Letter- Parking Improvements per Barton-Aschman StudyDATE: March 12, 1982
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: William P. Craig, City Manager
SUBJECT: Parking Improvements per Barton Aschman Study
The recently received Barton- Aschman study recommends several improvements in down-
town Hopkins parking in order to keep retail business healthy, and attract new
business, prese,'ving the attractive character of the downtown. The study does
not actually lay out plans and specifications for such improvements, nor does it
give the type of construction estimates traditionally rendered by architects or
engineers. Instead, general overall estimates of cost were given to show the
scope of the recommended projects.
How, then, do we get the Barton- Aschman recommendations to the point that Council
can make an informed decision on whether or not to implement them, one by one?
I would suggest that the decisions be approached in the same manner as any other
municipal capital expenditure- -by ordering an engineer's report.
Several of the Barton- Aschman recommendations involve the use of property not owned
by the city at this time. Consequently it is premature to order engineer's reports
on such projects, at least until mutual discussions have resulted in a Council
direction to seek purchase of the land.
Try substantial recommended parking projects are on land presently owned by the
city. One (the combination of city lots 500 and 600) is within the expertise of
our city engineering staff regarding a report. The other (construction of a ramp
in city lot 400) is an engineering specialty, best reported on by an outside firm
which designs such ramps for a living. Three such firms have been in repeated
contact with city officials regarding a Hopkins ramp over the last ten years-
Carl Walker and Associates, BWBR Architects, and Rieke, Carroll, Muller (1tM).
Such areport would be similar to the one received on the new city garage before any
permission was given to prepare plans and specification -it essentially tells you what
you will get, what it will look like, and for haw much money.
All the firms noted above were asked to quote on a report regarding the ramp
proposed in the Barton- Aschman (and 1977 RCM) study. While we were at it, I asked
them to quote as well on a similar report regarding the land east of the city hall
now used for parking. That parcel also has a grade differential lending itself to
a parking deck, and would also serve the office building area with leased employee
parking spaces. The proposals submitted by the engineers are summarized below:
BWBR both ramps $3,000 to $3,500 maximum
RCM lot 400 only $5,500 maximum
Carl Walker Lot 400 $2,500
City Hall $1,500
Recognizing that you may wish to discuss this at more length than one meeting can allow,
the matter will be developed further as you direct. Expenses incurred should be charged
to the downtown redevelopment account.
Respectfully submitted,
~6:(0.12 (:<UPILAE7)
William P. Craig