HPC Meeting Date: February 7, 2024
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Bridge Square Design and Plans Update.
Body
Action Requested:
No action is requested from the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) at this time.
Summary Report:
The MN State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) sent back positive comments (see attached) on the 60% plans, stating:
Based on our review of the submitted documentation, we are pleased to see that the design has been refined in response to comments received from our office, the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission, and Northfield community members. In our opinion, the current design is much more compatible with the forms of both Riverside Park and Bridge Square, and we have determined that the project, as currently proposed in the 60% construction documents, has been designed in accordance with the SOI Standards. We look forward to reviewing the 90% construction documents when they become available.
Staff and 106 Group are working with SHPO to clarify their concerns about Archaeological Resources. Specifically, SHPO is recommending additional investigation, but it is unclear if a Phase II evaluation or archaeological monitoring would meet their recommendation. Staff missed attaching the October 2023 Phase I Archaeology Report for the Bridge Sq. project, which may explain SHPOs initial comments on 106 Group’s deliverables. City staff and 106 Group are working to clarify this with SHPO and have sent them the current Phase I report.
Staff will update the HPC again when we have more comments back from SHPO.
*Same staff report from Dec. 6, 2023*
The City Council approved the final concept plan for Bridge Square on June 21, 2022 and hired Damon Farber to lead the design of the Bridge Square Improvements. Damon Farber and their team below, are about 60% complete and staff wanted to provide the HPC with an update on the project. The City Council received an update on 30% plans in August.
Prime Consultant / Landscape Architect - Damon Farber Landscape Architects
Subconsultant / Historic & Archeologic Review - 106 Group
Subconsultant / Design oversight - Bob Close and Bruce Jacobsen
Subconsultant / Civil Engineer - Bolton & Menk
Subconsultant / Electrical Engineer - Nelson Rudie Associates
Subconsultant / Lighting Design - Schuler & Shook
When the final concept plan was in the process of being developed, the City submitted the draft plan to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for their input per MN State Statute 138.665-666 and 138.40. SHPO responded with their letter dated May 6, 2022, attached. The input specifically directed the “Park” be separate from the “Square” and Water Street is what provides the separation. That is how the final concept plan was developed and approved.
The City is working with 106 Group to assist with the historical and archeological review of the Bridge Square site. 106 Group has completed initial subsurface site investigation and identified two historical items that have been further explored, this first is old Grist Mill and the second is the old surface of Bridge Square. 106 Group has performed further subsurface exploration to determine if any of the historical items are partially intact. See the attached report.
The 30% plan was submitted to SHPO and their comments dated July 14, 2023 are attached. The 60% Plans and the Phase 1 Archeological investigation is attached.
A presentation from Damon Farber and 106 Group will be part of a supplemental memo planned to be sent out on Monday, December 4, 2023.
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
Overall Project Costs are $5 Million.
Tentative Timelines:
ü August 8, 2017 Council adoption of Strategic Plan Summary (2018-2020)
ü October 9, 2018 and November 13, 2018 Council approved Resolution Establishing Riverfront Enhancement Committee and Mayoral Appointments
ü December 1, 2020 - Council resolution approving Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan
ü June 15, 2021 - Council approved Strategic Plan (2021-2024)
ü June 15, 2021 - Council approved motion to support park priorities within the Riverfront Action Plan to include Years 1 through 5.
ü October 12, 2021 - Council Update/Input on Draft Bridge Plan
ü October 12 - Nov 23, 2021 - Public Input on Bridge Square Plan
ü December 14, 2021 - Council - Collaborate and Refine Bridget Square Plan with Council
ü December 2021 - June 2022 - Board/Commission Input on Bridge Square and State Historic Preservation Office
ü June 14, 2022 - City Review of Final Concept Plan
ü June 21, 2022 - Adopt Final Concept Plan
ü November 1, 2022 - City Council approved professional Service Agreement for Phase 1 Final Design.
ü May 1, 2023 PRAB - 30% Plan Input
ü May 3, 2023 HPC - 30% Plan Input
ü May 8, 2023 ACC - 30% Plan Input
ü May 18, 2023 Planning Commission - 30% Plan Input
ü July 13, 2023 SHPO - 30% Plan Input
ü Aug. 8, 2023, City Council Plan Input
ü Dec. 6, 2023 HPC, 60% Plan Input
ü Dec. 11, 2023, Submit 60% Plans and Phase 1 Archeological Investigation to SHPO
ü Jan. 24, 2024, Received comments back from the SHPO