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08.b1a Arts Heritage Ctr Plans_October2021 council mtgWater Tower Barn SCANDIA ARTS & HERITAGE CENTER: Scandia Heritage Alliance 1 Scandia Heritage Alliance (SHA) Mission: To make Scandia a uniquely interesting and vibrant place to live in and visit by preserving and celebrating our rich history, culture, arts, and rural character.e.org Thank you from Scandia Heritage Alliance. Our mission is to make Scandia a uniquely interesting and vibrant place to live in and visit by preserving and celebrating our rich history, culture, arts and rural character. This is our primary project as it fits so perfectly with our mission. We look forward to seeing you at the Water Tower Barn. 2 A regional center celebrating the arts, history, and cultural heritage of Scandia -- and preserving what may be the state’s only remaining tankhouse. A joint project of Scandia Heritage Alliance and the City of Scandia. The Water Tower Barn: Scandia Arts & Heritage Center 3 Restored Water Tower Barn, Plaza, and Water Play Feature The Water Tower Barn Arts & Heritage Center pivots around the restored historic Water Tower Barn – an iconic structure that played an important role in Scandia’s early 20th Century economy. It was built in about 1895 by the Scandia Mercantile owner -- Frank Lake -- to provide water to the local businesses and residents. It also housed horses and a wagon that travelled to the railroad station in Copas to pick up goods for the Mercantile. 4 When the building’s former owner -- Hilltop Water Company -- decided to tear it down, we worked with them to hire a BARN RESTORATION COMPANY to carefully dismantle the structure and mark it for future reconstruction. 5 We believe the building may be the state’s only remaining tankhouse, and we are working closely with the State Historic Preservation Office to seek placement on the National Register of Historic Places. 6 Working Historic Windmill and Water Pump We plan to recreate – AND DEMONSTRATE - the operational tankhouse. This includes showcasing the elevated wood water tank, a working windmill, and an old-fashioned hand water pump where visitors will fill their water bottles. 7 In March, we received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to research the original tankhouse History, Engineering and Distinctive Design – the first step towards developing construction plans for placement on the National Register. Fundraising is well underway: This spring/summer, we received a $100,000 capital grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, a $2,500 grant from Midco Foundation, a $20,000 contribution from an individual donor, and several individual contributions ranging from $500 to $2,000. Our fall fundraising event at Redeemed Farm raised over $8,000. Per our Redevelopment agreement with the City, Ken applied to the State Legislature for a State Bond Financing grant of $1.5 million, and SHA recently applied for a large capital grant from the Hardenbergh Foundation. 8 Plans for the Center continue to develop. Through museum displays, we will tell the story of Scandia's evolution from Native American lands, to home of the state’s first Swedish immigrants, to agrarian farm community, to a small center of commerce. Another topic of interest is logging – with early immigrants earning winter wages at logging camps in northern Minnesota as evidenced by photos at the Elim Church Archives and historic diaries. And of course, we look forward to sharing the story of our most famous resident, Walter Mondale, and his role in passing clean water legislation and in designating the St. Croix River as a National Scenic Riverway. 9 A Dakota settlement – from “Time and the River: A History of the Saint Croix” from the National Park Service. Prior to the arrival of the first Swedish immigrants, Scandia was home to Dakota and Ojibwe Nations. SHA aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the culture and stories of Indigenous Peoples from the St. Croix River Valley. We seek to partner with tribal organizations, the Mille Lacs Indian Museum, and the Science Museum of Minnesota to share history and stories as part of our Scandia History Series. 10 Partnership with Gammelgården Museum Gammelgården Museum honors Swedish immigrant history dating from the 1850s Arts & Heritage Center complements Gammelgården Museum – The Water Tower Barn history represents commercial development starting around 1895 – the next phase in the Scandia story. Partnering with Gammelgården Museum: The two venues envision a synergistic partnership and are already planning joint events. We are a perfect location for tourism -- given our close-proximity to the Twin Cities and regional attractions like William O’Brien State Park, the Gateway Bike Trail, and the St. Croix River. The National Park Service is seeking to designate the St. Croix River Valley as a National Heritage Area, which is expected to increase tourism. 11 In addition to a museum, the barn will also serve as an event center, seating 60-80 people for small music, theater and film productions. 12 and we also envision holding art shows, art classes, youth day camps focused on the arts and environment; and joint events with other local cultural organizations such as the Marine Community Library, Gammelgarden Museum, and the Art Barn in Osceola. 13 Amphitheater The outdoor amphitheater will seat a maximum of 260 people (typical seating closer to 150) for music, theater, and film productions. No nearby communities in the St. Croix Valley have an amphitheater – so we foresee this as regional asset for the Valley and the Twin Cities. 14 Design Explorations Stone wall around the stage provides a natural feel Handicap path Hard surface path for transporting performance equipment Concrete stairs and railing Defined seating levels – 18-inch height to allow chairs during formal events It will also be a perfect place for our youth Park and Rec theater classes in the summer, and it will serve as a beautiful gathering place for residents and visitors. 15 Water Play Feature - example A water play feature will be an attraction for local families – as well as those visiting William O’Brien State Park. The Gateway Trail will soon connect downtown Scandia to William O’Brien, and we will be a short bike ride away. 16 The Arts & Heritage Center sits between three wetlands … 17 Wetland Interpretive Trail Our Plan includes a wetland interpretive trail … 18 Wetland Interpretive Trail around and across the wetland 19 Wetland Overlook and Rain Gardens as well as a wetland overlook -- and rain gardens for protection of the wetlands. 20 Wetland Overlook and Interpretive Trails Our water focus will provide an opportunity to educate visitors on the importance and interdependence between our local wetlands, lakes, streams, aquifers, and the St. Croix River – all vital features of our beautiful city. 21 Master Plan Peter Hilger, AIA Rylaur, LLC 22 Location: South Community Commons 23 The Ballfield Replacement Consideration Declining school enrollment makes field obsolete Options for replacement in future present to Park and Rec New use should represent a demographically appropriate use 24 25 26 27 Plaza 28 29 Acoustical Study Impact Rotated almost 30 degrees to reduce neighbor noise impacts Required stage be positioned more into the setback: +379SF = 0.0023% of west yard 30 FUTURE Arts Center – Space Reservation 3,865 SF Flexible space for art classes, art shows, presentations One fixed classroom Gift shop Commercial kitchen Storage Utility Office in loft We are simply planning for the future benefit of the City 31 Variance Analysis Encroachments as currently proposed 32 No Variance Option Shift all within setbacks Amphitheater blares toward neighbor Grading challenges Inadequate public space Arts Center becomes too small for viability 33 Olinda Variance Option Only variance is to Olinda Amphitheater audience facing south – bad for viewing Grading challenges Inadequate public space Arts Center becomes too small for viability 34 Variance Analysis Minimum required to keep project feasible and public space adequate If Olinda variance is “acceptable”, then only 322 SF Building encroaches = 0.008% of east yard 432 of sidewalk encroachment in setback = 1.14% of east yard 472 SF of Observation deck = 1.2% of east yard 645 SF of vegetated yard is returned from present hardpack 645 SF – (322+432) = 109 SF ‘net” = 0.0028% Push observation deck out for better viewing returns 472 SF restored from current hardpack, offsetting each other 35 We have demonstrated good stewardship of the existing land and the historic structure, laid the groundwork for an integrated, compelling design for which we ask only the minimum variance necessary to create a sustainable City asset, and that we more than meet the tests of the ordinance for a variance. We respectfully request your approval 36 The Master Plan - 3D Conceptualization Flyover Video Presentation 37