The presentation for open house #2 / community workshop: Concepts for a Future Bridge Square, Northfield MN: A community master planning update for 'Northfield's living room'

1. Concepts for a Future Bridge
Square
City of Northfield
Community Workshop/ Public Open House #2
Marcia A Klopf
December 9th, 2013

2. Agenda
1 Introductions
2 Planning Process and Schedule
3 Urban Design Analysis
4 Previous Planning
5 Design Precedents
6 Visioning
7 Next Steps

3. 1
Introductions

4. Introductions
Project Team
• John Slack, ASLA
• Griff Wigley
• Marcia A Klopf
Stantec
Wigley & Associates
Project Intern/ St. Olaf
City Staff Contact
• Joe Stapf, Northfield City Engineer

5. Introductions
Mayor’s Streetscape Task Force (MSTF)
• Hayes Scriven
• Ross Currier
• Dan Bergeson
• Robert Will
• Steve Edwins
See Stakeholders Webpage at
http://northfieldcitizenengagement.org/bridgesquare/stakeholders/
Special thanks to Northfield Historical Society for
providing all of the historic images you will see in
this presentation.

6. 2
The Planning Process
and Schedule

7. Planning Process
Public Input
• Transparent process to engage all stakeholders in
a meaningful dialogue about the future of Bridge
Square
• Use public face-to-face meetings and online tools
to both inform the community and learn their
needs, desires, ideas, and
feedback. Online tools will include:
•
Blog site, discussion threads
•
Online straw polls
•
Live web conferences
•
Ongoing updates via Twitter, Facebook,
text messages, email and local media websites
NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare

8. Planning Process
Design Process
• Understand the history of Bridge Square and the
role it plays in the community
• Define design precedents to see how other well
known/loved spaces function
• Engage in a civic discussion on the future of
Bridge Square
• Provide recommendations for the future design
and programming of Bridge Square

9. Planning Schedule
Tonight’s Meeting

10. Meeting Purpose
Goals and Objectives for this meeting
• Comprehensive understanding of “forces” that
affect Bridge Square
• Review public plazas/square case studies to see
how other spaces relate to Bridge Square
• Discuss positive and negative attributes about
Bridge Square
• Develop a “Vision” for the future of Bridge Square
• Generate and discuss ideas for the redesign of
Bridge Square

11. 3
Urban Design Analysis

12. Urban Design Analysis
Context
• Roadway
Classification
•
Gateway
Intersections
•
ADT’s
•
Parks/ Open
Spaces
•
Multi-modal
Routes
•
Historic
Commercial
District
•
Public/ Civic
Land Uses
•
Public Parking
•
5 Min. Walk

13. Urban Design Analysis
Site Parameters
• Built Form
•
Edges
•
“Hardscape”
•
“Softscape”
•
Canopy

14. Urban Design Analysis
Site Parameters
• Pedestrian
circulation/
access
•
Views
•
Infrastructure

15. Urban Design Analysis
Geometries
• Bridge
Square
boundary is
.96 acres
“Green” area
.34 Acres
-
30’ roadway
-
8’ parking lane and (2) 11’
drive lanes
-
(6) Parking Stalls
Water Street
-
23’ roadway
-
(3) Parking Stalls
90’
•
4th Street
150’
“No Name” Street
-
23’ roadway
-
8’ parking lane and 15’ drive lanes
-
(8) Parking Stalls

16. Urban Design Analysis
Existing Infrastructure
• (25)Trees
•
Flower Pots
•
Benches
•
Lighting
•
Fountain
•
Civil War Monument
•
Popcorn Wagon

17. Urban Design Analysis
Pedestrian Circulation
• Primary and
secondary
connections
•
Crossings
•
Pedestrian/ bike/
vehicular conflicts

18. Urban Design Analysis
Spatial Orientation
• General
guidelines for
human spatial
orientation
•
2’ - 4’ for
Personal Space
•
4’-12’ for Social
Space
Seating for show mobile event
approx. 75
Standing room
only gathering
approx. 95
people
Entire plaza
space approx.
275 people
Tents in
square
approx.
32

19. Historic Context
•
Period of Significance
• NPS Historic Register identifies a
timeframe of 1850-1924
• NPS Historic Preservation Nomination
Form identifies 1870s – 1970’s
• 1992 Historic Context No. 1 "Industrial
and Agricultural" context listing
identifies a time period of 1855-1945
•
HPC designated critical components of the
design that should be preserved:
• Protect the Open Space and flexibility,
• Respect the historic Edges of the
square
• Preserve the Circulation and access to
Bridge Square

20. NPS Rehabilitation Standards
From the Dept. of the Interior National Park Service's Secretary of
the Interior's
Standards and Guidelines for Preserving Cultural Landscapes
The governing STANDARDS include these: (6 of 8 total)
1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that
maximizes the retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces and
relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place
and use.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their
own right will be retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or
examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
6. The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine
the appropriate level of intervention needed.

