Absent: Elizabeth Abrahams, Jeff Zachmann, Lynn Brand, Michele Anderson, Shawna Shale, Stephanie Hoff

Transcription

1 Hisingtn Kegler Grup Inc. MEETING NOTES Creating Places that Enrich Peple s Lives Fergus Falls Dwntwn & Riverfrnt Master Plan Cmmunity Advisry Cmmittee (CAC) Meeting Octber 4, :30pm Fergus Falls City Hall Attendees: CAC Members Cathy Petersn, David Sandersn, Steve Emersn, Gary Spies, Ed Strand, Jess Steinbrenner, Chris McCnn, Rdney Spidahl, Lynn Mulgrew, Nick Lenard, High Schl AP Gvernment Class Students (Nate Rnning, Jacb Marvel, David Wallingtn, Evan Aanerud, Ryan Beck) City f Fergus Falls Grdn Hydukvich, Amy Baldwin, Andrew Bremseth, Ryan Miller Prject Cnsultants Jeff Miller (HKGi), Jeff McMenimen (HKGi), Jess Vertran (HKGi), Barry Glienke (BMI), Ashley Hudsn (BMI), Denita Lemmn (MDA) Absent: Elizabeth Abrahams, Jeff Zachmann, Lynn Brand, Michele Andersn, Shawna Shale, Stephanie Hff CAC Member Intrductins, Favrite Activities in Dwntwn and Riverfrnt Each CAC member was asked t intrduce themselves, including answering the questin What is ne f yur favrite things t d dwntwn r alng the dwntwn riverfrnt? The fllwing respnses were prvided by CAC members: Walking, peple watching, beautiful flwers, als mentined the Beautiful Fergus Falls cmmittee s wrk Bating and fishing n the river Lincln Avenue/dwntwn streetscape design Lves t drive thrugh dwntwn, als mentined the Dwntwn Lking Up initiative that ccurred in years ag and even brught a cmmemrative brick t the meeting Wrld Bareft Water Ski Champinship that tk place in Fergus Falls and hpes it can return t the Otter Tail River smetime Walking and windw shpping in dwntwn Ging t Hannah Park with the kids Walking n the River Walk trail t the dam and watching the water flw thrugh the dam The smells f dwntwn, including dnuts frm the bakery, pizza at the Viking Café, and thers Walking n the bridges and taking in the river views Hisingtn Kegler Grup Inc. 123 Nrth Third Street, Suite 100 Minneaplis, Minnesta (612) Fax (612)

2 Fergus Falls Dwntwn & Riverfrnt Master Plan CAC Meeting Octber 4, 2016 Dwntwn accessibility Walking n the River Walk at night and stargazing Shpping and eating ut in dwntwn Running alng the River Walk trail Ging t the dam verlk Dwntwn streetscape, wish the tter bllards culd be installed The garden club Wuld like t bring back the duck derby races n the river Ging ut t eat in dwntwn Being able t walk and bike t dwntwn frm hme Rles and Respnsibilities f the Cmmunity Advisry Cmmittee The planning cnsultants explained the general rles and respnsibilities f the CAC: Prvide current and histric backgrund infrmatin n dwntwn and the riverfrnt Identify land use, develpment, urban design, and cnnectivity issues within the study area Bring a wide range f cmmunity perspectives t the table Review and prvide input n ptential master plan directins Prvide feedback t city staff and the cnsultants n majr issues, pprtunities, and recmmendatins Cmmunicate t the larger cmmunity t get feedback n majr issues, pprtunities, and recmmendatins Attend all CAC meetings, as well as cmmunity meetings, wrkshps, etc. Prject Overview, Phases/Tasks, and Schedule The planning cnsultants prvided an verview f the master planning prcess, which cnsists f seven phases: Phase 1 Organize the Initiative Phase 2 Cnduct Study Area Inventry and Analysis Phase 3 Build the Visin Phase 4 Explre Ptential Future Cncepts Phase 5 Develp the Preferred Directin Phase 6 Identify a Multi-Phase Actin Plan Phase 7 Prepare and Adpt Final Master Plan The prject is scheduled t be cmpleted by the end f The cnsultant team is wrking with city staff t refine the preliminary schedule, which will be available n the prject website. Favrite Places in Dwntwn and the Riverfrnt The master plan prject is viewing the prject study area as three distinct river reaches Dwntwn River Reach, West River Reach, and East River Reach. The grup identified n an aerial map and described their favrite places in each f the three river reaches, which included the fllwing: Dwntwn River Reach The Eagles Deck the ship restaurant/bar Great views, ffers an pprtunity fr sitting and lking at the river 2

