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Town Clock Plaza Main St. OpenCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM March 16, 2001 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Work Session A work session is scheduled for Monday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. (dinner at 5:00 p.m.) on the Town Clock Plaza. Attached are the minutes from the property owners' meeting and the plaza employee meeting. Public Works Director Mike Koch and Kevin Eipperle of Dun'ant will present the design options at the work session. The expectation is that the City Council will narrow the options down to one design that will then be prepared for return on April 16 to compare with the existing closed design concept. Milligen ~-- MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Durrant RO. Box 509 Dubuque, lA 52004-0509 A Part of The Durrant Group Inc. Architecture Engineering Construction Management Planning interiors MEETING NOTES 01073.00 March 7, 2001 PROJECT: Conceptual Design - Town Clock Plaza Opening Main Street from 9~h to 5th City of Dubuque, Iowa PARTCIPANTS: Plaza Employees (see attached list) Mike Koch Dan LoBianco Kevin Eippede Angela Holm DISCUSSION: The purpose of the meeting was to review three options for street development. Kevin Eippede reviewed Durrant~s plans for the redevelopment of Main Street as a street open to vehicular traffic. It was no[ed that the street width shown on Durrant's plans is 24 feet, which is the minimum allowable width for a two-way street. A narrow street helps to slow traffic down and maximize sidewalks for pedestrian use. One employee asked about the length of life for street materials as opposed to the length of life for a redeveloped plaza. MC. Eipperle stated that, if designed properly, a street could last just as long as a pedestrian mall. 4. Some concern was expressed about pedestrian safety in the open street concept. In option A, the Town Clock remains in its current location and traffic flows around its base. Gordy Mills pointed out the advantages of having a curb-less street around the clock in the festival area. Dan LoBianco stated that the Afl That Jazz festival would remain downtown even if Main Street was opened to traffic. The street could simply be closed off for the evening. The question was raised about the quantity of seating that would be provided with the open street concept. Mr. Eipperle said that there would be as much or more seating than is currently available. In addition to the seating that is being proposed on the plaza and along Main Street, Mr. Eipperle will suggest to the council that the green-space between the Cigna and former Trilog buildings be acquired and that more seating be provided in Washington Park. 9. 10. If pedestrian safety is an issue and curbs are undesirable, bollards could be used to define the roadway and protect pedestrians. Noise and traffic fumes are a concern for some employees. Curb bump outs and landscaping elements such as planters with trees and shrubs will help to create a buffer between traffic and pedestrians. Mike Koch said that though the street would be opened to traffic in this concept, it is not intended to be like a typical city street. Instead, it would be Iow traffic, Iow noise, and Iow fumes. Measures such as landscaping, paving changes, curb bump outs and the "rotary" around the Clock will keep traffic Iow. The presence of pedestrians would also tend to deter drivers who wish to drive at higher speeds from using Main Street. Meeting Notes March 7, 2001 01073.00 Page 2 11. 12. The general sentiment seemed to be to keep the Town Clock where it is currently located. Mr. Koch was asked about the schedule for the project. He felt that, depending on how quickly the Council can make a decision; the work for this concept could be completed in one construction season. If they delay their decision, the project could be completed in phases. 13. Mr. Eipperle stated that Durrant's plans could accommodate about 36 new parking spaces along Main Street. The preceding constitutes our interpretation of matters discussed and decisions reached. Please contact the undersigned for any omissions or discrepancies. DURRANT Intern Architect Enclosure OC: M. Koch K. Eippede A. Holm :rnk.p:~projects\01\01073.00\wp~mtg\design\employees 3.7.01.doc M. Van Milligen Durrant RO. Box 509 Dubuque, lA 52004-0509 A Part of The Durrant Group Inc, Architecture Engineering Construction Management Planning Interiors Austin, TX Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO Dubuque, IA Eau Claire, WI MEETING NOTES 01073.00 March 7, 2001 PROJECT: Conceptual Design - Town Clock Plaza Opening Main Street from 9~ to 5th City of Dubuque, Iowa PARTCIPANTS: Property owners (see attached list) Mike Koch Dan LoBianco Kevin Eipperle Angela Holm DISCUSSION: The purpose of the meeting was to review three options for street development. A representative from American Trust stated that it was important to have a drop-off area and