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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 - Park Plaza & Time Capsule / AGENDA NUMBER: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT : DATE: INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND: DISCUSSION: HERITAGE 1891 COMMUNITY 1991 18J$)( 2Q9/ 5 KAY SCHMUDLACH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER CONSIDER PARK AND PLAZA BRICK PROJECT (CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE) DECEMBER 17, 1990 On November 17, 1990, Pete Schenck, a member of the Prior Lake Centennial Committee, presented the City Council with a concept plan for a plaza in front of City Hall and a park development adjacent to the Wagon Bridge. Mr. Schenck discussed a plan for the Centennial committee to cover the cost of the plaza and park improvements through a fund raising project. The City Council agreed in concept to the plan and requested additional information. Mr. Schenck has prepared a detailed outline of the plaza and park improvement plan and the time capsule project. Mr. Schenck will be on hand to present additional details of the proposed improvements and to address questions. The Centennial Committee is requesting Council approval of the plaza and park proposal and authorization to activate a fund raising plan to cover the improvement costs. initiated a support the Centennial not only Centennial provides a Centennial The Centennial Committee has series of fund raisers to activities planned for the celebration in 1991. This idea provides needed revenue for the activities but, most im~ortantly it lasting reminder of Pr10r Lake's for all residents. The plaza and park improvement plans were prepared prior to the initiation of the Centennial Committee's fund raising effort. The plaza designs were prepared in 1986 at the time of the Citr Hall renovations. The plaza plans were not l.mplemented entirely because of costs. The Centennial Committee believes that the plaza as designed would be the perfect location for the Centennial time capsule. 4629 Dakota S1. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 RECOMMENDATION: ALTERNATIVES: ACTION REQUIRED: plans were prepared in purchased the property. launched a plan to sell costs of the land and The park improvement 1989 when the City City Manager Unmacht bricks to offset the improvements. The combination of the two projects will benefit the City for the following reasons. First, the fund raising or promotion of brick sales will be the responsibility of the Centennial Committee relieving City staff of the project. Second, the Centennial Committee will provide funds for the completion of the plaza and park improvements. Both projects are professionallr desi9ned and will greatly enhance the beautl.ficatl.on of City proJ?erty. Third, the Centennial Committee antic1pates usin9 the revenue to reduce or in some cases elim1nate the costs of some of the Centennial activities. The Centennial Committee believes funds may be remaining at the end of 1991. If this is the case, the Centennial Committee anticipates dedicating the funds to a specific project. The Centennial Committee recommends the City Council discuss the details of the Centennial ~laza and park projects, and modify the J?lans l.f necessary. The Centennial Comm1ttee recommends the City endorse the projects and authorize the Committee to initiate fund raising efforts. The Council alternatives are as follows: 1. The Council can review the plan and approve the plan as modified. 2. The Council can table the plan further discussion. for Motion to aJ?prove the J?lan and authorize fund raising act1vities is 1n order. Please note that Pete has made some changes in his report - review carefully prior to the meeting. Prior Lake Centennial Committee PARK AND PLAZA BRICK PROJECT 1. Goal The development of two areas of public use at no expense to the tax payer of Prior Lake. In addition to the development of these two areas, any additional funds will be set aside for use at a later date for a project or projects to be determined by the Prior Lake Centennial Committee and the Prior Lake City Council. 2. The Project Requirements The bricks should be acquired at the lowest possible cost with the greatest amount of quality. To date, two sample bricks have been provided, each with their own qualities as well as draw-backs. The cement brick is cheaper by nearly $.12 per brick, based on a 2,000 brick project results in a $2400.00 profit margin difference. The cement brick may be engraved but at a much greater cost than the clay brick. Initial research indicates that the cement brick will not last as long as clay brick. On the positive side, the cement brick will flow with the motif of the prior sidewalk/brick projects currently in place along Co. 21. The clay brick can be engraved before the actual firing of the brick resulting in the engraving actually being a part of the brick as opposed to an "add on". To provide quality lettering on the clay brick will require the acquisition of letter molds, possibly as many as three sets. All lettering in this mold will be upper case with each letter measuring 3/4" X 1/2". The size and location of the lettering will allow for 14 letters, per line, (one letter for each space) across two lines. The cost of the clay brick will remain constant no matter the quantity ordered. The City will be responsible for site acquisition and authorization. The City will also be responsible for the actual installation of the entire project as well as the costs for landscaping and any additional material expense. 