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Memo Clock Tower - PlazaCITY OF HOPKINS MEMORANDUM DATE: July 2, 1991 TO: The Honorable IRyor and City Council FROM: Tom Harmeningl C ommunity Development Director SUBJECT: Clock Tower - Plaza I. Purpose of Discussion Staff desires "to briefly review with the City Council the attached design alternatives for the clock tower proposed to be located in the plaza at 9th Avenue and Mainstreet. In addition, staff requests that Council review and approve of the bid process as well as of the process for determining the design of the clock tower. II. Background Although the approved plaza design allows for the installation of the clock tower and kiosk, these items were not included in the bid process last spring for the following reasons: o Sufficient time was not available to properly consider design issues as related to these items. o It was felt that consideration should be given to utilizing a community fund - raising effort to pay for the clock tower and kiosk. Since last spring, Westwood has worked with a clock tower company on design alternatives. Attached is a report from Westwood explaining the design issues pertaining to the clock tower, as well as various design options. The estimated construction cost for the clock tower is approximately $50,000. III. Proposed Process Aside from the time necessary to raise the funds for the project, it is conceivably possible to have the clock tower built this year. At a minimum, it would be desirable to know the design of the clock tower such that the proper base could be installed this fall, with the actual tower constructed next spring. The process which could be used to approve the design of the clock tower, as well as the bidding of the project, is as follows: o Reconvene the Design Review Committee and request that they review and provide a recommendation to the Business Council on a clock tower design. o The Business Council reviews the recommendation from the DRC and provides a final recommendation to the City Council. o The City Council reviews the design options and the recommendation from the Business Council and DRC. As a part of this process, the City Council may wish to hold an informational or public hearing to allow the public to comment on the proposed clock tower design. After the City Council undertakes this process, the Council could then approve a design and authorize the advertisement for bids. o Utilize a performance bidding process whereby the City would provide to interested contractors the general parameters on the type of clock tower proposed, along with a sketch. It would then be up to the clock tower companies to actually provide the specific .design on the clock tower. At the same time we could ask the clock tower companies to provide a proposal for a kiosk consistent with the design of the clock tower. The advantage to this type of process is that it reduces the cost to the City to prepare plans and specs for the clock tower. The disadvantages are that the actual clock tower constructed may be slightly different than that originally proposed by the City. o Construction management - The actual oversight of the construction of the clock tower could be done by the City, Westwood or RLK. If staff can reconvene the DRC quickly, it may be possible for staff to have a recommendation to the City Council on the design of the project by the Council's August 6 or August 20 meeting. Thereafter the bid package could be put together and the project bid out, with bids received in October. To expedite the process, staff may suggest that the DRC and Business Council meet in a joint, special session to provide a recommendation on the clock tower. Staff is proposing that a performance bid process be used in order to save costs. For example, Westwood would be willing to work for very little cost on this project provided the • City used a performance bid basis. Under this scenario, Westwood would be willing to work with the DRC and Business Council on developing a consensus on the design of the clock tower, put together a brief bid proposal, as well as review the bids that are received, and suggest an award of the contract. If the City desired to use Westwood or RLK to perform actual construction management activities, there would be additional expense. On a final note, staff is checking with legal counsel on