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Minutes Main St 8 6 01 Session700 Locust St. Suite 942 RO. Box 509 Dubuque, lA 52001 319 583-9131 Fax: 319 557-9078 ww'~v, durrant.com A Part of The Durrant Group Inc. Architecture Engineering Construction Management Planning interiors Austin, TX Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO Des Moines, IA Dubuque, IA Eau Claire, WI Madison, WI Minneapolis, MN Phoenix, AZ Sacramento, CA San Antonio, TX St. Charles, iL St. Louis, MO Vancouver, S.C. Durrant MEETING NOTES 01386.00 August 6, 2001 PROJECT: Town Clock Plaza Opening Main Street from 5th to 9th City of Dubuque, Iowa PARTCIPANTS: Mayor Terry Duggan John Markham Cindy Steinhauser Kevin Eippede Mike Van Milligen Roy Buol Pat Cline Ann Michalski Dan Nicholson Joe Robbins Jeanne Schneider Barry Lindahl Mike Koch Chris Wand Pat Norton DISCUSSION: The purpose of the meeting was to review the design development level plans and receive direction from the council. Mike Koch reviewed the design process leading up to the work session. Mike Koch explained the basics of the design approach. Mike Koch discussed the schedule, indicating that plans will be issued for bid in November with bids received and contracts awarded in December. Mike Koch introduced Kevin Eipperle of Durrant. Kevin Eipperle presented the proposed plans. Specific points made: a. Plans now show existing building entrances based on the survey information. b. Three basicpremises. L Two-way traffic. ii. Parking on both sides of the street tailored to property owners. iii. Town Clock to stay in its current location. Additiona} gate kiosks added at 6th and 9th Streets. Amenities: i. Rhythm of light poles, trees, waste receptacles, benches, etc. in an effort to recreate the feet of Main Street. ii. Aluminum tree grates with bdck pavers as were installed on 5~h to prevent tripping hazards and for a cleaner appearance. iii. Ornamental railings similar to those at 3"~ and Main. They are nicely designed and their use here would create continuity along the street: it was noted that these are also similar to some of the railings in the odginal library building. iv. Use of limestone at the bases of the gate kiosks and planters as a way to introduce this matedal native to the area into the project. Kevin discussed the results of the public meetings of August 2. a. The only main alteration as a result of those meetings was the conversion of the parking spaces in front of American Trust from metered to drop-off. Kevin discussed the variables that would influence the overall design as well as the project cost. Meeting Notes August 6, 2001 01386.00 a. Paving for the sidewalks curbs and street: i. Brick Pavers. ii. Historic Brick Pavers. iii. Colored Concrete. iv. Standard Concrete. v. Stamped Concrete. b. Base of the Town Clock: i. Paving Materials. ii. Size. iii. Existing versus similarly sized new. Kevin discussed the area around the Town Clock, indicating how the current oval shaped scheme provides room at the Tdlog and NICC buildings (10 to 12-feet and 15-feet respectively) and prevents people from being ab!e to easily make U-turns or drive completely around the clock. Pat Cline asked about the comparison between the oval at the clock as shown and the roundabouts on Washington Street. Both Mike and Kevin indicated that the oval would be much more maneuverable. 10. 11. Ann Michalski said she likes the use of regular concrete for the drive lanes of the street, thereby accenting the other areas. Joe Robbins expressed concern about the intersection at 8th and Main. He felt it appeared uncontrolled. Kevin indicated that stop signs would be installed to stop the traffic on 8t~ while allowing traffic on Main to flow freely. He suggested that, as an exampte, the council look at the intersections as they were constructed for 8th Street. He pointed out that the colored concrete in the street actually helps to denote where the crosswalks are and serve as a traffic calmer. 12. Pat Cline asked about the cost difference between colored and standard concrete. a. Kevin indicated that the cost is about double for colored. b. Mike Koch confirmed that the cost for the concrete at the River's Edge Plaza was more than double that of standard concrete. 13. Ann Michalski asked about the diagonal parking in front of Graham's. She questioned whether it would be a hazard. Mike Koch stated that with the Iow volume and speed of the traffic as envisioned on this street, he did not see the diagonal parking as a big concern. He indicated that if it became a problem in the future, that the diagonal parking could be eliminated and parallel stalls put in its place. 14. Ann Michalski commented that she liked the amenity example photos as provided in the council packet and the inclusion of existing elements in the plans. She stated that she likes the area at 3~ and Main. Meeting Notes August6,2001 01386.00 15. John Markham asked about how a light rail system might impact the design. a. Kevin commented that sections of the paving would need to be removed if a light rail system was to be installed in the future but that it could be accommodated. He also stated that the radius of the oval under the clock should be okay for it as well. 16. Roy a. Buol asked about curbing in the area of the Town Clock. Kevin indicated that there would be a standard curb around the oval. At the outside of the area, the curb would be slight or eliminated and that it would most likely be of a different color and texture to the street. He commented that bollards would be used as a way to control traffic. 