Minneapolis Parks Foundation Resolution MPRB 9-21-2011 4-3-174REG
1. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
Resolution 2011 - 174
Resolution Approving a Partner Agreement with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and
Establishment of a Non-appointed Citizen’s Advisory Committee Process for Preliminary
Visioning and Implementation Study of the Waterworks Site in Downtown Minneapolis
Whereas, The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (“MPRB”) is authorized to contract with
public and private entities;
Whereas, The MPRB is the owner of a property known as the Waterworks site, formerly referred
to as the Fuji Ya site located at 420 1st Street South in downtown Minneapolis;
Whereas, The Waterworks site is current underutilized, especially given its downtown riverfront
location, prominent views, and historical and cultural significance;
Whereas, Until recently, the MPRB was unable to pursue enhancements on the site due to legal
actions;
Whereas, The MPRB, Minneapolis Parks Foundation (“Foundation”) and broader community
have a deep interest in enhancing the Waterworks site as a signature element of the
Minneapolis park system;
Whereas, The MPRB enjoys a close working relationship with the Foundation;
Whereas, The Foundation has secured funding, through a major donor, to support a preliminary
visioning and implementation study of the site that will explore a range of alternatives;
Whereas, The Foundation will contract with site design and park finance professionals;
Whereas, The MPRB supports the study and welcomes the Foundation as an active partner in
completing the study process; and
Whereas, The MPRB will facilitate a community engagement process for the project;
RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners approve a partner agreement with the
Foundation for preliminary visioning and implementation study of an area that includes the
Waterworks site generally from Portland Ave. to 3rd Ave. S. and from 1st Street S. to the
Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis;
RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners authorize a non-appointed citizens advisory
committee process for the project; and
RESOLVED, That the President and Secretary of the Board are authorized to take all necessary
administrative actions to implement this resolution.
2. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
Adopted by the Park & Recreation Board
In formal meeting assembled on September 21, 2011
______________________________
John Erwin, President
______________________________
Karen Robinson, Secretary
Approved:
_________________________________
R.T. Rybak, Mayor
3. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
TO: Planning Committee
FROM: Bruce Chamberlain, Assistant Superintendent for Planning Services
DATE: September 7, 2011
SUBJECT: Resolution approving a partner agreement with the Minneapolis Parks
Foundation and establishment of a non-appointed citizen’s advisory committee
process for preliminary visioning and implementation study of an area that
includes the Waterworks site generally from Portland Ave. to 3rd Ave. S. and from
1st Street S. to the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.
BACKGROUND
The Waterworks site (formerly referred to as the Fuji Ya site) in downtown Minneapolis offers an
exciting city-building opportunity. It is adjacent to West River Road and overlooks Saint Anthony
Falls with dramatic views up and down the Mississippi River. The property was once home to
the Fuji Ya restaurant, a beloved destination that afforded visitors a unique vantage point from
which to experience the power and spirit of the river. Further back in time, the site held one of
the many grain mills along the Minneapolis riverfront as well as a waterworks plant (thus the
newly minted Waterworks site name). Mill ruins still exist on the property – some exposed,
some buried and some contained within the restaurant building.
Since the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board purchased the property over two decades ago
to build West River Road, the site has been utilized for fee parking but not much more. Title
restrictions imposed by the State of Minnesota have not allowed the Park Board to put the
portion of the site unneeded for the parkway back into private use as originally intended. Now,
the vibrancy of downtown has exploded around the Waterworks site and the time to explore
exciting and bold alternative futures for public use of the site has arrived.
The Waterworks site has an opportunity to become a signature element of the Minneapolis Park
system and this belief has been embraced by the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. The Parks
Foundation has received a generous donation to conduct preliminary design visioning and an
implementation study for public use of the site. The study would explore alternative futures for
the Waterworks site that could include combinations of outdoor space, community gathering,
supportive enterprise and design innovation. The effort is viewed by the Foundation as an
opportunity to further the 21st Century Park vision for Minneapolis begun with the Minneapolis
Riverfront Design Competition.
The project is viewed by the Parks Foundation and Staff as a critical preliminary step in a reuse
strategy for the Waterworks site. It would be a relatively short-duration effort of three to four
months in length. Its primary intention is to explore multiple ideas for the site and test those
ideas for implementation feasibility and community excitement. If approved by the Board, the
Minneapolis Parks Foundation will enter into an agreement with the Park Board to collaborate
on the visioning and implementation study. Project responsibilities would be as follows:
4. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
The Foundation would:
Establish contractual relationships with consultants for completion of the
project.
Raise the full amount of funds necessary to complete the project and fully
compensate project consultants.
Work collaboratively with the Park Board to direct the work of project
consultants.
Actively participate in the community engagement process.
Work collaboratively with the Park Board on public relations and project
communication efforts.
The Park Board would:
Approve project consultant’s scope of work.
Organize and facilitate the community engagement process.
Review and approve interim and final deliverables prepared by project
consultants.
Work collaboratively with the Foundation on public relations and project
communications.
Provide the Foundation and project consultants with any pertinent
background materials, mapping, surveys, etc. in its possession.
