Title
Depot Park Program - Approval of Depot Park Implementation Documents (B)
This item requests approval of four implementation documents related to the construction of Depot Park, which were approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency on April 19, 2010.
Explanation
Constructing the vision for Depot Park is rapidly falling into place. This agenda item is a summary of the work underway to complete construction plans for Phase 1, a summary of work recently completed concerning Depot Avenue and stormwater recommendations, and a recommendation to approve four important planning documents prior to finalizing the park construction plans. The documents relate to both park improvements and the rehabilitation of the Depot Building:
1. 90% Park Master Plan
2. Park Design and Technical Standards
3. 30% Phase 1 park Design Development drawings
4. 95% Depot Building Rehabilitation Plans
Master Plan: As of March 2010, Carol R. Johnson Associates (CRJA) completed the 90% plan containing the organizing principle and primary features for creating Gainesville's soon-to-be-constructed flagship park. The remaining 10% will allow the CRA and the Public Works Department to finalize some coordination details concerning areas adjacent to the stormwater plan. Throughout the 90% Master Plan runs the theme of sustainability. Developing a sustainable design ethos is approached by first seizing on the 35-acre site's industrial history, railroad legacy, and role in restoring Paynes Prairie. The 90% Master Plan reveals these characteristics in the park design and considerable effort was made to create functional and sustainable features from them. For example, the park's industrial and railroad history provides the two remnant rail corridors that cross the site. These corridors will become new multi-use paths that will connect to existing rails-to-trails. The paths will arc across Depot Park under canopy trees along historic rail alignments in view of the restored Depot Building, where passengers and freight once passed in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the Depot Building, park visitors can explore exhibits on the park's industrial past, which will also engage them in thinking about how that past has created a need for sustainable practices today. A few footsteps from the Depot, children and their caretakers can not only play, but also learn about Florida's water supply at the interactive fountain, which resembles a natural spring ecosystem. Restored wetlands, located further south, are living systems that cleanse stormwater before entering Sweetwater Branch and Paynes Prairie. These wetlands also function as teaching laboratories, highlighting their role as habitat and purification systems. Depot Park will be the first city park intentionally designed from the outset with sustainability as its central design philosophy. With approval of the 90% Depot Park master plan, the CRA will be able to initiate the site plan approval process in May. The CRA approved the Master Plan on April 19, 2010.
The 90% Master Plan development was a partnership consisting of the Public Works Department, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Gainesville Police Department, and Gainesville Fire Rescue.
Abbreviated list of Depot Park features:
Multi-use trail for cycling, walking, and roller blading
Amphitheater for small outdoor performances
Comfort station to provide restroom facilities
Play areas and interactive fountain to stimulate children's play activities
Pond overlooks for quiet view of the ponds
Major and minor gateways with signature sculptural features
Parking area for convenient park access
Trailhead gathering trail users
Lawns for free play
Picnic and grilling areas for family gatherings
Maintenance support facility
Design and Technical Standards: As the City's flagship park, the materials and design techniques envisioned for the park are intended to capture the imagination of park visitors and yet be durable. All the companies whose products are specified are established, reputable businesses selected to ensure manufacturing consistency, long-term customer support and high quality design. Sustainability is represented by the use of low voltage LED lighting with full cut-off, native grasses and wildflowers, and low flow rate irrigation systems, to list some examples. In keeping with the native plant theme, park entrances will be signified with large scale gateway elements symbolizing the native Florida wiregrass, Aristida spicata. Certain benches and waste containers will receive this laser cut design to harmonize with the entrance treatments. Additional measures to further site sustainability include porous pavements, high reflective surfaces, recycled timber, and ACQ treated wood. The CRA approved the final Design and Technical Standards dated February 2010 (received on March 3, 2010) on April 19, 2010.
Examples of Standards:
Concrete walkways with decorative exposed aggregate edging
Contemporary steel benches with decorative backrests symbolizing native wiregrass
Steel trash receptacles with coordinating grass design
LED accent lighting for walkway lighting
Full cut-off parking lot and rail trail lighting
Native plant materials and Florida Friendly landscape practices
30% Design Development Drawings - Phase 1: The CRA approved the concept for the northern part of the park on September 21, 2009. Phase 1 is the northern portion of the park from South Main Street to SE 4th Street and from Depot Avenue to the northern boundary of the Phase 2 stormwater pond. This phase also includes the Depot Park multi-use trail connecting to the Downtown Connector from Depot Avenue. The approval enabled the CRA to pursue construction documents for Phase 1. To date, CRJA has completed 30% Design Development documents for Phase 1, which includes park entrances, a parking area, a children's area, and the Depot Park trail. The children's area is the primary feature and is intended to be a complete play environment embodying boundless design that allows all children, regardless of ability, to participate in play. The fenced children's area will be a short walk from the parking area on SE 4th Street, the Depot Building, and the comfort station. A paved "trikeway" with simulated train tracks loops through the play area, connecting its various features which consist of climbing areas, earthen mounds, slides, different types of swings, and an interactive water feature. A miniature bridge supports the trikeway as the path segues to the interactive water feature. With sustainability in mind, CRJA designed the water feature to mimic a seep, a type of spring, with water flowing from its rock-surfaced sides. Parents will find comfortable seating nearby in order to observe their children. Staff will provide an overview of Phase 1 improvements. The CRA approved the 30% Design Development drawings on April 19, 2010.