21. NPS Rehabilitation Standards
An Approach of Preservation of an Historic Cultural Landscape includes
these GUIDLINES:
1. Identify, Retain, and Preserve Historic Materials and Features.
2. Stabilize and Protect Deteriorating Historic Features and Materials as
a Preliminary Measure.
3. Maintain Historic Features and Materials.
4. Repair Historic Features and Materials.
5. Limited Replacement in Kind of Extensively Deteriorated Portions of
Historic Features.

22. NPS Rehabilitation Standards
These are applied to the specifics of the property's Character Defining
Features by consideration of:
1. Topography
2. Vegetation and/or open space
3. Circulation
4. Water features
5. Structures, Furnishings, and Objects
6. Considerations for Accessibility, Environment, and Energy
Conservation

23. Bridge Square Maintenance/
Operations
Northfield Public Work Staff
• The mowing of Bridge Square is contracted
•
Weekly cost for mowing is $53.44 a week & an average once a week.
•
•
Average 20 to 24 wks.
Equates to Yearly $ $1,068.80 to $1,282,56
•
•
No current sprinkler system on Bridge Square
$250.00/ per year
•
$500.00 to $750.00 per year
• Some years the City will do annual grass seeding just to insure the
grass stays green
• Yearly mulching of the trees & Shrubs
• Maintenance of the Fountain yearly costs (Yearly startup &
shutdown, Weekly cleaning, Soaping, Paint.)
$1,500.00 to $2,000.00 per year
Flower planters ($950.00 Spring planting, Winter $ 500.00 per year)
•
•
• Yearly estimated 200 to 300 staff labor hours a year and approx.
$5,500 in costs.
•
Which might include snow removal, weekly cleaning & maintenance.

24. Bridge Square Maintenance/
Operations
Northfield Garden Club
•
Coordination of future plantings with City and on-going
maintenance
•
Additional soil and improved lawn areas
•
Need irrigation system
•
Need more seating
•
Discussions about programmed uses which may not “fit” within
Bridge Square
•
Fountain repair and maintenance
•
Flowers are critical to design and should remain

25. Programmed
events happen in
Bridge Square
each year.

26. Community Uses of Bridge Square
Annual Events
•
•
•
•
•
3rd Saturday in MayNorthfield Garden Club
Event
End of May/Early June- St.
Olaf College Events
Mid June- Taste of
Northfield
Early July- Milltown Cycles
Event
Mid July- New Prague
Band performance
•
•
•
•
•
•
Late July- Northfield
Chamber all day event
Thursdays in the SummerCommunity Band nights
Fridays in the SummerRiverwalk/Market Fair
Early September- Defeat
of Jesse James Days
Sept. 21- Day of Peace
Early October: St.
Dominics Event

27. Special Events
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
July 2011: Laura Baker
Event
August 2011: Outlaw Run
August 2012: Medin
New in early August 2013:
Vintage Band Festival
New in late August 2013:
ArtsCulture night
Art Swirl
Books and Stars
4th of July

28. Other Events
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Public Gatherings
Break dancing
Fundraising
Coffee/ Lunch
People Watching
Public Vigils
Picnics
Fishing
Garden Club events

29. 4
Previous Planning

30. 1916 Plan
Highlights
•
•
•
“Auto-centric” design
provides enhanced
circulation for
automobiles
Formalized landscape
treatments create
“showpiece”
Limited pedestrian
access and use of the
space

31. 1966 Plan
Highlights
•
•
•
•
•
Design shows
what the
Downtown and
Bridge Square
might look like in
1985
Mixed-use office
building along
the river
Urban plaza
Limited access to
the River
No relationship to
historic context
and edges

32. 1999 Plan
Highlights
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Multiple options
defined
Central Axis to
River
Ties two parcels
together
Fountain at front
entry
Central circular
plaza for
informal staging
Informal lawn
creates seating
area
Arbor structure
serves as
backdrop to
River

33. Northfield Roundtable Framework 2012

34. Northfield Roundtable Framework 2012
Highlights
• "Healthy Edges": The healthy edges should create the
best communication possible between Bridge Square
and the businesses that border it.
• Traffic: Streets that run along Bridge Square and whether it
would be a good idea to eliminate one of those to
expand the Square. Traffic and parking are important
design focuses for the project.
• Pedestrian: This brings to mind the importance of human
scale, as well as places to stay and sit throughout the
Square that will really draw people in to use it more.
• Greening: Green spaces in more of a
pattern. Landscaping can be used to bring attention to a
place and make it feel more inviting.

