn. This site may have potential as a separate amphitheater site, although adjacent
residential properties are likely to cause problems.
SITE 4: South Commons (current ballfield)
Located at the descending curve on Olinda Trail, opposite an open wetland from the
existing community center, this site is at the southwestern corner of the Commons, a
quarter mile from the intersection of Olinda and Oakhill. It presently hosts a full size
(roughly 242’ X 235’) fenced baseball field, identified in the 2005 Park and Recreation
plan as a youth softball field. The sight lines to the Water Tower Barn—if the structure is
strategically located—are a unique attribute of this site. Located in the curve, it would be
visible heading either north or south along Olinda, and on the same street as originally
located. With some strategic forest management, the barn would also be visible from the
existing community center, a welcome visual reminder of the town’s past history from any
point around the perimeter of the wetland. Further, the site has potentially excellent
connectivity to the rest of the Commons’ amenities, as well as proximate access to the
Gammelgården Museum site, allowing shared social functions to occur easily without
transportation (e.g., weddings and reunions). The only disadvantage is the possible need
to relocate a baseball field.
SITE 5: COMMUNITY CENTER / Wojtowicz Skate Park
Though not requested by the Scandia Heritage Alliance Board, I did look at the possibility
of locating the Tower Barn on the corner of Olinda and 209th Street, a rather prominent
location that would certainly enable good visibility, and would place the tower below its
former location. In addition, this location has excellent access to Gammelgården , and
also has the advantage of a large parking lot and potential for shared utilities with the
Community Center. However, I determined this is not the optimal site due to the fact that
it is currently home to significant improvements, including a permanent ice hockey rink, a
warming house, and a pleasure skating rink, all of which presumably would have to be
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
relocated. There is sufficient area to construct an adjacent Arts Center and there could be
sufficient room to locate a small amphitheater, however this would limit the City’s ability to
expand the Community Center in the future, a factor that should be retained given the
potential long-term growth of Scandia.
COMPARATIVE SITE ANALYSIS CHART
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Lions Park • Historic synergy with Hay
Lake School, Swedish
Monument
• Sufficient area to develop
• Supported by Lions
• Could support a relocated
softball field here for no net
loss of field space by having
the Water Tower located
elsewhere
• Distance from O & O intersection -
- 3 miles away from the Scandia
Commons and the Village Center
• Loss of some open neighborhood
recreational space
• Not connected to Gateway Trail
• Distant from Gammelgården
• May not qualify for historic
designation (distance issue)
Fire Hall • Best connection to future
Gateway Trail
• Fire station could become
arts center (adaptive re-use)
• Close proximity to Community
center area.
• Close proximity to Village
Center
• Loss of real estate asset (if tower
barn is placed facing street)
• Rear lot if existing building is
saved makes tower much less
visible as a historic asset
• Loss of use for Lions and Boy
Scouts
• Possible incompatible adjacency
with Meister’s (noise, parking)
• Close proximity to residential
homes
• Limited parking
Oakhill T-Ball
Field
• Close proximity to community
center area (via trail)
• Close proximity to Village
Center
• Topographical issues with single
vehicular access
• Tower Barn would be well below
street grade
• Close proximity to residential
homes
South Commons • Close proximity to community
center area (via trail)
• Close proximity to Gammel-
gården via a new trail and
crossing
• Close proximity to Village
Center
• Excellent visibility of tower
from all directions
• Screened by tall hill from the
south – good “backdrop”
• Ideal scenic landscape for an
amphitheater
• Substantially surrounded by
wetlands (mosquito issue?)
• Possible relocation of ballfield
• Some woodland “thinning”
required to view site
• Fill will be required for
amphitheater berm (but could be
drainfield?)
• Due to adjacent wetland, need to
verify if soils are compatible for
building.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
• Site includes forested buffer
from residential homes
• Room for parking – and close
proximity to Community
Center for overflow parking
Skate Park • Best location for tower barn
visibility and proximity to O+O
intersection.
• Shared parking with existing
community center facility
• Potential for shared utility
connection
• Best location for connection
to Gateway Trail and
Gammelgården
• Clusters all community-type
facilities in one location
• Close proximity to Village
Center
• Would displace skate park, which
would involve considerable
expense to relocate elsewhere in
city (will not fit elsewhere in
commons area except in T-Ball
field)
• Challenging to get amphitheater,
arts center, tower barn and allow
for community center expansion
within the space provided.