the necessity for the City to bid out the project. Due to the Specialized nature of the project and the apparent lack of companies to bid on such a project, it may be possible for the City to dispense with the bid process and negotiate directly with a contractor. IV. Staff Recommendation Staff would recommend that it be allowed to undertake the design approval and bidding process ( if necessary) as proposed. If it were deemed appropriate to construct the project this fall, this could be accomplished using the method proposed. It if were deemed appropriate to hold off on constructing the project until spring, this process would also be appropriate as it will provide the City with sufficient direction to install the proper base this fall as a part of the initial construction of the plaza. • Westwood Professional Services. Inc June 12, 1991 CLOCK TOWER DESIGN OPTIONS MAINSTREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT HOPKINS, MINNESOTA ' 14180 Trunk Hwy. 5 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 612- 937.5150 FAX 612-937-5822 INTRODUCTION Since the completion of the Mainstreet Improvement Project plans, Westwood has been working in conjunction with Verdin (specifically Barbara Jordano) on Clock Tower design alternatives. At this time we would like to present you with the four proposals which Verdin has prepared as well as our review and recommendations of these proposals. The Kiosks shall be made to match the Clock Tower so until the Clock Tower design is more refined we will not pursue it. We used five criteria as design guidelines for reviewing each proposal. These guidelines are as follows: CLOCK TOWER DESIGN GUIDELINES 1. Clock Tower location should enable tower to be visible from several directions and become a focal point for the downtown area. 2. Design of the Plaza and proposed location for the Clock Tower in the Plaza area (on corner of 9th Street & Main) suggests accommodating pedestrian movements underneath the Clock Tower. 3. The height and mass of the Clock Tower should not exceed the building heights at 9th and Main yet be large enough to have a strong visual impact. 4. The design theme for the Clock Tower should allow for adequate detailing and ornamentation to relate to the historic theme of the streetscape and . plaza designs. 5. The Clock Tower should have a minimum of two clock faces, be either open or enclosed at the top and be able to accommodate other signage on the tower. DESIGN PROPOSALS BY VERDIN The following is a brief review of the four proposed towers by Verdin. See also attached elevations of each proposal. Proposal #1: - Overall design theme is too modern to fit historic theme for plaza and streetscape. - 25'height is appropriate. - Width and openness at.base will accommodate pedestrian movements. CLOCK TOWER DESIGN OPTIONS MAINSTRK T IMPROVEMENT PROJECT HOPKINS, MINNESOTA Proposal #2 Proposal #3 - Overall design theme is unified and fits the context of the historic streetscape and plaza designs. - Design shows good detailing and an appropriate ornateness to compliment historic theme. - 25' height is appropriate. -Width at base is generally too narrow to easily accommodate pedestrian movements. Proposal #4 - Overall design them is not unified - top half is detailed for historic look while bottom half appears too modern. -25' height is appropriate. -Width and openness at base will accommodate pedestrian movement. - Overall design theme is not unified yet it begins to suggest a historic theme. - Detailing is awkward and disjointed. - 25' height is appropriate. -Width at base is generally too narrow to easily accommodate pedestrian movements. COST IMPLICATIONS The four proposals by Verdin all fall within the $50,000 budget allotted by the City. Slight revisions to the design could be accomplished while maintaining the same budget. HEIGHT ISSUE It is Westwood's understanding that there has been some concern expressed about the Clock Tower's height. In our estimation the Clock Tower should fit the relative scale of downtown yet be large enough to become a focal point. Following our design guidelines, the tower should accommodate pedestrian movements through its base. This would suggest there be approximately 6 feet of width between the base columns. The appropriate overall height of the tower then becomes a function of the base width which determines an