3. Funding The funding that the city will receive to accomplish their responsibilities will be from any contribution from the Centennial Committee derived from Centennial Brick sales. Estimated gross sales from the sale of an estimated 856 bricks from the plaza project, at $25.00 per brick is $21,400.00. Estimated gross sales from the sale of bricks at the park near Wagon Wheel bridge based on 1,600 bricks Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -1- Prior Lake Centennial Committee PARK AND PLAZA BRICK PROJECT sold at $25.00 per brick is $40,000.00 resulting in a $61,400.00 total estimated gross income. Estimated costs for completion of both projects, based on $8500.00 on the plaza and $15500.00 on the park is $24,000.00. 4. Brick Eligibility Since this project was first proposed enthusiastic support has been received from many residents. It was initially thought that the bricks should be set for Prior Lake residents only, with only one brick permitted per family. This approach limited the scope and intent of the project and it is now recommended that the opportunity to purchase a brick be expanded to individual family members, organizations and businesses. It still remains to be determined if only those who reside in the City of Prior Lake would be eligible or expand it to anyone with a Prior Lake mailing address. In which case an estimated 10,000 bricks may be required and blue prints adjusted to reflect those changes. In order to accommodate the requests from individuals, businesses and organizations, the next option may be a solution. Initial indications are that more than 2,400 bricks will be purchased shortly after the project is begun. In order to accommodate all who wish to have their names etched in the future of Prior Lake, a "Walk of Names" can be added to the plaza out side of City Hall. Actual blue print design needs to be incorporated into the existing design. During a Centennial activity on the 7th of December, several residents expressed an interest in having a brick at each location. This type of request also needs to be examined. The bricks will be laid in random order, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions will be for the existing members of the City Council and Staff as well as members of the Prior Lake Centennial Committee. Those bricks will be presented, depending upon which location is selected, around the base of the time capsule and flag poles. 5. Brick Sales The initial idea is to promote this project in the various mediums currently in use by the City of Prior Lake, including, but not limited to Wave Lengths and the Prior Lake American. In addition to those resources, letters should be sent to each organization represented at the Prior Lake Info Expo and, if necessary, personal visits to Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -2- Prior Lake Centennial Committee PARK AND PLAZA BRICK PROJECT meetings of these the bricks appear promotion required minimal. organizations. As mentioned earlier, to be a self selling commodity and to sell the bricks is expected to be 6. Time Frame Allowing for two weeks to build both park projects and to have at least the plaza completed by June 1, 1991, the project needs to be approved now and promotion begun no later than January 2, 1991. All applications for the bricks must be received no later than April 1, 1991. A minimum of 8 weeks is required from the time the last order for a brick is submitted, to the time of the actual delivery to the Prior Lake City Hall. 7. Plaza and Park Names Since the project was conceived, the locations have been referred to as the park and the plaza. The "park" being by the Wagon Wheel Bridge and the "plaza" located outside City Hall by the flagpole. Now that the project has been "born" names need to be affixed to each location. As a suggestion, and in recognition of the scope of the project, as well as the work by the Volunteers of the Prior Lake Centennial Committee, it is recommended that the plaza project be named "Centennial Plaza". For the park project located along Co. 21 at the Wagon Wheel Bridge, "Volunteer Park" comes to mind in recognition of all of the hard work by all volunteers in the community. 7. Future Requirements (1) Determination of the type of brick to be used and the method used to inscribe the names upon the brick. Research tends toward the clay brick. Bickerstaff Clay Products, P.O. Box 1178, Columbus, Georgia 31993-0899 - Phone 205-291-0930 is the Committee's first choice. There are several factors which made this selection preferential. All contacts will be through Twin City Brick 890-1909. Next, a project similar to this was just completed by Bickerstaff in a city in Florida. Once the location of the Florida project is known, correspondence and possibly a personal visit should be initiated. They have the knowledge and they have the proven ability. Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -3- Prior Lake Centennial Committee PARK AND PLAZA BRICK PROJECT (2) Distribution and advertisement of the project to the residents of Prior Lake. (3) Blue print modification to reflect the time capsule space requirements as well as the "Walk of Names". (4 ) Purchase of Bickerstaff is the molds used thus resulting project. three sets of letter molds. If selected as the vendor of the bricks, on the Florida project will be used, in a cost savings to the entire (5) Purchase of time capsule, time capsule plaque, flags and related flag poles. (The $1,000 price difference from the plaza project to the park project is set to cover these expenses) . Authorization has been recei ved from the Centennial Committee to begin construction of the capsule. The estimated cost ($1,000.00) for the construction of the capsule plaque has not been accounted for in the original plaza project, nor the addition of the flag poles in the original blue print design. (6) Establishment of a construction time frame. (7) Establishment of a dedication date. (8) Naming of the park and plaza. CONCLUSIONS: This project represents a positive direction for the residents, organizations and businesses in Prior Lake to have a place in the City's history. All.. costs associated with this as well as the coordinated Time Capsule project will be at no cost to the tax payers of Prior Lake. Beyond these two projects, there are side benefits which will only be fully recognized upon the completion of both. This report represents more than six months of research and data collection and is respectively submitted by: pefkeP , \ ~ ( ~-. -.. (" -, ~'--'--Y- .