Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9B - Kop Farm /City Hall Bldgs MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT August 15,2005 i\~~ :~ank Boyles, City Manag~f\ ~ CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT RECOMMENDING HOW TO COMMEMORATE THE NAUCK I FELIX I KOP FARM AND THE CITY HALL / SCHOOL BUILDING Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to reach a final determination regarding how best to commemorate the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm and the City Hall / School Building. History The City Council, in accordance with the 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan, desires to retain the small town values and sense of community history in Prior Lake. Accordingly staff was directed to prepare a report outlining how the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm and old city hall / school building could be honored. At the July 18 meeting, the City Council received a report with sketches from Jeff Oertel Architects outlining various options which could be pursued for each building. A copy of that report and the sketches is attached for your information. At the meeting the Council asked Mr. Oertel to further refine two concepts - one each for the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm and the city hall / school building Current Circumstances Attached is a supplemental report from Mr. Oertel dated August 10, 2005. Nauck / Felix / KOD Mr. Oertel recommends Option #2, which retains the building in its existing location and utilizes the fieldstone footings (if possible), a seat-height brick wall except at the entrance, and installation of tubular steel joists which provide an outline of the original building's length, width and height. The estimated cost for this work alone is $85,000. This structure could be enhanced by plantings (both ground and hanging). It may be that the Garden Club would volunteer to maintain this site in lieu of the garden at the City Hall building. We also suggest that the windmill be preserved as well as the original downtown gas light. A parking lot would fit nicely in the approximate location of the metal pole building. Community gardens could be developed on the property as well. There are two or three locations on the property which, due to elevation, provide outstanding vistas from which to view the remainder of Lakefront Park to the south, west and north. Picnic tables and/or shelters would make this a great family location. The picnic areas could be tied together with the trail system. This property stands at a hub of the trail system connecting to Downtown on the south, the natural portion of Lakefront www.cityofpriorlake.com 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2005\081505 pW~g~9'g~~JIfa2:31(J 'K1p~~ ~51~?1Wf!a~45 ISSUES: FINANCIAL IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: Park on the west and the finished portion of the park on the north. The coordinated development of the Kop property as outlined above does not preclude a water park. Sufficient land would be available for this purpose in one of two locations: 1) in the vicinity of the skate park, and 2) south of the tennis courts adjacent to the Kop property. Citv Hall / School BuildinQ Mr. Oertel suggests that the City display artifacts and pictures in the new City Hall and create a historic document for reading and display purposes. Wall segments in the entry area have been designated for this purpose. By the same token, one wall each in the community / training room and the Council conference room could be well-suited for such a display. We will solicit artifacts and pictures from Prior Lake residents for display purposes. Staff would like to work with a resident committee on this topic. The idea of a historical publication is also a good one. Staff would recommend, for this effort to be successful, that we retain an individual for this purpose. That individual would interview Prior Lake residents including those who attended the August 1, 2005, city hall / school building commemoration. The contents of the book would include the topics outlined by Mr. Oertel and identified by the resident committee. The central question is whether the Council believes these proposals sufficiently commemorate these important historic sites. The Council should advise the staff accordingly. The complete financial impact is unknown at this time. Mr. Oertel estimates $85,000 for the building portion of the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm. The cost of picnic shelters, trails, community garden and parking lot would be considerably more. Mr. Oertel has estimated $15,000 to $25,000 for the publication alone. Staff would like to move forward with the Nauck / Felix / Kop building project immediately. It is our intent to obtain these funds through community contributions. The other portions of this project can be incorporated in the 2007- 2011 Capital Improvement Program. The City Hall project can be initiated once we move into the new building. 1. Direct the staff to proceed with Option #2 immediately for the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm. 2. Direct the staff to prepare a site plan for the Nauck / Felix / Kop farm property showing the amenities it is proposed to contain for capital planning purposes. 3. Establish a community committee to work with staff when the new city hall opens to erect historical displays and a publication within the public portions of the building. RECOMMENDED Alternatives 1 through 3. MOTION: I\COUNCIL',!