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9.b Version3_SHA_City Proposal slidesThe Water Tower Barn SCANDIA ARTS & HERITAGE CENTER Proposal to the City of Scandia By the Scandia Heritage Alliance Scandia Heritage Alliance (SHA) •Board: Susan Rodsjo (President), Leila Denecke, John Herman, Christine Maefsky, Sarah Porubcansky, Pam Smith •Metro State Capstone Student, Public & Nonprofit Administration: Kelly Knapp Who are we? 2016 SHA was initiated March 2018 SHA was Incorporated March 2019 SHA’s 501(c)(3) status is approved •Advocate for preservation and renovation of historic structures and landscapes •Educate the community about our cultural heritage •Promote arts and culture •Foster appreciation for our history and cultural heritage: •First Swedish immigrants •Ties to St. Croix River •Early center of immigrant agriculture and mercantile business Scandia Heritage Alliance Mission A site to celebrate the arts & 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. The Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts & Heritage Center The Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts & Heritage Center Proposed Location: “South Community Commons” Presentation Overview Susan Rodsjo, SHA Board President •Proposed location •Future vision for Scandia •Scandia’s current assets John Herman, Esq., SHA Board Member •How to make community arts & heritage amenities a reality Peter Hilger, AIA –Architect •Report on site assessments and draft site plan Susan Rodsjo, SHA Board President •Project Phases •Request to City Council •Why this project? Vision for Scandia and our current assets Susan Rodsjo, SHA Board President Vision for Scandia •Our Comprehensive Plan – 4 overarching goals •SHA Support •Scandia will grow –how? •Establishing a “Sense of Place” – Community Character Vision: Community Character IS THIS A TOWN YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT –or CALL HOME?? Vision: Community Character The Goal: Change that preserves and reinforces our rural character and enhances the livability of our community Scandia, MN Population approx. 4,000 Scandia Gammelgården Museum Scandia Historic sites Scandia Historic Mercantile Scandia –Historic churches and cemetery Nuts and bolts: How to make community arts & heritage amenities a reality John Herman, Esq., Herman Real Estate Advisors Scandia’s attributes 45 minutes from both downtowns Unspoiled rural character Unique historical offerings Extraordinary outdoor recreation Beyond sewer extension boundary for 4-5 decades –limits density 2019 legislative success: Changing state law to allow for earlier development of Gateway Trail The Goal: Change that preserves and reinforces our rural character and enhances the livability of our community Why haven’t we seen more cultural and recreational development, downtown vitality, tourism services, and B&Bs? How can a small city make things happen? LEARN FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES The Goal: Change that preserves and reinforces our rural character and enhances the livability of our community So… Learning from other cities Lanesboro, MN –population 732 A largely vacant downtown & declining population in the 1970s Root River Trail built in early 1980s Now --a regional tourist draw with a revitalized downtown, community playhouse, multiple restaurants & shops, over 30 B&Bs, & a community art center Small city in Otter Tail County Once a declining population and no identity Now -An art and cultural center and Finnish farm museum has made it a destination Learning from other cities: New York Mills, MN –population 1,224 Tools to make it happen Grant programs balance funding between large & small cities Regional collar cities are consistent grant funding recipients Land contribution can count as a city funding match Private funding sources exist Public funding typically competitive. Here are examples: Funding Options Metropolitan Council Livable Communities for local placemaking, such as connectivity, streetscaping, community gathering places, $100-$500,000 Land and Water Conservation funding for local parks, recently reauthorized by Congress Legacy Funding –Minnesota Grants for the arts and for historical preservation and interpretation –a few thousand for planning to over $100,000 for restoration Local foundations, such as the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation focusing on the St. Croix River Valley Funding Options Community Innovation Grants –e.g., Bush Foundation National Endowment for the Arts grants Special state legislative appropriations: •Trail funding line item (bonding or general fund) to provide key linkages in the City •State Bonding for historical redevelopment costs Architect’s Report & Recommendations Peter Hilger, AIA A. Peter Hilger, AIA -Architect Faculty Director, U of M College of Continuing and Professional Studies, Construction and Facility Management Program, April 2011-Present Principal, Rylaur LLC, 2006 –Present 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: Included restoring historic Creamery and preparing a wide-ranging Park and Recreation master plan for the North Oaks Homeowners’ Association Possible Sites: Lion’s Park at Hay