Agenda - Council - 03/23/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 7. 1. Meeting Date: 03/23/2021 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan Purpose/Background: This case is to acknowledge the Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan as an update to The COR Design Guidelines and Framework. (This first, new 2021 Center Street framework and plan, only for the Downtown District portion of this second established planning document, The COR Design Guidelines and Framework approved in 2012.) Approval of this update and addition to The COR Design Guidelines and Framework (the second attachment below), does not approve any single project, nor does it obligate the City to any specific detail with respect to any future improvement or project. These design guides and framework plans are however, valuable planning tools that allow developers, residents and stakeholder's in Ramsey's downtown to envision the cityscape they would be investing in. The Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan (the first attachment below) details streetscapes, future stormwater elements (water reuse), sidewalks, aspects of Municipal Plaza, the Regional Trail and other pedestrian elements/walkability. The plan also describes facade and area improvements to Pump house #3. The Park & Recreation Commission acknowledged the Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan at their November 2020 regular meeting; the Planning Commission on January 7th, 2021, EDA on January 14, and the Environmental Policy Board on January 25th 2021. As indicated, the purpose of this case is to establish the Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan as an update to The COR Guidelines and Framework, so as to inform planning activity for several interrelated projects around Center Street some of which having timelines that require or allow the work to commence soon (separately from this case). A summary of these projects (and a brief description of the interrelatedness) is as follows: Center Street sidewalk(s) in front of the Sapphire Apartments The City has the obligation to construct the Center Street public sidewalk/streetscape improvements for a city -lead construction project. The developer has the Sapphire apartment building substantially complete and ready for these improvements. The specific design work for matching the public realm (sidewalk and streetscape) to the adjoining and parallel private sidewalk and building is underway, and should be constructed in the Spring of 2021. Center Street Streetscape/Trail (west side) near the interface of the Affinity at Ramsey Senior Apartments and Municipal Plaza: East of the Affinity building is a narrow area of park, south of a new segment of Ramsey Parkway. This is also the