\GNRPTS\2005\081505 commemorate Kop fann and hall . OERTEL ARCHITECTS 1795 SAINT CLAIR A VENUE, SAINT PAUL, MN 55105 TEL: 651/696-5186 FAJ(:651/6~5188 August 10, 2005 Mr. Frank Boyles, City Manager City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 RE: Further options for City Hall / School site and Kop farm site Dear Mr. Boyles, It was a pleasure to meet with Council and discuss options for the two sites. Per Council's request, I have given additional thought to their preferences, and have provided more detail, as noted below. Kop Farmhouse: Council indicated a preference for the previous Option B, which was to retain and/or relocate the lower portion of the brick wall and to create a new trellis or framework in the general shape or form of the original farmhouse. There was much less interest in a restoration of the property or in designing a new, smaller monument. I updated my estimate for the costs in developing / building this option, and these costs are divided into three new options for consideration by council. Note that the following costs include work directly related to the structure, and do not include demolition of the barns/outbuildings, site clearing, tree removal, new pathways, signage and associated site work. In addition, costs for any potential bidding or permits are not included. Option 1: Retain the existing lower masonry wall and foundation, demolish the additions and upper walls / floors of the structure, restore the brickwork (without trellis): Earthwork / demolition: Masonry repair: Soft costs: Contingency: Total estimate: $35,000.00 $15,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 6,000.00 $61,000.00 1 Option 2: Retain the existing lower masonry wall and foundation, demolish the additions and upper walls / floors of the structure, restore the brickwork and build a new steel framework/trellis, painted: Earthwork / demolition: Masonry repair: Steel framing, painted: Soft costs: Contingency: Total estimate: $35,000.00 $15,000.00 $22,000.00 $ 7,000.00 $ 6,000.00 $85,000.00 Option 3: Remove and relocate the masonry work, build a new lower masonry wall and associated footings, demolish the balance of the existing structure, restore the brickwork and build a new steel framework/trellis, painted: Earthwork /selective demolition: Masonry rebuilding and foundation: Steel framing, painted: Soft costs: Contingency: Total estimate: $ 35,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 22,000.00 $ 9,000.00 $ 8,000.00 $104,000.00 Concerning the location of this structure, I reviewed the proposed re-alignment and new intersection at Main Avenue (which will impact portions ofthe Kop farmstead property). It appears from the proposed Bonestroo layout that the farmhouse will be outside ofthe roadwork and utility work. Based on preliminary drawings, the east side of the house is approximately 75 feet west of the proposed new road, with a difference in elevation of approximately 12 feet above the proposed road and pathway. Concerning the location of a feature structure, as discussed with council, the current location of the house is close to ideal. The hillside location is highly visible from the main intersection and, since this was the same elevated site selected by the original builder, it provides an authenticity to the experience. It also is less costly than relocating the structure elsewhere on the property. On August 8, I reviewed the site with city staff and it was a consensus conclusion that the existing location of the house would work well relative to the new intersection from both a visual and accessible standpoint. Consequently, I can recommend option 2 as a viable and exciting means of commemorating the property. Considering corresponding potentials for the entire parcel of land, the benefits to the community are great. City Hall / School Concerning the city hall site, council did not favor saving or retaining portions of the building for a permanent monument (and I agree with their assessment). Instead, documenting the history and meaning of the school/city hall was of interest. Therefore, I am offering a series of thoughts in regard to this. 2 t. - OERTEL ARCHITECTS 1795 SAINT CLAIR AVENUE, SAINT PAUL, MN 55105 TEL: 651/696-5186 FAX: 651/6%-5188 July 10, 2005 Mr. Frank Boyles, City Manager City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 RE: Options for City Hall! School site and Kop farm site Dear Mr Boyles, Per our discussion, you advised that alternatives were being considered for each of the sites. In the case of the farm site, the old house on the property is in deteriorating condition, and the original brick farmhouse has had a number of additions and alterations. In the case of the existing city hall / fonner school, a new city hall is being planned and the existing building is no longer needed by the city. Although there are a number of options (including demolition) I am offering three options for each. I have included some cost estimates for each option. I would be glad to refme these estimates if the council would specify which options they believe are more appropriate for further investigation. Attached are some observations, along with related sketches for several of the options, to give council a rough idea of what we are proposing. Kop Farmhouse: The condition of the farmhouse is such that it is in need of repair. The masonry is repairable, but costly, and a good deal of work would be required if restoration / rehabilitation were considered desirable by council. A roof was recently added to the structure, the detail and