handicapped parking spot near the front of their building. In further discussion, it was noted that if the transit hub and busses near their corner were moved to 5t" Street then there would be more room on 9~h for dropping people off. it was also noted that American Trust's basement extends under the sidewalks around their building, making the reconstruction of that area more difficult. Mr. Dick Hartig felt that the curb bump-outs and trees in between the parking areas Would make driving and parking along Main more difficult and dangerous and sacrifice valuable spaces for parking. He prefers the opdon that opens 7th Street up as well as Main, and felt that parking should be included on both sides of the street. He also suggested that opening 7~ toward the Iowa Street parking ramp be considered. A representative of N[CC then voiced her strong feelings against opening 7~ Street between her building and the old Trilog office. Mr. Hartig would like to see more cafe-style seating on 7~ Street near his building and cautioned against placing trees and planters too close to the ta¢ade. NICC likes the placement of curb bump-outs near their building because it widens the sidewalks, moves traffic away from the front of the building, and the distance plus the plantings act as buffers from the noise and action on the street. [t was aiso noted that the bump-outs would slow traffic down and make pedestrian street crossings easier. Mr. John Gronen felt that parking needed to be a priority to make Main a viable business street and that our options probably did not show enough spaces. It was then noted by another person that parking ramps provide many spaces for people to use, while a third person felt that it was difficuIt to find space in the ramps. If 7~" Street were opened, with or without parking, it was felt that there was a need to let the space continue to function as a plaza, especially during All That Jazz festivals. This could mean leaving the area without curbs or with very minimal ones that might be sloped. Ben Graham asked Kevin Eippede what features were being incorporated that would draw people into the space and suggested that a kind of "gateway'i structure should be provided. Mr. Eipperle then pointed out the gate structures that were shown on the drawings and discussed how they might be used, including the possibility that they could be used to close off portions of the street during certain times of the day. Mr. Hartig felt that a gate structure would serve only to isolate the area from the rest of Main StreeL It Meeting Notes March 7,2001 01073.00 Page 2 was also noted that the relocated transit hub shown on "Option A" could also draw people to the area because it would have amenities that people need and desire, such as transportation, vending, pay phones, and public toilets. Ben Graham of Graham's Style Store asked that diagonal parking in front of his building be incorporated into the drawings. His building is set back from the rest of the structures on the street and therefore could accommodate such a parking layout. Dan LoBianco of Dubuque Main Street agreed with this idea and suggested eliminating some parking in front of the Cottingham and Butler building because it was felt that Mr. Butler wanted only drop-off areas near his business. 10. Mr. Eipperle pointed out the proposed use of antique pavers on Main Street as a material that would beautify the street and slow down traffic with its color and texture. Durrant would like to see pavers used around the Town Clock as shown in Option A, with the possibility of extending the pavers from 8th Street to 5'~ Street. Durrant also proposes the use of a traffic calming device called "speed tables" on either side of the Clock, which would also raise the level of the street to the same height as the sidewalk, creating a curb-less space around the landmark. This would make it easier for people to get around in this area, especially during festivals. The use of bollards was suggested. 11. NICC encourages the idea of a curb-less street near their building because they feel that curbs are dangerous for pedestrians and dirty. Another person stated that curbs are important because they are used to control and divert storm water. 12. Mike Koch stated that it has not yet been decided whether there would be stoplights or stop signs at the intersection of 8t~ and Main Streets. It was his opinion that stop signs would be the most likely solution, and that it was possible that it would become a two-way stop intersection, allowing Main to go through and stopping traffic on 8% 13. Linda Herbst voiced her concern about the use of sloped curbs and handicapped curb cuts, citing an example near her store that is difficult and dangerous to persons in wheelchairs. She stressed the importance of proper design of these elements. 