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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-09 PACKET 08.F.City of C ottagg e • Minnesota To: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director CC: Date: December 8, 2011 Subject: Proposal for Community Pool Building Reuse Conceptual Designs Background With the closure of the municipal pool following the 2011 swimming season, staff has been working on preparing reuse options for the pool site and building. Discussion In November the Economic Development Authority authorized funding for a design charrette to analyze reuse options of the community pool site and building. That process was completed on December 6, 2011. The session was well attended with 20 participants representing the Parks Commission, Planning Commission, Community Center Task Force, Historic Preservation Commission, City Council and Staff. The discussion was led by Dick Krumm, RVK Architects, with a goal of brainstorming and analyzing all possible options for reuse to the benefit of the community. During this initial process, discussions regarding funding were kept to a minimum to encourage focus on potential community benefits of reuse with an understanding that cost analysis will be a key component in future steps. Over 20 concepts were presented by the group. Common themes of all concepts include the restoration of the interior and exterior of the facility, expanded parking, and demolition of the pool area. Upon analysis and review of the laundry list of concepts, the list was narrowed to the three below with a brief description of each (in no particular order): Indoor playground /youth party center— Facility would focus on youth /family orientated indoor and outdoor recreational activities that would produce high volumes of rentals. Potential amenities would include indoor playground, party rooms, serving kitchen, outdoor playground, climbing wall, outdoor turf area /landscaping, gaming room, wi -fi, and an area for outdoor activities /small concerts /shows. It was determined this concept would have to be unique in design to become a draw across the city. It's believed this reuse would serve a need for the community to improve year -round options for this type of rental or use that most residents currently must leave the Cottage Grove for. 2. Banquet/Meeting Facility — Facility would be restored to a more professional setting that would encourage residents, local organizations and business community members to rent the facility for parties, training, banquets, fundraising events, meetings, presentations and more. Potential amenities include kitchen, large open space for 50 -100 with option to split into multiple rooms as needed, outdoor components such as lawn and landscaping with recreational opportunities (such as lawn bowling or garden) as a unique feature of this particular rental option. This concept would need to have good curb appeal as renters would be looking to rent this facility for its appearance and uniqueness compared to other options. The facility may also have the flexibility to serve as a senior center during non - rented times. It's believed this level of facility would fill a need of the community for smaller gatherings of 50 -100 that is currently limited in terms of quantity and quality. 3. Teen Center— Facility would be renovated to target use for 12 -15 year olds. It would be designed for such activities as dancing, parties, gaming, lounging, music areas (karaoke, instrument practice, etc.) and events. Supervision of the facility would have to address curfews, noise, identification and loitering in the neighborhood. Programming for teens continues to be a perceived need of the community and this type of reuse would attempt to fill that void. The task force suggests that these three options should be further analyzed as they may provide a positive impact to the community through creative reuse of an existing facility. Council has since authorized staff to proceed with the next phase of contracting services with RVK Architects to provide conceptual designs for each of the three reuse options. The completed concepts will be presented at the All Commission Meeting on January 14, 2012 to further gauge interest of active community members in fulfilling such a project. It would be expected that the commissioners would have any opportunity to ask questions, make comment and provide a voice in a preferred concept. Staff Recommendation No recommendation required at this time. City of Cottage G• - Cottage Grove Pool Building Design Meeting December 1 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Pool Building Design Meeting was duly held on the 6th day of December, 2011. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Dick Krumm, Danette Parr, Myron Bailey, Dave Theide, Jen Peterson, Ryan Schoeder, Mark Nelson, Ken Brittain, Justin Olsen, Molly Pietruszewski, Judy Spooner, John Burbank, John McCool, Robin Roland, Tammy Anderson, Harry Taylor, Randy Werhle, Zac Dockter, Ryan Simmers, Jennifer Levitt Absent: Sue O'Connell Materials: Cottage Grove Community Task Force Facility Ranking, June 2, 2011, Cottage Grove Market Analysis, Cottage Grove Community Task Force Final Report, April, 2011, Cottage Grove Pool Building Architectural Site Plan RVK Architects, December 6, 2011. The Thompson Grove Estates is an Orrin Thompson Development that began in the 1960's. All homeowners in the Thompson Grove project automatically belonged to the Country Club. The club's grand opening was in the summer of 1962. Facilities included a swimming pool and club house with facilities for social and civic gatherings. Dues were voluntary, and management of the club was managed by a board of directors made up of homeowners. In the late 1960's the Thompson Grove Country Club was turned over to local government. In the late 1970's the community hall portion was closed and used for CGAA storage while the city continued to use the remainder of the facility in relation to Municipal Swimming Pool service. In 2011, Council approved closure of the pool due to years of declining usage. To date, the building still provides equipment storage for the Cottage Grove Athletic Association. Dick Krumm of RVK Architects stated the pool building is not architecturally significant but is an important part of Cottage Grove's community history. The 5,520 sq ft building, that appears to be structurally sound, holds lots of potential for renovation. One strong feature of this building is the ability to create several large open areas. Some obstacles would be the building is not