Title
Agenda Item:
Artesian Court Draft Concept Design
Body
Issue:
Update on the Artesian Court project
Staff Contact:
Linda Oestreich, Director of Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8462
David Okerlund, Planning Program Manager, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Linda Oestreich
David Okerlund
Background and Analysis:
Prior Council/ Committee Review:
February 7, 2012: This concept was presented to City Council as a component of the Downtown Project.
January 30, 2013: An oral project status report was presented to the Land Use and Environment Committee.
Ongoing: Two members of City Council have served on the City Artesian Court Design Team.
Background:
Project Purpose and Vision
The work by the City's Artesian Court Design Team is an extension of the planning effort for this space initiated during the fall, 2011 Project for Public Spaces exercise. This project will create a vibrant, multi-purpose urban courtyard offering a variety of activities designed and managed to be clean, safe and welcoming to all. Circulation and parking improvements will improve access to the artesian well-head. In the future, the artesian interpretive area will provide a space to explain artesian geology and celebrate the artesian phenomenon. The food court will serve as a gathering place for people who live and work downtown- including areas for socializing and dining. The hours of operation of the space have yet to be determined.
Public Involvement
City staff presented the Artesian Court Draft Concept Plan to five organizations and to the owners of the two adjacent buildings. A general public meeting was conducted by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) at the Olympia Center on March 7, 2013 with about 25 attendees. Throughout the public process, over 100 individual comments were recorded and numerous e-mails were received. The comments were varied- exemplifying the uniqueness and diversity of our community. The public outreach process included meetings with the following organizations:
· Olympia Downtown Association (ODA)
· Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
· Adjacent building owners
· Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA)
· H2Oly
· Downtown Neighborhood Association
Revised Draft Concept Plan
Following the public process, staff made changes to address many of the comments received. The City Artesian Court Design team met on March 21, 2013 and further revised and finalized the draft concept plan. The revised cost estimate for this project is $153,000. Should this concept be approved, it is anticipated that the project will be constructed in fall 2013/winter 2014.
The revised draft concept plan was presented to PRAC on April 11, 2013. At its meeting, PRAC reviewed this project and received additional public comments. The PRAC recommendation memorandum to City Council is attached.
Fencing
Subsequent to PRAC review, The City Public Works Department requested that a 6' high, black vinyl-coated chain-link be shown on the site plan to enhance the security of the existing City fleet vehicle parking area. The adjacent building owner to the west also requested that a 4' high black vinyl-coated chain-link fence be installed along the western property line to discourage food court users from parking in his parking lot. Both of these fences are now depicted on the site plan.
Site Operation and Maintenance
The food court hours of operation are yet to be determined and may be seasonal. The Directors of Public Works, Community Planning & Development, Parks, Arts and Recreation and the Police Chief met to identify and allocate roles and responsibilities for the on-going management and operation of the site. It was determined that this will be accomplished via an inter-departmental cooperative effort, with the assistance of the City Probation Crew, the Downtown Ambassadors and the operators of the mobile food units (MFUs). With the exception of the lease for the porta-potty unit ($225 per month), additional operating funds will not be required.
Selection of MFU Concessionaires
Staff has developed a Request for Proposals and selection criteria for securing the three MFUs proposed for the food court. This package will be reviewed by City Legal Department prior to being advertised.
Public Restroom Requirements
If tables and chairs are provided for patrons of the food court, Thurston County Health Department regulations require that a public restroom facility be provided within 200' of the MFUs. The proposed ADA-accessible porta-potty will meet this requirement.
Restroom Requirements for Employees of MFUs
Thurston County Health Department regulations also require that a restroom facility with hand-washing facilities equipped with warm running water, soap and paper towels be available within 200' of MFUs. A porta-potty will not meet this requirement. To meet this requirement, MFU operators are required to secure a Restroom Agreement with a neighboring business owner. The access hours to the restroom must be in sync with the hours of operation of the MFU, including set-up and take-down time. As a result, the ability to operate MFU's on this site is dependent upon the concessionaire's ability to secure the requisite restroom agreement.
Temporary Use Permit for Operation in 2013
Pending Council direction, a Temporary Use Application will be submitted to the Community Planning and Development Department. If approved, and if the requisite restroom agreements are secured, the Temporary Use permit would allow the MFUs to be in operation prior to the full project being completed. The interim project would provide for electrical service for three mobile food units, table and chairs, planters and plantings, bollards and signage. The estimated cost of the interim improvements is $30,000 (plus the porta-potty rental mentioned above). Most of the components and improvements included in the temporary project will be re-used in the implementation of the final project.
Financial Impact:
$100,000 for this project was approved in the 2013-2018 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). An additional $53,000 is being requested in the draft 2014-2019 CFP.