LEGAL REVIEW
The Partner Agreement has been reviewed by MPRB legal counsel.
FUNDING/COST SUMMARY
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes this is an exciting first step in envisioning the future of the Waterworks site and its
pivotal role in bridging city and park. Because of the preliminary nature and short duration of the
project and to engage the broadest spectrum of the community staff recommends that a non-
appointed citizen’s advisory committee is well-suited to the effort. This approach will allow for
broad community engagement with the process and set the stage for a future, more in-depth
master planning effort where an appointed citizen’s advisory committee will be warranted.
Staff recommends approval of a partner agreement with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and
establishment of a non-appointed citizen’s advisory committee process for preliminary visioning
and implementation study of the Waterworks site in downtown Minneapolis.
RELATED BOARD ACTIONS
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Partner Agreement
6. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
Attachment A
MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD PROJECT PARTNER
AGREEMENT WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION FOR
PRELIMINARY VISIONING AND IMPLEMENTATION STUDY OF THE
WATERWORKS SITE IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS
THIS AGREEMENT, is made and entered into as of the ____ day of , 2011
by and between the MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD (the "MPRB") and
the MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION, a Minnesota non-profit corporation (the
"Foundation").
WHEREAS, the MPRB is the owner of a property known as the Waterworks site (the
“Site”), formerly referred to as the Fuji Ya site located at 420 1st Street South in downtown
Minneapolis;
WHEREAS, the Site is current underutilized given its downtown riverfront location,
prominent views, and historical and cultural significance;
WHEREAS, until recently, the MPRB was unable to pursue enhancements on the Site
due to legal actions;
WHEREAS, the MPRB, the Foundation and the broader community have a deep interest
in enhancing the Site as a signature element of the Minneapolis park system;
WHEREAS, the Foundation has secured funding, through a major donor, to support a
preliminary visioning and implementation study of the Site that will explore a range of
alternatives;
WHEREAS, the MPRB supports the study and welcomes the Foundation as an active
partner in completing the study process;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that:
Section I. Scope of Work
The project will include the creation of alternative uses and design concepts for the future
of the Site and an area around it generally between Portland Ave. and 3rd Ave. S. and 1st
Street S. and the Mississippi River and evaluation of those alternatives for their financial,
market and implementation feasibility. The work of the project will be conducted within
the context of a community engagement process where the ideas explored and project
outcomes will be informed by input from the general public through a non-appointed
Citizen Advisory Committee.
7. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
The project is considered a preliminary analysis of future possibilities for the Site and a
launching point for more in-depth design and programming conducted beyond the scope
of this Agreement.
Section II. Acknowledgement of Funds
With this agreement, the Foundation acknowledges that it possesses and has earmarked
funds necessary to fully compensate project consultants engaged to complete the project.
Section III. Responsibilities
The Foundation will:
Establish contractual relationships with consultants for completion of the
project.
Raise the full amount of funds necessary to complete the project and fully
compensate project consultants.
Work collaboratively with the MPRB to direct the work of project consultants.
Actively participate in the community engagement process.
Work collaboratively with the MPRB on public relations and project
communication efforts.
The MPRB will:
Approve project consultant’s scope of work.
Organize and facilitate the community engagement process.
Review and approve interim and final deliverables prepared by project
consultants.
Work collaboratively with the Foundation on public relations and project
communications.
Provide the Foundation and project consultants with any pertinent background
materials, mapping, surveys, etc. in its possession.
Section IV. Completion
The project is expected to take three to four months to complet This Agreement shall be
in full force and effect from the date first written above through February 29, 2012 unless
terminated earlier in accordance with Section VIII of this Agreement or extended
pursuant to Section IX of this Agreement.
Section V. Notices
Communication and details concerning this Agreement shall be directed to the following:
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:
Bruce Chamberlain, ASLA
Assistant Superintendent for Planning
2117 West River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55411
p. 612.230.6467
bchamberlain@minneapolisparks.org
Minneapolis Parks Foundation:
Cecily Hines, President
8. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
3954 Bryant Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
p. 612.822.2656
chines@mplsparksfoundation.org
Section VI. General Conditions
This Agreement is to be construed and governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota.
Section VII. Indemnification
The Foundation shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify the MPRB and its staff from
any and all claims, actions, suits, charges and judgments whatsoever that arise out of the
Foundation's performance or nonperformance of the services or subject matter called for
in this Agreement.
Section VIII. Termination
Either party may terminate this Agreement or any portion thereof, with or without cause,
by giving thirty (30) days prior written notice. Should the Agreement be terminated,
compensation of project consultants shall be the sole responsibility of the Foundation.
Section IX. Administrative Adjustments
The term of this Agreement may be extended for an additional period of six (6) months
provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the Term of this Agreement, the
party seeking such an extension has written approval from the other party for the
extension, such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
MINNEAPOLIS PARKS FOUNDATION
By
Its President
Date______________________________________
MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND
RECREATION BOARD
By
Its President
Date______________________________________
By ______
Its Secretary
Date______________________________________