RECOMMENDATION
Given the variety of factors at play with this evaluation, I recommend the South
Commons as the best possible option because this site
• Enables the Water Tower Barn to be visible to the public
• Can host the Arts/Visitor Center and an amphitheater in one location
• Retains suitable access to the Scandia Community Center and Gammelgården
• Retains adequate access to the future Gateway Trail via the Community Center
• Maintains adequate distance from residential properties that may be affected by
public use.
• Is located in close proximity and on the same street as the original Water Tower
Barn site
• Has an ideal topography and scenic landscape for an amphitheater
With this recommendation, two issues should first be resolved, namely:
• Determine the suitability of the soils for building support, stormwater management
and septic system installation
• Assess the current status and possible relocation of the existing ballfield. Its
present condition suggests it is not well utilized (perhaps in favor of other, newer
facilities) and it is barely identified in the Park Plan
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
Scandia Arts and Heritage Center Development Proposal
Given this recommendation, and assuming the soils are adequate or reasonably
correctable to support a structure, let’s examine the development potential for this site.
Following is a summary of the details for the conceptual redevelopment. Please see
Exhibit A for the overall development plan.
Water Tower Barn Position (#1)
Ideally, the barn should be located immediately east of the entrance to the site,
perpendicular to the roadway curvature. This provides the best visibility with a clear line
of sight from Olinda travelling north, and from the hill descending Olinda travelling south.
One condition precedent to host good visibility is a careful thinning of the existing
woodland edge of the wetlands both southwest and north of the barn. Existing vegetation
is primarily poplar with some young oak and appears capable of being thinned to open
the vistas.
Suggested pruning (blue “X”) to see Tower Barn, screen parking (green)
Selective thinning of poplar grove to see Water Tower Barn location (blue)
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
The barn can primarily host only public events on the main level, totaling approximately
1,500 SF, likely as an open meeting or gallery type space. The upstairs cannot be made
public unless it is handicap accessible, and the cost as well as obtaining compliance with
Code for exiting make this challenging except for private office or storage type functions.
Amphitheater (#2)
Clearly, this is potentially the largest element of the plan, and to be successful, must be
positioned away from competing noise factors, and ideally oriented in such a way as to
limit late afternoon evening sun from cascading into the audience’s eyes. The proposal
features a circular plaza for free seating at the east edge of which is a raised stage. A
gentle embankment would need to be created from fill (and possibly hosting a portion of
the septic drain field that would incorporate simple terraced type seating. Given the size
of the space I estimate a seating capacity of 160-180 loosely placed seats, plus what is
available on the flat portion and atop the berm. The backdrop to this amphitheater would
be the woods beyond and the wetland to the side. The water tower barn cupola would be
easily visible from the stage. Trees should be considered atop the berm, and possibly
within the seating area, for shade and cover. Access could be from either side of the arc,
and via steps at the center.
Arts/ Visitor Center (#4)
Outside of the viewshed, but visible from the street and the amphitheater would be space
for a 3,500 SF structure, the adequacy or programming of which has not been fully
determined. Shown as a freeform structure, it can either be designed consistent with the
historical Water Tower Barn style, or be re-interpreted into a complementary, but more
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
modern architectural style, perhaps influenced by Swedish design. Ideally, the building
would be highly “transparent,” taking advantage of the views around the site and to the
Water Tower Barn. I do not recommend a connection to the Water Tower Barn, except by
walkways and perhaps a trellis or pergola. The arts/visitor center should stand on its
own.
Parking (#5)
Utilizing the existing curb-cut access, a winding driveway would lead the visitor to a
curved parking area, capable of hosting 26-30 cars. If the budget can afford it, use of
pervious pavement for runoff should be considered, at least on sides toward the
wetlands. Consideration of setbacks from the wetland are also necessary and may affect
total parking or final layout. Recall that substantial additional parking is available at the
Community center lot within walking distance of this center.
Trails, Vistas and Linkages (#6, #7, #8)
One of the more interesting opportunities with this location is the ability to connect the
various parts of the Commons areas together. To maintain this connectivity, I propose a
loop trail starting from a main overlook #6 on this site, cut through the woodlands to the
east, and accessing the Oakhill T-Ball site via a boardwalk cross the south side of the
wetland (#7), then skirting and surmounting a small rise for a viewpoint across the
wetland (#8-B), trailing north to the tennis courts, then west across the south edge off the
community center, to another prime vantage point (#8-A) across the wetland toward the
Water Tower Barn, then circling the northwest and west sides of the wetland along
Olinda, returning to the site.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
8-A: Vista across wetland looking south from Community Center to proposed site
8-B: View from small rise west across wetland
The boardwalk may require special DNR permits, but should not cross the center of the
wetland for two reasons: to preserve an uninterrupted view across the wetland from the
vantage points, and second, to preserve a larger area for wildlife habitat. The other trails
should be wide enough to accommodate walkers and bicyclists, as well as be
substantially handicap accessible.