17. Ann Michalski asked about snow removal in the area around the Town Clock. a. Kevin commented that the reduced curb to the outside would allow snow to be stockpiled as it currently is in the festival area. 18. Mike Koch explained the limits of the project; reiterating that the area on 7~h Street is not included in this phase. 19. Roy Buol commented that he likes the design elements and the use of standard concrete in the street. 20. Ann Michalski asked if these elements and amenities could be used in other areas of downtown, especially north and south along Main Street. a. Mike Koch indicated that, yes, these themes could be continued though some minor variations may occur from block to block. He commented that the street right-of-ways are pretty consistent, lending itself to the continuation of this theme. 21. 22. Dan Nicholson asked about the boltards. a. Kevin pointed them out on the large plan, explaining that the bollards around the clock within the oval would be lighted, the remainder would be unlighted. John Markham raised the issue of relocating the Town Clock. a. Pat Cline said it should stay where it is, that it gives the downtown an identity and makes us different than other cities. She commented that the design of the area around the c~ock was beautiful. b. Mayor Duggan commented that moving the clock took the "heart" out of this project. c. John Markham agreed with Mayor Duggan's statement. d. Ann Michalski indicated that she had received 20 phone calls regarding the Town Clock: 13 in favor of leaving it in place, 7 in favor of moving it because it was more historically accurate. She commented that all of the calls were very positive in nature and the arguments for both sides were intelligently presented. Meeting Notes August 6, 2001 01386.00 Joe Robbins pointed out that a fund raising effort was undertaken to pay for the relocation when it was originally moved in 1971. 23. 24. 25. Mayor Duggan summarized the discussion to this point. He stated that it seemed there was consensus for the standard concrete in the street, the buff colored sidewalk and red pavers or stamped concrete around the amenities. Ann Michalski pointed out that ADA compatibility was very important to her and that whatever surfaces were used needed to be easily traversed by people with disabilities. Dan NichOlson expressed a preference for colored concrete over the brick pavers and asked about maintenance. Kevin commented that the brick would be easier to repair if damage occurs. He stated that colored concrete when damaged requires removal and new concrete which would be difficult to match to the old. He pointed out that brick pavers can be individually removed when broken and entire sections can be removed and reinstalled when ground heaving causes uneven surfaces. 26. 27. Mike Van Milligen commented that maintenance staff has indicated that stamped concrete is easier to maintain and therefore preferred. Ann Michalsid asked what would happen to the Continuum sculpture. a. Mike Van Milligen stated that it is being removed as a part of this project, that it would not be reinstalled in this general area and that a suitable location had not yet been chosen for it. 28. 29. Mike Koch stated that if the Town Clock is relocated, that another piece of public art might need to take its place as a focal point on the street and as a backdrop for festivals. Mayor Duggan reiterated the question as to whether the Town Clock should stay or go and asked whether the decision needed to be made at that time. a. Mike Van Milligen stated that the decision can wait as long as it does not cause a standstill in the plaza design process. b. Kevin indicated that a one or two week delay in making that decision would not delay the project. 30. John Markham asked if the clock pedestal is in good condition or if it will require major repair. He also inquired as to what the costs to the City might be to repair or replace the pedestal as compared to moving the clock. a. Mike Koch commented that the clock pedestal does have some spalling concrete and cracks but that it is repairable. b. Mike Koch and Kevin made the following points: i. The cost would depend on fundraising efforts, successful grant applications, etc. ii. The demolition and removal of the existing pedestal and base would be approximately $20,000. Meeting Notes August 6, 2001 01386.00 iii. The cost would be the same for the oval design as presented and a straight street as the amount of specialized paving would remain about the same. iv. A repaired clock pedestal may appear patched though precautions could be undertaken, such as requiring mock-ups ahead of time, which would ensure the best match possible. 31. Mayor Duggan concluded the meeting by thanking the design team and Ci~7 Staff and deferring a decision on the relocation of the Town Clock until the regular council meeting to follow. The preceding constitutes our interpretation of matters discussed and decisions reached. Please contact the undersigned for any omissions or discrepancies. Project Architect CC; T. Duggan M. Van Milligen R. Buol P. Cline J. Markham A. Michalski D. Nicholson J. Robbins C. Steinhauser J. Schneider B. Lindahl M. Koch K. Eipperle P. Norton D. Waugh L. Hawks A. Holm E. Reiss :mk. p:\projects\01\01386.00\wp~ntg\design\city coucil work session 8.6.01.doc