05-08-1996 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Creative Solutions for Land Planning and Design Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. April 30, 1996 Mr. Joel Hanson, City Administrator City of Little Canada 515 Little Canada Road Little Canada, Minnesota 55117 RE: Revised Work Program Rice Street/Little Canada Road Area Streetscape Design Dear Mr. Hanson: ®® As we now have a better understanding of the anticipated scope of work of the Rice Street/Little Canada Road Area Streetscape Design project, we have revised the Work Program that was included in our original proposal. The changes are intended to reflect concerns and desires expressed by the City Council, and result in a cost savings (as some work elements have eliminated). As we develop a more thorough understanding of the City's needs, the Work Program can continue to be adjusted. Based on what we know today, the following revised Work Program is submitted for the City's consideration: 1.0 Identify what exists... HKGi will begin to understand the forces influencing the project area and the elements of the corridor and the community that influence the design of Little Canada Road, Market Place Drive and Middle Street. While we might already know a great deal about the project area from previous work in the area, we will need to understand exactly how the streets and streetscape will "fit" the community. Our investigations at this stage of the project will help to ensure that the plan will be a strong reflection of the community's character. This stage of the work includes a tour of the project area with "local experts," which will provide us with physical and anecdotal information about the area. While we could walk the area on our own, the insight provided by a few "local experts" will provide us with direction that will focus our investigations to key issues. HKGi will review existing plans, studies, reports or other information that might be relevant to the project. We will rely on the City to provide information that might be important. City staff will be interviewed about current or anticipated plans, adjacent areas, likely opportunities, or areas that might present conflicts. Specific attention will be directed to assessing the City's ability to maintain improvements made as a part of this plan, and to direct the design of the streetscape to match desired or accepted levels of maintenance (by the City and by adjacent land and business owners). A separate meeting with Ramsey County will define their concerns relative to this project, and meetings with utility companies will lead to a thorough understanding of the impact of road and streetscape construction on their facilities. A meeting with the local Historical Society will help us to understand some of the past influences on the area, and how a design for the streetscape might reflect important aspects of the community's history. This factual information is intended to balance our observations of the project area and the anecdotal information gained through the tour. A base map will be compiled from information provided by the City as a part of this stage of 7300 Metro Boulevard, Suite 525, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439 (612) 835 -9960 Fax (612) 835 -3160 Page 6