14. It was generally agreed that the proposed public green-space shown between the Trilog and Cigna buildings would be a desirable amenity for the project. It was stressed, however, that the owner of this property has not yet been approached about its purchase and may not be willing to sell it to the city. 15. Mr. Hartig stated that the future uses for his building would primarily need space in front. 16. It was noted that the new curbs shown on Durrant's plan have angular corners rather than rounded ones !ike those that are on 8~' Street. If the plans are developed into construction documents, that condition will be corrected. 17. A few owners felt that if Main was to be opened, either 6~ or 7t~ Streets must be opened to traffic as well so drivers wouldn't have to drive for three blocks before they could turn off. Allowing traffic through the city parking lot is one opportunity to avoid this. Meeting Notes March 7,2001 01073.00 Page 3 18. Durrant noted that the Main Street's driving area should be stightly wider that what is currently on 8~ Street. 19. After the formal close of the meeting, there was some discussion as to whether Option A could incorporate the opening of 7~ Street as wee If it was desirable to give the space a "plaza" feel, colored paving or pavers could be used on the street. Durrant will look into the possibility. 20. Durrant and Mike Koch will study whether or not the "rotary" element shown around the Town Clock can be made smaller in order to pull it away from the corner of the former Trilog building. 21. Mr. LoBianco stated that if the Town Clock were moved to the space between the Tdlog and Cigna buildings, the All That Jazz festival may not follow it into that location. 22. It was felt that most people would like to see the Town Clock stay were it is currently located rather than moved to a new site. This would probably be most cost effective. 23. The Transit Hub located on the comer of Main and 5~ Streets on Option A should be pushed back to the North or West to provide maneuvering room for semis loading at the Five Flags arena across the street. The preceding constitutes our interpretation of matters discussed and decisions reached. Please contact the undersigned for any omissions or discrepancies. DURRANT Intern Architect Enclosure CC: M. Koch K. Eipperle A. Holm :mk.p:\projects\01\01073.00\wp\mtg\deslgn\property owners 3.7.do¢ M. Van Mitligen Durrant 700 Locust Street Suite 942 RO. Sox 509 Dubuque, iA 52004~0509 319 583-9131 Fax: 319 557-9078 www. durrant.com A part of The Durrant Group Inc. Architecture Engineering Construction Management Planning Interiors Austin, TX Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO Dubuque, IA Eau Claire, WI Hartland, WI Madison, WI Minneapolis, MN Phoenix, AZ Sacramento, CA San Antonio, TX St. Charles, IL St. Louis, MO mucson~ AZ Vancouver, S.C. MEETING NOTES 01073.00 March 8, 2001 PROJECT: Conceptual Design - Town Clock Plaza Opening Main Street from 9"' to 5TM - City of Dubuque, iowa PARTCIPANTS: Mike Koch Mike Van MiIIigan Barry Lindahl Kevin Eippede Angela Holm DISCUSSION: The purpose of the meeting was to review three options for street development and receive direction for modifications to make for a city council work session. 1. Show parking meter locations on plans. Meters may be located on lamp poles or on bollards to reduce the number of obstructions on the sidewalk. 2. Change note on Option A to read "Antique Pavers or Stamped Concrete". 3. Add a note to the drawings that identifies the sidewalk materials as pavers like those on 8~ Street. 4. Revise seating count table to show the quantity of seating with and without the proposed public garden between the Cigna and former Tdlog buildings. 5. Durrant was asked to provide preliminary opinions of probable cost for the acquisition and development of the proposed public garden and for the relocation of the Town Clock for the Council meeting. 6. Incorporate angle parking in front of Graham's Style Store for Men in one of the options. 7. Durrant should contact Cottingham and Butler and American Trust to learn what type of parking is desired in front of their buildings. 8. Shift the caf~ seating shown on the West side of Main Street to the North, nearer to the Town Clock restaurant. 9. Remove notes on all drawings indicating "Bookstore" or ~Bar and Grill" and similar uses. 10. Change the note on the former Hartig store from "Vacant' to "First Floor Vacanf'. 11. Indicate the number of parking spaces available in the city parking lot South of the Firetar Mall building. 12. Durrent will meet with city officials on the 14t~ or 15t~ of March to review the drawings pdor to the Council meeting on the 19~. The preceding constitutes our interpretation of matters discussed and decisions reached. Please contact the undersigned for any omissions or discrepancies. DURRANT A~gela I~olm, I~f'ern Architect M. Koch K. Eippede A. Holm J. Koff M. Van Milligen :mk.p:~projects\01\01073.00\wp\mtg~design~mtg 3.8.01.doc W 9TH ST 8TH ST~ 6TH ST 5TH ST 7TH ST IL I ! TOWN CLOCK PLAZA USE STUDY W 9TH ST Ii II I Ill! 11 I I 6TH ST 7TH ST F- I I II W 9TH ST 8TH ST 6TH ST 5TH ST 7TH ST F TOWN CLOCK PLAZA USE STUDY