Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/25/2016

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Municipal Plaza Housing E .,... staura t/ HoIn ZP etail v ----- + e aau nt J :• � -'`.. District Parking District �\ R R Parking H-H+H11d.1111JIji _-J District Parking Q &Northr�lSM n .C Alternative Plan for Consideration(Jacobson/LHB2015) Simply stated, Municipal Plaza is the single most important Recommendations component of the COR Public Realm Framework It is the place The Municipal Plaza will clearly identify the center of civic life to meet, the orientation point for wayfinding in The COR, and and support a variety of daily activities within The COR. This serves as the gateway to other public amenities and attractions key public PLACE represents a rare opportunity within the City nearby. Sitting at the crossroads of strong civic presence, of Ramsey to encourage vertical mixed-use development, with residential density, transit options and retail storefronts, this restaurants (and future retail stores) fronting the plaza. The location brings together all the elements of innovative and relationship between The CORS Main Street (Sunwood Drive) sustainable city-building. and the Municipal Plaza as completely integrated pieces of the Exploring several possible configurations confirmed the need whole,is critical for the success of this district. to fully integrate uses, amenities and materials with Sunwood When completed as envisioned, the combined presence of Drive(Ramsey's Main Street)while creating a clearly visible and these two public realm components,The Plaza and Main Street, accessible connection between the proposed Mississippi Skyway will create a signature destination, and will leverage additional and Lake Ramsey Commons.This vital`public promenade'along private-sector investment in this area. `Restaurant Row, as part Center Streetprovides the primary north/south armature through of the unique mix of uses within and adjacent to the Municipal The COR and also links a variety of facilities and amenities such plaza,will contribute to the intensity and vibrant street life that as the Regional Park, The Draw, North Commons and other characterize successful placemaking.To realize its full potential at destinations. (See also the document addressing a realigned this location(in contrast to sites along Lake Ramsey)will require Regional Trail through The COR along Center Street, entitled a solid commitment from both public and private participants `Central Anoka County Trail and connection to Mississippi West to integrate these types of ground floor uses within development Regional Park:) projects near the Plaza. For the purposes of defining potential costs for future District parking strategies need to be explored and pursued to construction, a preliminary list of park elements (or a basic address issues related to vehicle movement, convenient access, design program)was discussed including: and to provide maximum benefit/support for mixed-use • Flexible use, paved plaza area to accommodate special development throughout The COR—and this is true for the park events such as Happy Days spaces too. While district parking is likely to begin with centrally • Interactive, decorative, sculptural water feature as a City located surface lots, over time, as new development intensifies, icon these will be converted to structured parking, either as stand- integrated stormwater management and other infrastructure alone facilities (meeting specific design standards) or fully systems integrated within creatively designed development sites close to Formalized planting design representing Minnesota the Plaza.There are many precedent projects,local and national landscapes(lake,prairie,woodland,etc.) variety examples,which illustrate the of options available,from Lighting,furniture,art and other elements to create unique P y P identity and character traditional approaches to the latest advancements in flat floor, flex-use/convertible strategies.