3 Fergus Falls Dwntwn & Riverfrnt Master Plan CAC Meeting Octber 4, 2016 Event space, lts f wedding events take place here Veteran s Memrial Park Special spt Leave it as it is, already a perfect destinatin Flags are a draw fr visitrs River Inn Nt being used fr its best purpse Beautiful views frm this building Great ptential fr a restaurant lcatin Beautiful place t walk alng river Central Dam has beautiful views f water flwing ver the dam and rapids Federal Curthuse building Nt being fully used Abandned by the pst ffice (first flr) Any ptential fr increasing use f this landmark building? Great views f the river City s name is Fergus Falls but there are currently n markers shwing where t g t see the falls Surface Parking lts Parking lt between Mill St and Curt St is an underutilized site that ffers pprtunities fr develpment alng the river Garden club Hsta garden adjacent t River Walk beautiful walk Rain garden effect Wright Park In the heart f the city Sculpture funder f the twn Wright Park and Unin Ave bridge - dwntwn with river cnnectins Nrth Cuntry Trail new stairs just cnstructed dwn t the river by Eagle Scuts at Wright Park Quiet East River Reach Brken Dwn Dam Whitewater area Subject f paintings Outside the study area (east) Eagle Scut prject Part f nrth cuntry trail Red sx park Main St bridge the rck Ppular swimming spt Ht springs Off the beaten path 3

4 Fergus Falls Dwntwn & Riverfrnt Master Plan CAC Meeting Octber 4, 2016 Cncrd St bridge Beautiful views f geese and ther birds Swimming spt where kids jump ff the bridge int the river West River Reach City-wned pint Vestiges f wild prairie, flwers, but yu have t crss the trestle Yu can see rapids, the mill, lts f waterfwl, unique views Hannah Park Great fishing, kayaking, caneing Peaceful, quite park Beautiful area Wrld Bareft Water Ski Champinship Held n Otter Tail River, hence Bareft Park, 1990s Bareft Park Really quiet, hidden park CC member Spidahl s campaign HQ Ptential park alng river Twer Rad bridge New bridge Fr many peple it s the first time yu really get t see the river Allws yu t see hw big the river is Waterfwl lts f them n river near Twer Rad bridge Beautiful view f river t the east Wds by water treatment plant Play area fr kids Additinal Issues & Opprtunities Ice rink n Lake Alice Brught back last year Histric feature f lake Church n Lake Alice Significant financial dnatin t church recently by deceased member Dairy site in West River Reach Ptential fr public buildings, fishing dck, kayak/cane rental site, water park, and ther water-riented recreatin destinatins Trails alng river Bring back events like bareft water skiing Synergistic develpment with a mix f uses Dwntwn trail Ptential fr trail frm dwntwn ut t French Elevatr n relcated rail line Old Smkey Ski Hill Clsed public dwnhill ski hill, city-wned land Ptential t repen as a recreatin facility? High pint suth f dwntwn 4

5 Fergus Falls Dwntwn & Riverfrnt Master Plan CAC Meeting Octber 4, 2016 Ht Lake Pwer Plant Clsing in 2020 Beautiful spt that culd be restred Wrk with them t get cmmunity benefit as part f the clsing Next Meeting The next CAC meeting is tentatively scheduled fr Tuesday, Nvember 15th at 5:30pm. 5