On April 18, 2016 a Downtown Redevelopment Plan (Plan) was approved by the City Council.  The Plan included several conceptual options for a possible plaza design in the parking lot adjacent to the Rambling River Center (RRC).  The Plan specifically stated the following:   “Design and build a Rambling River Center Plaza in the open area west of the Rambling River Center and fronting onto Oak Street as a multi-functional plaza for daily informal uses as well as event uses, such as Dew Days and Dazzle Day.” All of the plaza concept options were reviewed and commented on by the Economic Development Authority, Park and Recreation Commission and Rambling River Center Advisory Board prior to the City Council approval.

On March 6, 2017 Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc (consultant) was hired by the City Council to develop a preferred concept plan for the design of a plaza adjacent to the Rambling River Center. 

Staff met with the consultant two times to provide initial input on the original design and then feedback on the draft design. Based on the staff input and feedback a two draft concept options were created. Both options are included in the meeting packet.

On April 27, 2017 an open house was held in City Hall to allow the public to view the two draft design concept options and then provide feedback to the consultant about what features they liked in the two options, what features they disliked and what other features they would like to add to the plaza design.  There were about 20 people who attended the open house.  The two draft design concept options were displayed in the City Hall lobby and were also accessible on the city’s website, which allowed additional time for gathering public input. The public was able to provide further feedback on the two plaza concept options through May 9, 2017. 

The Rambling River Center Advisory Board also had an opportunity to review the two options at its May 8, 2017 meeting  During the meeting the Rambling River Center Advisory Board  made a formal recommendation to the Commission that it preferred Concept B over Concept A.

Based on the comments received at the public open house, comments provided at City Hall and comments provided on-line, the public seemed to most favor the way Concept A was designed.  The Consultant will review during its presentation to the Commission, a preferred plaza concept plan that it developed based on the public's input.  The preferred plaza concept is included in your meeting packet. Several Commission members were in attendance at the open house and can provide additional information about the open house if they would like after the consultant's presentation.

It's important to note that no cost estimates have been provided for the preferred plaza concept. Once the preferred option is approved and the amenities are identified to be included in the plaza, the next step will be to create a construction budget cost estimate.

Commission members should come prepared to hear a presentation from the consultant about the RRC Plaza's preferred plaza concept.  After the presentation the Commission should have a discussion about the preferred plaza concept and then make a formal recommendation to the City Council concerning the approval of the preferred plaza concept.