energy efficient, needs to be brought to code (particularly with ADA), windows need replacing, transit heat would need upgrades, and the possibility of asbestos. Two options were presented at the meeting. The first option was to demolish the building, remove the swimming pool, and create up to 4 lots to be sold for residential construction. If the building is demolished and the lots sold consideration would have to be given to the following; • Finding an interest from developers to build in the Thompson Grove area. • Requiring stipulations the homes built would replicate the same features of existing homes and aesthetically fit the development. • Pricing the lots to be able to cover the costs of demolition, taking into consideration the location of the lots in close proximity to the tank farm and current market values. • Ordinances may restrict building on this site all together considering adjacent homeowners have an expectation of recreational use for the lot. The second option would be to remodel the building and make necessary improvements to preserve it. If the building is remodeled some considerations discussed at the meeting included; • The impact on traffic levels if the building is used for commercial purposes. • The impact on existing residents. • How the facility could be used to draw residents from other communities and encourage these residents to utilize local businesses. • Assessing the parking arrangement. • Assessing the need to change Granada Ave to correspond with increased traffic. • The traffic levels and how they would impact the existing neighborhood. • Maintaining the historical significance of the building. The next task was to decide, if this building is restored, what purpose for this building would best serve the community and existing neighborhood. Numerous ideas were presented. Potential ideas considered were: • Teen Center • Senior Center • Aquatic Rehab Center • Business Center — Low Density • Banquet Meeting Facility • Recreational Facility • Indoor Walking Track • Indoor Playground • Fitness Center • Multi- purpose Activity Center • Commercial Rentable Facility • Skate Park • CGAA Storage Facility • Art Center — Performing Arts, Art Displays • Birthday Party Center • Open Greenspace or Park • Micro Brewery • Gaming Center Dockter put the ideas to a vote narrowing the selection to four for more in depth discussion. • Teen Center • Recreational /Birthday Party Facility • Commercial Business Center • Banquet Meeting Facility Groups of 4 to 5 attendees were formed to discuss one of four ideas listed. Groups then presented what they imagined each of the listed ideas would look like and what benefits it would provide for the community. Teen Center • Would provide a safe and fun hangout for local youth ages 12 -14. • Would require a police presence. Cottage Grove Pool Building Design Meeting 2 1 P a g e • Possibility of dancing and music. • Fun age appropriate games pool, foosball, pop -a -shot, Wii, ect. • May require a school ID and have outside restrictions. • Would include fire pit and yard games in the outdoor area. • Would include a lounge area with couches and chairs. • Would require limited supervision • May include a controlled graffiti area. • Would be free and only charge a fee for special events. • Would require curfew discussions. • Would provide a place for musical outlets; bands, music practice, karaoke, ect. • Community Service Coordination Recreational /Birthday Party Facility • Would provide meeting and party rooms for rent. • Rooms would include TV, tables and chairs, sink, and wifi. • Would have birthday party packages. • Could be utilized as a destination location for school district field trips for district 833 and other Cities and Recreation Centers. • Would require well manicured grass. • Possibility of artificial turf for families with small children and seniors. • Facility to be staffed. • This would be a non - catering facility but would allow outside food to be brought in. • This facility should be unique to compete with other communities. • This facility may include climbing walls, tubes, slides and a toddler area. • This facility may include outdoor area for concerts and plays. Commercial Business Center • This concept would be similar to banquet/meeting facility. • Facility would require an upgraded kitchen for catering. • Facility would require a large multipurpose room with small breakout type rooms. • Facility would have flexible space options that could include moveable walls. • Possibility of an outdoor water feature. • This option would include a supply bay next to the kitchen with a separate entrance for unloading supplies with a possible turn around for easy drop offs from vehicles. • Included would be property screening from the tank farm — possibly a climbing wall. Banquet/ Meeting Facility • Restore the building to its original design. • Upgrade the kitchen to include catering options and self serve options. • Facility must have great curb appeal to draw the public in. • Facility requires a large open space to hold 50 -100 people. • Facility would be used for graduations, wedding /baby showers, birthday parties, business meeting, training, etc. • Facility would emphasize the outdoor opportunities that would include a garden, patio, chess tables, play structure, lawn bowling, picnic shelter, and /or speaking area. • Include expansion of current parking. • Facility could be used as a senior center during the day and rented to the community evenings and weekends. Cottage Grove Pool Building Design Meeting 3 1 P a g e Thiede requested RVK Architects provide a cost break down to include a dollar amount to restore the building to its original condition. Thiede would like to see a separate dollar amount for the play structure and upgraded kitchen. When this information is obtained consideration would be taken regarding what is in the best interest of the community to restore the building or tear it down. Then the information obtained could go to a vote, Thiede added. Burbank requested a time - frame for the decision pointing out the vacant pool poses a risk to the community. A request to have the costs ready to be presented at the January All Commission Meeting was made. Krumm stated he will try to develop the concepts to bring the bldg up to standards by this deadline. At the All Commission Meeting, some type of informal voting program may be used to further aid in evaluating the facility options. I DIN1911I.-N 0, IT Am Meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. Cottage Grove Pool Building Design Meeting 4 1 P a g e