The final critical link for this site is across Olinda to Gammelgården. Safety is a prime
concern around this location. A trail separate from the edge of Olinda, and behind a
guard rail (due to the slight curve) can round north from our curb cut to 209th Street to
cross, taking into account the relatively good sight line distances. It is recommended that
a pedestrian signal and marked crosswalk be installed at the crossing, likely requiring a
county permit.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
Proposed crossing location to Gammelgården from drive cut, looking north on Olinda
Other Potential Amenities (#9)
An additional amenity could be considered for this site – an old-fashioned hand crank
water pump to hypothetically “connect” the water to the tower.
THE QUESTION OF THE BALLFIELD
The recommended site has ballfield #4, identified within the 2005 Park Plan as suitable
for Youth Softball. The condition of this particular field is less than perfect, and is not
even identified the same way the youth T-Ball fields are on the park maps. It is possible
that the field is not needed given present and planned inventory. However, I recognize
that field space is hard to give up, and therefore have examined other possible locations
where this field could feasibly be reestablished.
Lions Park
The same sized field can be accommodated at this location where no field presently
exists. If considered for this location, I would recommend reconsidering the perimeter
fence such that when the ball field is not in use, the outfield is more accessible for other
activities and games. Again, this is a possible replacement location dependent on the
overall recreational needs of the community.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
Barton Johnson Park
Just north of Gammelgarden, this semi-public facility already has a very small ballfield
that appears unused, but the size of which is sufficient to host the same sized field.
T-Ball Field Expansion
In order to better concentrate ball fields within the Commons boundaries, additional land
acquisition could be considered. 14823 Oakhill could become part of a long-term
strategy to expand the commons to its most logical boundaries. This particular site,
adjacent to the T-Ball field, enjoys a unique topography that could not only accommodate
parking adjacent the street, but has a west facing slope ideal for spectators. This parcel,
plus the triangular parcel just to the north would easily accommodate an identical sized
field that is well connected to the playground and other Community Center amenities.
Further, this location is also well positioned diagonally across from Meister’s, where the
connection of adult and youth events to this type of establishment is nearly always a
positive. However, this is dependent upon sale of the land, and would require some
construction costs in site development to make it work. With the addition of a third T-Ball
or young youth field, this would create a baseball/softball centric park theme, and would
improve access of the Gateway Trail link to the community center along a newly created
pathway system.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY OF SCANDIA TO CONSIDER
(not part of the Scandia Heritage Alliance plan)
As an architect and planning professional, I could not help but take a longer-range view
and think outside of the box on behalf of the City of Scandia. Therefore, while examining
the site alternatives, I identified the following potential opportunity:
Acquire all parcels within the Commons
Scandia will likely not get smaller, and the Community Center can only get more vibrant
and important as a community asset such that all the parcels bounded by Oakhill be
acquired over time (right of first refusal). The analogy is to consider the community center
“Commons” as the town square. Eliminating existing structures and opening up the
views to the commons along the roadways will only increase the appeal and vitality. One
could even consider higher density residential/commercial along the east and north
frontages of Oakhill that then have the Commons as a walkable asset. This also brings
the Gateway Trail most directly into the Commons. This includes 14823, 14811 (both
single family residential) and 14791 (commercial) Oakhill Rd.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
NEXT STEP(S)
In order to determine feasibility of this plan, the next steps, in order, should be:
1. Order a soil test to determine buildability, storm water management capability, and septic
system capability. If all are acceptable, then:
2. Have the wetlands classified and delineated, and a survey of the property created
3. Explore environmentally viable alternatives to protecting the south wetland within a 75’
setback, with the aim of reducing the setback, if possible
4. Complete a more precise master plan of the site that can be used for planning and
fundraising.
CONCLUSION
The City of Scandia has a unique opportunity to blend its history and heritage into a
community asset by thinking ahead to the potential of existing sites best suited for the
variety of community activities anticipated in the future. Heritage is important, and
heritage matters to the present and future generations. It’s preservation and display
keeps it alive for future generations to enjoy, if carefully planned and implemented.
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Rylaur, LLC 14 Pheasant Lane North Oaks, MN 55127-2512 612-868-3636
DISCLOSURES
Peter Hilger is donating his time and professional expertise to the Scandia Heritage
Alliance, and has received no remuneration for this report. The opinions expressed are
his own based upon the criteria given. Site design schematics are very rough
representations and in no way should be considered absolute. Any conceptual design
would need engineering based verification, which I can help guide.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Master Plan Concept