36. 5
Design Precedents

37. Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
•
•
Urban context
surrounded by
historic buildings;
Saint Paul Hotel, the
Landmark Center,
Ordway, and the
Downtown Library
Design is all about
the “EDGES”
Approx. 1.8 acres in
size

38. Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
Park has a fountain,
a bandstand, and
character
sculptures from the
Peanuts cartoons
and a man-made
ice rink during the
winter months

39. Rice Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
•
•
Allows for rental of
space with
electricity provided
Multiple planned
events throughout
year including
Monday Music in
the Parks, and
Winter Carnival
Due to the site’s
rich culture and
historical
significance, Rice
Park has been
honored as a
“Great Place in
America” by the
APA in 2011

40. Rice Park, St. Paul

41. Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts
•
•
•
•
•
Existing space located
between four streets
“Taming of an urban
space” in the
meatpacking district
Over 150 years of
“high” activity in this
space
Context sensitive
solution must respect
the district’s historic
fabric, pedestrian
generating destinations
and working character.
Approx. .12 acre in size

42. Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts
•
•
•
Design focused on
pedestrian
improvements on equal
ground with vehicle
traffic
Not much flexibility, as it
is in a fixed space
Plaza does have the
possibility of changing
its function through
what objects are
placed in the plaza
and support temporary
events

43. Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts
•
Provides needed traffic
calming

44. Ganesvoort Plaza, NYC
Facts
• text
• text

45. Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts
•
•
Located in the heart of
downtown between two
major hotels and adjacent to
Mayo
Approx. 1.09 acres in size (Peace
Plaza .41 Ac., and First Street Plaza .64 Ac.)

46. Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts
•
•
The plaza functions as
the heart of a
revitalized downtown
district; cohesive
gathering space
A seasonal, all weather
programming strategy;
emphasizing a lively mix
of downtown
businesses; lighten and
brighten the area; using
street exhibits, displays,
lighting, murals and
shopfronts

47. Peace Plaza, Rochester
Facts
•
•
•
Numerous events
throughout the year:
summer market,
noontime entertainment
(music and theater
performances), fall
fashion show
Summer Saturday night
Movie on the Plaza;
Corvettes on the Plaza;
Programming for the
Plaza almost every day

48. Peace Plaza, Rochester

49. University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
Facts
•
•
•
Gateway to the
University Circle District
of Cleveland, Ohio
Vibrant and active
social space for
students, campus
visitors, and patrons of
the adjacent
restaurants.
Approx. .2 acres in size

50. University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
Facts
•
The design raises the
plaza above the
surrounding sidewalks
to create an informal
stage and extensive
seating edges, framed
by a linear light feature
that meanders through
the existing tree
canopy.

51. University Circle Plaza, Cleveland

52. University Circle Plaza, Cleveland
Facts
• text
• text

53. Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
•
•
•
Located in historic
Lower Town
Originally known as
Baptist Hill in 1851 then
donated to the City as
a park and land was
leveled
Designed as a “calm
oasis surrounded by the
excitement of the big
city”
Approx. 3.1 acres

54. Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
•
•
A place for
entertainment, living
and hanging out
Park hosts numerous
events including: Music
in Mears, Twin Cities
Jazz Festival, and
Concrete and Grass
Music Festival
Rental events can
accommodate 200
guests

55. Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
•
•
Covered band shell
and meandering
stream running
diagonally through the
park
Native trees and
planting with a variety
of seating options
Volunteers know as the
Friends of Mears Park
maintain the gardens

56. Mears Park, St. Paul
Facts
•
….

57. 6
Visioning
What makes a great “Public Place”
•
•
•
•
The place is accessible and has linkages;
People are engaged in activities there;
The space is comfortable and has a good image;
It is sociable: one where people meet each other
and take people when they come to visit.

58. Visioning Exercise (75 minutes)
• At your table identify the opportunities and
problems/weaknesses of Bridge Square
(25 minutes)
• “Dotmocracy” (5 minutes)
• Identify your Vision for Bridge Square (45 minutes)
•
Part One: Document goals, strategies and benefits
•
Part Two: Draw site features and improvements to physical
space

59. Homework
• “PLACE” Game Sheet

60. 7
Next Steps
Schedule
• Live web conference (repeat of this open house):
December 11th, 7pm
•
•
•
•
“PLACE” Game Sheet
Online Straw Poll
Ongoing blog updates and discussions
Community Workshop #3: Late January/early February
2014
• Provide comments, or additional insights at...
NorthfieldCitizenEngagement.org/bridgesquare

61. Questions?