Lake Pros: Adequate Space for Water Tower Barn & near existing historic assets Cons: Long distance to village center, dimensions and location are better suited for T-ball, U12 soccer, or lacrosse, could better serve a recreational need Possible Sites: Old Fire Hall Pros: Connection to future Gateway Trail, adaptive re-use of building as the arts center, proximity to Community Center Cons: Loss of real estate asset for other uses, proximity to Meister’s and residential area (noise, parking), views of Water Tower Barn would be blocked by the old Fire Hall in front Possible Sites: Oakhill T-Ball Field Pros: Close to Community Center (via trail) Cons: Elevation issues causing poor visibility of historic building, close proximity to adjacent residences (if used for amphitheater site). Possible Sites: Community Center Pros: Proximity to Community Center and parking, best views of tower, access to Gammelgården Cons: Relocation of skating rink and warming house (expense), limits potential expansion of Community Center, hard to place all assets of the project within this area Possible Sites: South Olinda Ballfield – “South Commons” Pros: Proximity to Community Center and Gammelgården, excellent visibility of tower from all angles, ideal landscape for amphitheater, screened by tall hill, natural beauty Cons: Possible need to relocate baseball field, surrounded by wetlands (mosquitos?), some woodland thinning needed, need to test soils South Commons: The Ideal Site Visibility of Tower One location for barn and amphitheater Access to the Scandia Community Center & Gammelgården Access to the future Gateway Trail Adequate distance and screening from residential properties Close proximity and same street as original barn site ideal topography and scenic landscape for an amphitheater Issues to Resolve First Potential relocation of ballfield Soil testing to determine if location is suitable for: Building support Storm-water management Septic system installation Proposed Site Plan Site Proposal: Water Tower Barn (#1) Site Proposal: Water Tower Barn (#1) Site Proposal: Amphitheater (#2) & Berm (#3) Site Proposal: Arts & Visitor Center (#4) Site Proposal: Parking (#5) •Utilize existing curb-cut access •Wind driveway to a curved parking area •Accommodate 26-30 cars •Consider pervious pavement for runoff •Consider setbacks from the wetland --may affect final layout. •Additional parking available at the Community center Site Proposal: Trails, Vistas and Linkages (#6, #7, #8) Site Proposal: Sidewalk and Crosswalk to Gammelgården Site Proposal: Other Amenities to Consider Ballfield Options Lion’s Park Barton Johnson Park T-ball Field Expansion Next Steps To determine feasibility, the next steps in order: 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. Phases Susan Rodsjo, SHA Board President Phase 1 •Soil testing •Architectural and site planning •Fundraising •Build Amphitheater – PRC funding? Phase 2 •Raise the historic water tower barn Phase 3 •Construct new building to serve as the Arts & Heritage Center / Welcome Center PHASES Request to the City of Scandia Request to City of Scandia 50-year lease on property @ $1/year Commitment followed by lease as soon as can be drafted (ability to demonstrate site control to funders and begin feasibility tests) Agree to submit State Bond Finance Request for 2021/22 (MN Statute 16A.695) Period of 5 years to initiate project •1 year: Investigate and determine site viability (soil testing, site survey and final site plan, preliminary architectural design) •5 years: Demonstrate fundraising for initial restoration of Water Tower Barn and submit business plan for operational independence Ballfield to remain intact for at least 1 year No City funding or operating assistance requested. Land lease value can be a match for fundraising purposes. How Will this Project Benefit Scandia? The Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts & Heritage Center located at the South Commons area: •Promotes Scandia arts, culture, and history •Restores and protects part of our history --a historic Scandia building •Protects and enhances a scenic landscape •Provides a gathering place for the community •Preserves and reinforces our rural character •Enhances the livability of our community •Enhances tourism SPECIAL THANK YOU Special thanks to Peter Hilger for pro-bono work to assess sites, provide a report, and create a preliminary site plan THANK YOU Thank you to the City Council for your consideration of this important project! DELETED SLIDES Slides removed from main deck Project Objectives Pride in the history of Scandia and its Swedish heritage Value in the arts and cultural heritage Value in the broad recreational opportunities within the community Desire to maintain the rural character of the community, but also maintain a vital and 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 Program Requirements Visible site for raising the Water Tower Barn Perpendicular to street for historic context Co-located with a small amphitheater, indoor/outdoor community space, arts and history exhibit space, and/or interpretive space for the history of Scandia and the Water Tower Barn Connection to “community centric” spaces