Park Features Contained in Phase 1
Zone A - SE 4th Street Gateway and Trailhead with parking
Zone B - Children's Area with fencing, interactive fountain, comfort station and play areas
Zone C - Paths and parklands, picnic tables
Zone D - Promenade surrounding the Phase 2 Pond with benches and lighting
Zone E - Main Street Gateway and lawn
Zone F - Pedestrian Bridge (for multi-use trail)
Zone G - Depot Park multi-use trail connecting to the Downtown Connector
Depot Context Area - Interpretive area, seating and plaza connected to the Depot Building
95% Depot Building Rehabilitation Plans: The building will showcase sustainability and innovation through the re-cycling and adaptive re-use of this historic structure. To support this goal, the building is designed to achieve LEED certification and consistency with Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation. The CRA completed 100% rehabilitation plans for the building and the context area, a plaza-like area around the building to be used for interpretation of the building. Special paving will be embedded in the context area and in a portion of Depot Avenue to signify the most recent position of the building before the planned 2010 relocation 28 feet 6 inches south. Native planting and authentic materials are used throughout the context area design. A wildflower meadow with native grasses will be planted between restored steels rail resting on full-sized, recycled cross ties parallel to the Depot in a design that recalls the acclaimed "Highline" in New York City. The design will create a stunning, natural visual presence as visitors approach the Depot.
The CRA is planning to bid construction by summer 2010. Later this year, the CRA is planning to issue an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the building uses reviewed by the CRA in late-2009 consisting of restaurant, cafe, and museum elements. The museum, café, and restaurant will have thematic ties to the historic use of the building and will inspire people to learn and think about how the actions of past generations affect the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The CRA approved the 95% plans (as 100% plans) on April 19, 2010.
Depot Avenue and Stormwater Design Update:
The CRA partnered with the Public Works Department to coordinate the roadway improvements with the proposed Depot Park master plan. The coordination of the improvements will create a cohesive and attractive public realm adjacent to Depot Park. Some aspects of the design that were enhanced are:
Widening the Depot Avenue bicycle path to 10 feet and re-routing connections to park entrances
Selection and layout of brick paving materials to delineate clear sidewalk and park edges
Specification of pedestrian lighting
Extension of water and sewer service to the park consistent with the Master Plan
Selection and layout of native wildflowers and grasses along the roadway in concert with the park materials
Acquisition of the Canary Island Date Palm at the center of the roundabout from the City tree farm
Depot Avenue Phase 1 is substantially complete (between SE 3rd Street and the east 600 block). The CRA contributed approximately $39,000 for Phase 1 brick sidewalks and $75,000 for pedestrian lights throughout the entire project.
Coordination is continuing for Phase 2 (between South Main Street and SE 3rd Street) incorporating into the construction plans a loading zone for the Depot Building, elements of the historic context area, and extending additional utility service to the park.
Because of their treatment function, the planned stormwater ponds are anticipated to have low water quality. To address this issue, the CRA authorized CRJA to work with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Public Works Department and the CRA with the objective to develop recommendations to ease maintenance, increase water quality, ensure permit compliance, and enhance aesthetics. CRA and Public Works staff have discussed these recommendations and will incorporate elements as funding allows.
Schedule
2010 (Calendar Year)
2nd Quarter - Complete 100% Park Design Development
3rd Quarter - Complete 100% Park Construction Documents
3rd Quarter - Bid Depot Building construction
3rd Quarter - Issue ITN for Depot Building uses
4th Quarter - Move Depot Building back to the Depot Avenue site
4th Quarter - Start Depot rehabilitation
4th Quarter - Bid Phase 1 park construction
2011 (Calendar Year)
1st Quarter - Start park construction
4th Quarter - Complete Phase 1 park improvements and building rehabilitation. Depot Park opens for public use.
In summary, constructing the vision for Depot Park is rapidly falling into place. The park master plan is guiding the construction documents, which are underway. By the end of the year, the site remediation is expected to be finished and the park turned over for development. By the end of 2011, Phase 1 will be completed. The CRA, City departments, and CRJA have created a visionary park design that promises to be of regional importance. It is our hope that people visiting the park will be energized and inspired.
Budget:
The estimated cost for construction of the Phase 1 Park improvements and rehabilitation of the Depot Building is expected to be approximately $5.2 million, not including the Phase 2 stormwater pond. Public Works estimates the Phase 2 pond construction cost will be $3.0 million.
Fiscal Note
Funding for completing construction for Depot Park will be funded through the following sources:
Downtown Trust Fund - $167,000
Department of Transportation Local Agency Program - $627,679
City of Gainesville Bonds - $1,504,569
US Housing and Urban Development Grant - $94,933
US Housing and Urban Development Urban Development Assistance Grant - $1,110,465
Rails to Trails grant - $387,217
Wild Spaces Public Places - $1,000,000
Public Works Department (to be determined) - $300,000
Recommendation
City Manager to the City Commission: Recommend approval of the following documents: 1) the 90% Depot Park Master Plan Graphic dated March 17, 2010; 2) the Depot Park Design and Technical Standards dated February, 2010; 3) the Depot Park Phase 1 30% Design Development plans dated March 26, 2010; and 4) 95% Depot Building Rehabilitation Plans dated April 15, 2010.