aesthetically pleasing proportion of width to height. A shorter tower will appear "heavy" and "squat" in the space. It is also important that the tower's height compliment the heights of the buildings surrounding its location. Nearly all of the buildings which directly relate to the tower are 3 stories and therefore range between 30 and 36 feet in height. Given the above information it is Westwood's recommendation that the Clock Tower be approximately 25-feet high. This size would give the tower good width to height proportions and properly fit it into the context of the surrounding building heights. • CLACK TOWER DESIGN OPTIONS MAINSTREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT HOPKINS, MINNESOTA DESIGN RECOMMENDATION Following our review of Verdin's four proposals, it is our determination that Proposal #3 most closely matches our design guidelines. It articulates an historic theme with proper ornamentation and detailing, has four clock faces and fits our height and mass requirements. The one guideline which it fails to meet satisfactorily is the base width. In Verdin's proposal the inside width between columns is 4 feet. Westwood's recommendation is that width should be approximately 6 feet to comfortably accommodate pedestrian movements underneath the tower. We are therefore offering 3 design alternatives which have a 6 foot inside base width that are spin -offs from Verdin's Proposal #3 for the City's review. We have attached them and labeled them 3A, 3B, and 3C. We favor any one of these proposals. CONCLUSION It is our desire that the City carefully review the Clock Tower Design Guidelines, Verdins designs, and our recommendations and alternatives before reaching your decision. The appropriate next step would be a joint review of those plans (with Westwood). We will then provide Verdin with a summary recommendation to get us to a single plan and their confirmation on costs. They could then proceed with the kiosk design and also provide the City with a colored rendering of the preferred Clock Tower design. If you have any questions please call Randy Goertzen or Tim Erkkila'at 937 -5150. RG -TE Proposal 1 t.\,tLn tr. Ciesc. _ r _tuym - c:rcu. • -- fui5tkv k - tAt Proposal 2 � - RC ". lYi�Of�'(t » ?ilv VERDIN SINCE 1842 ;u-1 �. ��XL yIL TUEIPL'I 2v0. (IOLh ti CAL( 4 A l a II .4 t r • 'CrcriJE 6_r3.VL . v 444 lin, hug Cllldmeiil. ( thin pp u_ l -laid 1 MINbMi 1.1 1-1 [ - - FAX 13- 81I Ihnn "Leff, Ci 1R.,JLL ,HJ- L1 r Proposal 3 V2 "= 1'6" tv:C. _ z6M \9e1e2— 15 A61 LC: Ur -.E fLig \�— LC.VVV E , G q.L Ee. G.I.POA .'rnJC T1!EI A.p IC AI. JI. n11 — letur,n<L (Le e_7-1 _ -*LI..I�Y�. i Proposal 4 1 1 0' VERDIN �T SINCE 1842 SCALE: ti DATE, : ( .I 1(nu / 4 rin AlullulucTuring Fn. Irr, .11.1 rn, n,. N.m( brnumrir. uLIn 4H1u! IAN 51:1121•MZ1r'i MolusrLctr Ucxxlr.l:�. , 1, DRAWN ev. GLP REVISED. Proposal 3A rBe, '. tor ' rt,v, 'Li t - l�hcr.'� • + Mot! b.f VV E. -e /.lar!, - 1 'r cid,. r.L. ( 'lAhl. 5c L Kc,e b�'t,R.AJ C. c i F LEA JNA.4f - (✓ •^ NI- - 1:13.14 Ve. 1'0' IJ,I 1. A 11W r IF..Fl vJrtK - :p\r'L'. 'iC AflC) K_cn,l[Eed - I pejNY M,IG Alt] 3',_ < -I - r ot'Lk'I r o =r nwTlJC fl AM "(1.1 IIMr.I t° --,' -,:� 1i4ac t.Jc rr Mier- A G Proposal 3B :rA C osi c l K.ryrs' �:f. ��F A iry %..L� Ali n iL'I 14 Af n '. �� � YIN — Lkei1 k O'bn.M Lz✓,E L,.WV E 4 ''L I, V �LEE� '., r YJt, cc, I i _rir id. ve• F •�ti' ^I NrLK' F_'[nJGL ✓.1 11/I+Jmia AJIL r \L[ .• 1L - flit 'WI 'O=(ncratil R ATLI - rL 1i 4ac “k.l.c.=uer A G, Proposal 3C Ari '1r.i.€ •k1 " r L . 'LA1 1R . ' S S vJN • i2 1'o &AUL( . t ''L kvLs tY /: F: t.. (nu Q.AL1 Po' 41.1. - FL, \L r, 'lx. Atr.L. F_ cnde ua ti Ej h1( idt, Alall. o-rL TbE t . Lkr_a Irk bix,RAr,' Casc `l,r,Lw.0 (d era x,. 1aeu.16 . "Cal dial 'tY2,s err_ t - t Li rrd]gr A Gnc i.: July 2, 1991 Mr. Lee Gustafson Director of Public Works City of Hopkins 1010 South First Street Hopkins, MN 55343 Re: Tree Removal and Replacement - Mainstreet RLK #91011 Dear Lee: RLK ASSOCIATES LTD. This letter is in response to the concerns being raised regarding the number of • trees scheduled for removal in conjunction with the entire upgrading of Mainstreet. Please be advised that during the design process preceding the preparation of the contract documents, the location, condition and value of the existing trees relative to the impact construction would have on their ability to survive were considered. In