~L->--~C~- Val Svela Centennial Committee Centennial Committee Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -4- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE 1. Goal The goal is to allow every resident, of the City of Prior Lake to contribute an item or a suggestion which will be encapsulated in history for the year 2091. 2. Project Requirements The time capsule will be placed in the plaza outside City Hall. This plaza will also consist of bricks with the names of residents, organizations, and businesses of Prior Lake. The sale of these bricks will be used to off-set the cost of the time capsule and the plaza development. The capsule will be constructed locally by Greg Benson, Owner / Operator of G. Benson Welding of Prior Lake at a cost of $1,000.00. Initial indications for a plaque and hardware used to attach the plaque to the capsule foundation is right around $1,000.00 which will also be covered through the Centennial Brick sales. The development of the plaza will be done by City Staff with the costs to be off-set by the sale of the Centennial Bricks. 3. Funding All costs associated with the time capsule, the contents of the time capsule, advertisement and treatment of the contents of the time capsule will be covered by proceeds from the Centennial Brick sales 4. Time Capsule Contents Every resident of Prior Lake will have the opportunity to be selected to place an item of relevance in the capsule. Each grade of school from Kindergarten thru 12th Grade will have one item encapsulated in history. One item only per family will be considered as well. Businesses, of historical interests to the way Prior Lake is in 1991, will also have an opportunity to contribute. The final determination made final by members Committee. of the of the actual Prior contents will be Lake Centennial Submitted Deoember 12, 1990 Page -1- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE The actual contents will be selected based upon strict guidelines relating to: (1) size, (2) material, (3) historical significance. Items contributed to the time capsule will be donations, and at no cost to the City of Prior Lake or the Centennial Committee. All items donated for encapsulation become the property of the Prior Lake Centennial Committee. The costs for the chemical treatment of all items in the capsule will be covered by Centennial Brick sales. 5. Time Frame Construction of the time capsule must begin in early 1991. The concept must be presented to the public during the first week of 1991 with special and personal presentations made to each school upon request. All applications for entries into the time capsule must be in the Centennial Committee I s hands by April 15, 1991. The final determination of the contents will be made on May 1, 1991. All contents selected to be encapsulated must be in the Centennial Committee I s hands by May 10, 1991. 6. Time Capsule Specifics Size - 24" X 24" X 36" Material - Heli-arc welded 14 - gauge, 316 stainless steel. Single wall construction. Deacidfication - Vapor Phase Deacidfication. HMT - Hexamethalyne Tetramine placed in a fine mesh cotton sack. - Oxygen evacuated and replaced with dry argon gas. Sealing - Viton Rubber Gasket (or polysulfide caulk) and an inert silicone grease around the perimeter of the portal. - Access cover held in place by 1/2 X 2" stainless steel hex-head cap screws on approximately 2" centers around the seal periphery. - Use an electric arc, not a gas flame, to seal the Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -2- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE container against air and moisture. Caution needs to be taken not to burn the items inside. 7. Time Capsule Contents More research is required before determining which items mayor not be selected. Photographs, essays, books, clothes, money and metal objects appear to be most suitable. Again size is a critical factor in the determination of items eventually selected. Certain plastic will be eliminated due to gas emissions during the decaying process. High tech items such as computer disks and video tapes may be selected however the technology that may be available in the 21st Century must be capable of reading or viewing the items contributed. Certain guidelines are available to start the project in the right direction. These guidelines are included in this discussion in order to make many concerns a matter of record. A. Items should not touch one another. This helps prevent color transfer and the migration of impurities in poor quality papers to other items. In addition, this will help prevent oxidation of the items should moisture be acc idently introduced into the container. (1) Books, plaques, etc should be wrapped in acid-free paper or placed in an acid-free envelope. (2) Acid-free paper must be placed between flat items such as posters, maps or other flat paper items. (3) Textile based material must have crumbled pieces of neutral pH, non-buffered paper or interweaving tissue in the folds to prevent creasing. (4) Coins and metals must be wrapped in tarnish proof paper used for storing silver. (5) Photographs should be placed in neutral pH, non-buffered envelopes or wrapped in neutral pH, non-buffered paper. If an envelope is used, place the photograph image side opposite the envelope seam. Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -3- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE (6) Color photographs fade rapidly, while color slides last quite well. B. Tape and adhesives are prohibited, including the adhesive used for sealing of envelopes. C. Place the heaviest items on the bottom. D. Only soft pencils are to be used to label items; no colored inks or felt tip markers. Typewritten labels and messages are okay. Do not use stick-on labels due to the chemical composition of the adhesive. E. Any empty spaces in the container need to be filled with crumpled acid-free paper or interleaving tissue. This will help prevent shifting and act as an absorbent of impurities and moisture. F. The time capsule end to be opened in 100 years needs to be marked with an indelible punch or engraver before filling. G. Plastics such as, video tapes will have some deterioration, no matter what precautions are taken. In addition, the use of video tapes is discouraged because the technology which is required to view the production may be obsolete in 100 years. Other plastics, specifically those made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) emit small amounts of hydrogen chloride gas which will be released as the plastics age. This hydrogen chloride gas will cause other items sealed in the capsule to deteriorate rapidly. H. Computer disks are okay to place inside the container, however, like video tapes, the technology required to access the data may be obsolete in 100 years. It is suggested that a written copy of the computer disks, including access instructions be included. I. Newsprint, unfortunately, deteriorates because it is made by an acid process. The paper will contin~e to self-destruct unless it is deacidified. The Minnesota Historical Society, which has provided much of the information for this project may be of assistance with the process. Another option would be Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -4- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE the photocopying of the newsprint on acid-free paper. J. Wood, especially oak, is discouraged. The natural tendency of wood is to emit acidic fumes which will cause other items, especially electronics, to begin a rapid deterioration process. K. The time capsule location should be dry and protected from extreme temperature fluctuations caused by the sun's heating. In addition caution is recommended to attempt to make the location as vibration free as possible. Due to the location of the Prior Lake Capsule, the vault should be lined with a material which will minimize the vibration levels due to the passage of vehicles along the roads surrounding the desired location. L. Silica Gel packets are recomnended to maintain humidity at a low level inside the capsule. The gel may be purchased at most art department stores. In order to improve the effectiveness of the gel, a low humidity environment at the time of the sealing is desired. M. Argon or Nitrogen gas should be introduced into the capsule after the oxygen has been evacuated. This process is almost essential and the self sealing vent valve is incorporated into the Prior Lake Capsule under construction. N. The handling of the items before placement into the capsule is important. The natural human oils contain impurities which are difficult to remove. These impurities tend to damage objects during the time that the items are dormant. Clean cotton gloves are recommended by anyone coming in contact with any objects to be placed in the capsule. O. All paints are prohibited. CONCLUSIONS: Much excitement over the time capsule project has been indicated by some City Officials, School Principals and many residents of Prior Lake. To say that this report is complete at this time would be a gross understatement. Research, to make sure that this project is successful will continue till the time the capsule becomes a part of the earth. This report forms the foundation of the research already conducted and allows us to proceed from this point forward to the 21st Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -5- Prior Lake Centennial Committee TIME CAPSULE Century. This report is submitted for Prior Lake City Council approval and/or recomendations by: pf!! !!dlJ ( -----. =-- ' --.." " ~a~ .~ ~~ c<---.-, Val Svela Centennial Committee Centennial Committe Submitted December 12, 1990 Page -6- Prior Lake City Council Update Park, Plaza and Time Capsule As time dictates, updates regarding the Centennial Brick Sales, Park and Plaza development, and Time Capsule progress. Under "normal" conditions, and after the 7th of January meeting, these updates will be a part of the Consent Agenda unless requested by the City Council for a personal appearance. In addition, tonight, and for the record, it must be known that this project was not a project which either Valor I created. Credit for the brick sales project remains with Dave Unmacht for the concept and Kay Schudlach for the expansion project as well as the encouragement to pursue a goal. The "leg work" is the only thing that we are doing at this point. First, an update to the projects status report submitted on 12/12/90 which you have as a part of your packet tonight. UGE .1 PARA 3 ~fter much discussion and research it was decided to go with the clay bricks. The cost of sand blasting the names into the bricks proved to be expensive and very time consuming. At this time scratch any discussion concerning a cement brick. PARA 4 The clay brick has been selected as the brick of choice despite the cost increase above the original estimate. With the assistance of Doug Frangos of Twin City Brick, 8035 West 125th Street, Minneapolis, Mn. 55378, a clay brick manufacture was located in Columbus, Georgia. The manufacture, Bickerstaff Clay Products was selected to handle this project for several reasons, p~rhaps the