Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/08/2007

Home

CASE # CONCEPT PLANNING FOR MUNICIPAL PROPERTY WEST OF SUNFISH LAKE By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor Background: The purpose of this case is to initiate concept planning for the City owned land west of Sunfish Lake. As the Park and Recreation Commission may recall, $30,000 is proposed within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to provide for planning expenses relating to this significant site. The funding source would be the Park Trust Fund. Observations: The area west of Sunfish Lake has been proposed for park purposes for almost two decades, as one of the few lake accesses potentially available to Ramsey residents. Several years ago, the City acquired this property as part of an industrial land purchase (south of Sunwood Drive between Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard). As a point of information, the $30,000 CIP project allocation represents a cost estimate that may go beyond concept planning to perhaps include some construction drawings and other tasks not included in the attached Request for Proposal (RFP). Also attached is the CIP worksheets, that include a brief description of the project scope and site. As indicated, the RFP is recommending concept planning for all municipal property adjacent to the lake. But in addition, also looking to the future development potentials in the immediate vicinity so as to best project and site, needed park elements; as well as other public improvements (such as utilities and accesses) relating to the park -with adjacent land uses. Enclosed is a site map that indicates the City owned land in black, and the general `study area' in crosshatched lines. The Commission and Council did embark on this planning process in late 2002-03, but all of the planning and activity involved with the Town Center essentially overshadowed this project. It seems prudent to return to this endeavor at this time which works well with the 2008 CIP planning later this year, as well as the Comprehensive Plan process began by the Planning Commission and City Council. Recommendation: Staff recommends review of the RFP for appropriateness, with a subsequent recommendation that City Council approve the 2007 CIP project to receive proposals for the park planning project.