finish of which are not quite restoration quality. It too needs replacement. The original farmhouse is a handsome and strong design, albeit simple and of cornmon vernacular style. We have been advised that a citizen in the community is preparing a history of the farm, and the 1880s construction makes this one of the earlier properties still intact in the city. The original structure is L-shaped in plan. The masonry structure has good lines and proportions, but the wood additions are in poor condition and are of no value. The interior has been completely remodeled, including the fireplace, and is of no historic value at all. 1 - ~<_H ,-____. H~ Essentially, within the past twenty years, the interior was gutted. Much of the original layout . and detail has been replaced. Option I-A: Restoration or Rehabilitation (refer to sketch I-A): If the wood additions were removed, the roof replaced (shingles, metal and deck) the masonry repaired (tuckpointed, rebuilt and secured), the windows repaired / replaced, and general repairs made to the rest of the structure, the property would serve as an attractive and worthwhile historic property. Although this structure could be relocated, I would hesitate to do so since the original placement, views and orientation are key to the historic nature of the property (the National Trust, incidently, considers the original location of a property key to its inherent historic value). Including selective demolition and repair, the cost to restore / rehabilitate this property would be approximately $200,000.00. Option B: Retain portions of the structure (refer to sketch I-B): An alternative to saving the entire structure would be to save the portion easiest to retain, the lower wall and foundation. The additions would be removed, the basement in-filled and the lower wall retained to serve as a sitting wall and a "footprint" of what was once erected. The area within the perimeter walls could be a flower garden or a sitting area, or it could contain a plaque commemorating the site. An option to this would be to create an open wooden trellis onto of the brick wall that was designed with the same lines of the original structure. The cost of this would range from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00. Option C: Create a small monument from the original wall (see sketch I-C): As the header above indicates, a portion of the wall could be retained and a plaque or a series of historic photographs of the historic property (secured and protected from weather) could be mounted on the site. This would give residents an idea of the way property looked like when it was a working farm, when the property was in better shape. The cost of this would be approximately $25,000.00. City Hall / School The new police station will be constructed on the existing city hall site. The original building was constructed in 1941 by the school district. The building served the school district from 1941 to 1964. Since 1965, the building has served as a village / city hall. Accordingly, the building has served as a central component in the development of Prior Lake. The existing city hall addition has no inherently-important style. The building as a whole would likely be more important symbolically, socially or emotionally, as opposed to a fme piece of architecture. The original school has some very nice, albeit simple, brickwork. If the city hall addition has any feature that is noteworthy, it would be the tower. Option 2-A: Retain a portion of the school wall and create a large monument (see sketch 2-A) 2 -....---..---,...-.-.. ~.........~---"'..,.."_.,~,._.__...,---_.. The majority ofthe structure could be removed and, as one example, the side entrance to the old school could be retained and designed into a monument that would include a sitting area, plaque and (perhaps) historic photographs and trellis. Not counting the demolition that would be necessary for the removal of the structure with the new city hall project, the cost of this would be approximately $30,000.00 to $40,000.00. Option 2-B: Retain the tower of the city hall: The tower has served as an icon to the community during the late twentieth century. Although no great work of architecture, the tower has a presence and could be reused as a symbolic gesture of the old building. Not counting the demolition work that would be necessary for the removal of the structure with the new city hall project, the cost of this would be approximately $25,000.00, perhaps more. Option 2-C: Reuse a small portion of the structure and create a monument on the city hall site: As noted, a small portion of the bricks could be retained after building demolition and a small plaque or monument could be constructed at the comer of the property. The cost of this could range from $6,000.00 to$lO,OOO.OO. I hope this will serve as a start to the discussion, with council, on what might be done with each of the properties. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call. - I can be available to discuss this with council at the next council meeting. Sincerely, OERTEL ARCHITECTS Jeffrey L. Oertel, AlA, CCS President 3 __M"~_'_,' .~.,,___+__...,._..~__., ""'~""""'.. ,~,,'"""" ,-..,., .._~.. ._,.., .tt- -', ~ ~ o p -\.- -\ C"\^. z.... .' ,,$/ - J . . [. . :.: Eli : - I I, * I . . J' I . t *l -. :.'. J . . I * * * . . . I. , l. 4 : I. . . - ( ~~..~_........"y.. ......--........-... ~.'~--1~..."--..".. .~... ...-- ....-.... ~ .... .. .., l ~. 1ft!,:;" ....t~ '.f ~ ~. . g~~~~~t "t $011..- .~:j,..,.~~ ....'. .',.... i: r:: ;:- -;>...;1' ~;ii ~..