areas where we felt the root zones of the trees would tolerate the new construction and their location, compatible to the design layout, the trees were protected. In areas where the new curb line, elevation and proposed utilities would severely impact the trees the design team decided to remove the trees and propose new trees in a consistent layout. The objective was to save as many trees as possible; however, where new construction would severely impact the tree's ability to survive we slated the tree for removal. Currently, the plans call for the installation of 86 trees to help offset the removal of 37 trees. In an attempt to further clarify the design intent, a field survey was conducted on July 2, 1991, by the City Forester, Ray Vogtman, and the project Landscape Architect, John Dietrich. Each tree was reviewed in terms of condition, species, location, and ability to transplant (see attached spreadsheet for record of each tree between 6th and 12th Avenues). There are 47 trees along Mainstreet between 6th and 12th Avenues, ranging in size from 3.5 to 15 inches in caliper. The 10 trees scheduled to be protected are located between 6th and 8th Avenues; this equates to 21% of the trees on Mainstreet to be protected. Subsequent to the July 2 tree inventory, it had been concluded that up to 10 additional trees may be transplanted from the project area. However, prior to transplanting, the following conditions will have to be considered: 922 Mainstreet Hopkins, Minnesota 55343 (612) 933 -0972 fax: 933 -1153 Mr. Lee Gustafson July 2, 1991 • Page 2 1. All brick at the base of tree to be removed. 2. Removal of vertical timbers by pulling them out. 3. Disconnect street light circuit. 4. Two trees could be transplanted using City forces. 5. Five trees would have to be transplanted by a landscape contractor. 6. Three Canadian Red Cherry trees to be salvaged and transplanted at the time of planter removal. The maximum size of a tree available to be transplanted is 8 - 10 inches in caliper, and must be planted at sidewalk grade. Any tree which had scars, was deformed, or encroached upon an underground utility (excluding street lights) was not considered for transplanting. Secondly, there is no guarantee on transplanting trees and the trees would require daily waterings at the new site. Generally, it is preferable to purchase new plant stock ready for planting complete with a guarantee versus transplanting trees within the above conditions. The majority of trees on Mainstreet are too large to be transplanted and are subject to substantial disruption during Mainstreet reconstruction. To transplant the seven trees, determined to be available, would require a substantial investment in manpower and machinery. The trees, whether removed by cutting or transplanting, will result in a similar appearance for the interim on Mainstreet. It is RLK's recommendation to proceed with the plans as bid with the following modification: 1. Transplant the Canadian Red Cherry trees from the planters at the time of planter removal.' When mature trees are proposed to be removed, it becomes an emotional issue for all involved. We have attempted to be as sensitive to this issue as possible; however, we have consistently indicated the number of trees to be saved would be in the range of 20% to 30 %, with the addition of the 3 Canadian Red Cherry trees the total percentage of trees slated to be saved will be 27% of the total. As the development of the design theme evolved for Mainstreet, which incorporated the established program elements, it was inevitable that there would be a number of concessions. One of the direct impacts of straightening out Mainstreet and adding parking to both sides of the street is the elimination of existing trees. In the long run the addition of the new trees will provide a quality overstory tree canopy complementing the final streetscape design. Sincerely, JL JD:jms John Dietrich Landscape Architect BLOCK 9TH - 10TH AVENUES ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 'TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC.* ****************************************************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** -N 923.5 ASH 4" TIMBERS IN FRONT POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R CITY ABLE TO MOVE 2 -N 911 ASH 3.5" CLOSE TO CURB POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R CITY ABLE TO MOVE 3 -N 907 CAN. RED 3.0" IN PLANTER - ROOT BOUND TRANSPLANT T CHERRY MAINTAIN UNTIL PLANTER REMOVAL 4 -N 903 ASH 5.0" GOOD - T00 LARGE FOR CITY POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR GAS SERVICE, ST. LIGHT SERVICE 5 -S PARKING LOT ASH 5.0" POOR FORM - TIMBER, TRUNK REMOVE R LEANING 6 -S 914 ASH 5.0" HIT BY CAR - SCAR REMOVE R 7 -S 916 CAN. RED 3.0" IN PLANTER - ROOT BOUND TRANSPLANT T CHERRY MAINTAIN UNTIL PLANTER REMOVAL 8 922 ASH 6.0" POOR - NO CENTRAL LEADER REMOVE R TIMBERS - ST. LIGHT CONDUIT BLOCK 10TH TO 11TH AVENUES ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * * * * * * * ** TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC. ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * * * * * * * * * ** 1 -N 1019 ASH 7" TIMBERS, T00 CLOSE TO CURB REMOVE R ST. LIGHT CONDUITS 2 -N 1013 ASH 9" MAX. SIZE TO MOVE POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR 3 -N 1013 CAN. RED 3" IN PLANTER - ROOT BOUND TRANSPLANT T CHERRY MAINTAIN UNTIL PLANTER REMOVAL 1011 ASH 8" MAXIMUM SIZE POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR 5 -N 1007 ASH 16" T00 LARGE TO MOVE REMOVE R TIMBERS IN FRONT 6 -S 1002 ASH . 10" IN PLANTER - REMOVE REMOVE R NOT ABLE TO TRANSPLANT 7 -S 1006 ASH 9" GAS MAIN - GOOD CONDITION REMOVE R 8 -S 1008 ASH 10" GAS MAIN & GAS SERVICE REMOVE R GOOD CONDITION 9 -S 1014 ASH 10" FAIR CONDITION - SUB TO POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR - REMOVE MORE CONCRETE BLOCK 11TH - 12TH AVENUES ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC. ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * *** * * * * * * * * * ** 1 -N SUBURBAN USED LOT ASH 9" IN PLANTER -NOT ABLE TO MOVE REMOVE R 2 -N SUBURBAN USED LOT ASH 6" IN PLANTER -NOT ABLE TO MOVE REMOVE R 3 -N SUBURBAN USED LOT ASH 10" UTILITIES UNKNOWN POTENTIAL TO TRANSPLANT R GOOD FORM, MAX. SIZE 4 -S 1100 ASH 3.5" TIMBERS, SCAR ON SIDE REMOVE R ST. LIGHT 5 -S 1100 ASH • 3.0" TIMBERS, BROKEN LIMB - REMOVE R NO CENTRAL LEADER 6 -S 1100 ASH 4.5" SPLIT PARK - FROST CRACK REMOVE R TIMBERS - NO CENTRAL LEADER 1100 ASH DEAD REMOVE R 8 -S 1100 ASH 3.5" POOR - TREE HALF DEAD REMOVE R *REC. =RECOMMENDATION S =SAVE R =REMOVE T= TRANSPLANT RLK 491011 2 JULY 1991 TREE INVENTORY LOCATION: MAINSTREET 6TH TO 12TH AVENUES filV ESENT: RAY VOGTMAN, JOHN DIETRICH BLOCK 6TH - 7TH AVENUES TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC.* ********************************************************************************************* * * * * * * **** *** **** * * * * **** * ** *** 1 -N HOPKINS HONDA NO. SIDE ASH 20" FAIR SAVE /PROTECT S 2 -N HOPKINS HONDA NO. SIDE LITTLE 8" FAIR REMOVE - IN PLANTER R LEAF CANNOT MOVE LINDEN 3 -N HOPKINS HONDA NO. SIDE ASH 15" FAIR SAVE /PROTECT S 4 -N HOPKINS HONDA NO. SIDE ASH 8" GOOD REMOVE - GOOD TREE R UTILITIES UNDERNEATH 5.S HOPKINS VILLAGE APTS. ASH 8" GOOD SAVE /PROTECT S 6 -S HOPKINS VILLAGE APTS. ASH 10" GOOD SAVE /PROTECT S 7 -S ASH 8" FAIR REMOVE - IN PLANTER - CANNOT MOVE R BLOCK 7TH -8TH AVENUES TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC. ********************************************************************************************* * * * *** **** ** * * * **** * * ** ******** 1-N CITY PARKING LOT ASH 8" FAIR - TREE LEANING SAVE /PROTECT S TIMBER IN FRONT 2 -N 717 ASH 10" FAIR - TREE LEANING SAVE /PROTECT S TIMBER IN FRONT Ale WI HONDA ASH 16" GOOD - TIMBERS IN FRONT SAVE /PROTECT S HONDA BODY SHOP ASH 15" GOOD - TIMBERS IN FRONT SAVE /PROTECT S 5 -S 708 ASH 6" FAIR - TIMBER IN FRONT SAVE /PROTECT S 6 -S 712 ASH 14" GOOD SAVE /PROTECT S 7 -S 714 ASH 6" IN PLANTER REMOVE R 8 -S 824 ASH 11" GOOD - GAS MAIN UNDERNEATH REMOVE R TOO LARGE BLOCK 8TH - 9TH AVENUES ********************************************************************************************* * * * ** **** **** * *** *** **** * **** ** TREE NO. ADDRESS TYPE SIZE CONDITION COMMENTS REC. 1 -N 821 ASH 14" ,T0O LARGE TO TRANSPLANT GAS MAIN 2-N 815 ASH 14" TOO LARGE TO TRANSPLANT TOO CLOSE TO CURB 3 -N 801 ASH 14" TIMBER IN FRONT, TREE LEANING TOO LARGE TO TRANSPLANT 4 -S 804 ASH 14" TOO LARGE TO TRANSPLANT GAS MAIN TIMBERS 5 -S 814 ASH 12" GAS MAIN , STREET LIGHT 1, TOO LARGE TO TRANSPLANT 6 -S 814 NORWAY 6" IN PLANTER MAPLE NOT ABLE TO TRANSPLANT *REC. =RECOMMENDATION S =SAVE R= REMOVE •RANSPLANT REMOVE R REMOVE R REMOVE R REMOVE R REMOVE R REMOVE R