most important being that they are currently working on a similar project in Fort Meyers, Florida. We are currently in touch with both the Bickerstaff owners as well as the Fort Meyers, Florida City Staff in order to provide us with some proven guidance. For the Council/s information, the Fort Meyers project is to build a Civic Center through the sale of bricks. Each brick costs $30.00, so far 30,000 have been installed, and they can/t keep the bricks rolling in fast enough to meet the demand. Much of the future updates to the Council will be based upon findinqs in Fort Meyers. City Council Meeting 12/17/90 Page -1- PARA 6 .EAGE 2. PARA 1 Prior Lake City Council Update Park, Plaza and Time Capsule Funding - It appears to have been a premature mistake to mention any dollar and cents aspect to this project except to say that if the minimum brick sales of 2,400 is recognized, the funds will be on hand to cover the costs associated with the Plaza, Park and Time Capsule proposals. Here are the final costs of the brick purchase plan on brick purchase plan: Each brick, engraved and delivered to Twin City Brick, (Hwy 13 & 101, Savage) will cost the Prior Lake Centennial Committee $10.00. Each brick will be purchased for $25.00. This will help to off-set the construction costs, additional material requirements, time capsule costs and land purchase. This project must remain free and clear of any tax dollars. , Brick Eligibility - This project is very contagious in nature. What started out as an effort which would limit the number of brick sales to 2,400 now appears to be ready to expand to an unlimited amount. In order to accommodate all of the requests for the bricks thus far, it has been decided to offer the bricks to offer the purchase of a brick to any individual, organization, and business in Prior Lake. What needs to be solicited from the City Council tonight, are the opinions of the Council as to where to break off the eligibility requirements. For example: In other words, can a former resident purchase a brick? May a resident purchase a brick for a family member who maybe has never been to Prior Lake? May a brick be purchased in memory of a former resident of Prior Lake? Don I t laugh but, can pets have their name on a brick? City Counoil M~eting 12/17/90 Page -2- PARA 5 ~ .J. PARA 1 PARA 3 Prior Lake City Council Update Park, Plaza and Time Capsule What about officials who provide services to Prior Lake, such as Sheriff Bill Nevin, Governor ]..rnie Carlson, or President George Bush? Where to we eligibility? addresses, or are rendered? determine the boundary line for Is it the city lines, mailing where Prior Lake emergency services Brick Sales - In order to promote this project, we must make applications available for those persons interested and eligible to purchase. a brick. Personal contacts are the best yet unrealistic. Other ideas which will be incorporated into the plan is to have application forms available at City Hall, the License Bureau, and all banking facilities. ~ime Frame - The time frame remains as published for the plaza project. A recent idea came to mind, to allow a later time frame for the park project on Highway 21. This would allow for increased brick sales, allow for expansion of the project, (if needed to a third project such as Lake Front Park), and allow procrastinators and "snow birds" to be involved. This proposal still needs additional discussion. Plaza and Park Names - Tonight, names must be approvapproved for both the plaza and the park. Centennial Plaza, outside City Hall remains the name desired by the Centennial Committee. This name was selected in recognition of the work of the volunteers of the Centennial Committee, the fact that the plaza will be the sight for the time capsule, and finally because the project will be dedicated during our Centennial year. I would at this time like to seek City Council approval to have the name of the plaza development be "Centennial Park". City Council Meeting 12/17/90 Page -3- Prior Lake City Council Update Park, Plaza and Time Capsule The park project name in the original proposal was "Volunteer Park". The response to this name was less than enthusiastic. Several other names were proposed with the one receiving the best response being "Heritage Park". "Heritage Park" represents an expansion of the goals of the Centennial Committee, to leave behind for our descendants something good and positive. It also does not leave the impression that the names at that location are just the volunteers.. in Prior Lake. There wouldn' t be enough room for all the names anyway. At this time I would like City Council approval to name the park project along Highway 21, near the Wagon Wheel Bridge, as "Heritage Park". City Council Meeting 12/17/90 Page -4- Prior Lake City Council Update Park, Plaza and Time Capsule TIME CAPSULE The time capsule contract has been awarded to G. Benson Welding of Prior Lake. Greg Benson was selected over others available due to the local nature of his business as well as his enthusiasm of the project. Future meeting with Greg will allow the project to actually begin. At the present time we are in the process of writing to various professionals though out the country who can give us advice and possibly material to assure that the items left in the time capsule remain available for 100 years or more. We also a re working on an application form for those persons interested in inserting an item into the capsule. Once this form is developed, personal meetings will be arraigned at each school to discuss the rules and guidelines for items suggested. Future updates to the City Council concerning this project will be limited until the point at which the Centennial Committee begins it/s selection process of items for the time capsule. City Council Meeting 12/17/90 Page -5-