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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 22, 2008 Page 3 period beginning June 2, 2008 with an anticipated opening of summer 2009. She stated this $14 million cost is the largest investment in a single project in the 50 year history of the Three Rivers Park District. She introduced key members of the project. 5 Mr. Chris Gear, Three Rivers Park District, provided a project overview on Silverwood Park. He 6 reported the total estimated construction and development costs are at approximately $14 7 million. He stated that about $1 million would be spent on a new maintenance facility, $6.5 8 million on the visitor's center, $4.5 million on general park improvements and miscellaneous 9 items make up the difference. 10 11 Mr. Michael Horn, Three Rivers Park District, provided updates and changes on the buildings 12 and the site plan for Silverwood Park. He displayed drawings and photos of the proposed 13 buildings. 14 15 Mr. Dennis Hahn, Three Rivers Park District, presented the building floor plans and the 16 anticipated uses. 17 18 Mr. Larry Blackstad, Three Rivers Park District, expressed the enthusiasm of everyone involved 19 with this project. He reported Silverwood Park would be operated and maintained by Three 20 Rivers. He reported the park would be fully staffed with recreation, education, public safety, and 21 maintenance personnel. He stated this would be a beautiful asset to St. Anthony. 22 23 Councilmember Thuesen commented that great thought was put into the 'Park. He questioned 24 whether cross-country skiing would be allowed in the park and if the trails would be groomed. 25 26 Mr. Hahn replied that an examination of the park for the ability to provide trails would be needed 27 first. He commented the cross-country skiers have been allowed in the park to date. He 28 explained bike trails, walking trails, and island access would be provided. He stated that the 29 open areas would probably be available for snow shoeing. 30 31 Councilmember Thuesen commented there is a great deal of open green space in the park and 32 questioned whether people would be discouraged from accessing these areas and kept to the 33 trails. 34 35 Mr. Hahn replied they hope to enhance the natural environment with plantings and create off - 36 trail educational experiences. 37 38 Councilmember Thuesen questioned how successful they have been with limiting the removal of 39 trees. 40 41 Mr. Horn replied the current plan calls for very few trees would be removed in the visitor's 42 center area. 43 44 Councilmember Stille questioned whether the visitor's center building would be LEED 45 (Leadership, Energy, Environmental Design( certified. 46 C!