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Home My WebLink About[06b] SHIP Grant, ParkletCouncil Agenda Item 6b crry orr s -n ir�Ha'n MEETING DATE: April 1, 2019 AGENDA ITEM: Parklet Proposal, SHIP Grant SUBMITTED BY: Administration and Community Development BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Stearns County Public Health and the Statewide Health Improvement Program Partnership (SHIP) are accepting applications for Mini -Grants due April 5, 2019. Grant priorities include Healthy Schools, Healthy Food in the Community, Active Living, Tobacco Free Living, Workplace Wellness and Healthcare. At this time, Stearns County has approximately $15,000 to award in mini -grants and anticipates the grant awards to be $2,000 to 3,000; however, that will depend on the number of projects and the amounts funded will be determined by the number of applications received and how those proposals align with Stearns County SHIP. Allison Dudek with Stearns County Public Health contacted city staff after College of St. Benedict/St. John's University Professor Matt Lindstrom proposed a pilot parklet in St. Joseph. A parklet repurposes part of the street into a public space for people. Parklets are intended to enhance the aesthetics of the streetscape, and increase public open space economically. Parklets provide amenities like seating, planting, bike parking, and art. Professor Lindstrom teaches who an urban studies class would incorporate the pilot parklet into his class curriculum where students would design the parklet and set-up. The grant requires a 10% match, which may be financial and/or in-kind. The grant application would be submitted by Professor Lindstrom with a match provided by the College. The proposed location of the parklet is downtown. For your consideration, a potential site could be in front of The Local Blend and The Middy where it would take 1.5 to 2 parking spaces. BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: None ATTACHMENTS: Example Parklets Street View of Proposed Location Proposed Location Map Why a Parklet/Why Not a Parklet Handout REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Parklet Proposal/Location r� slw� L4bi� -qqqq eq n iF" t Al. Google MINNESOTA ST W -lwv:..P ,.Q Why a Parklet? • What is a parklet? o A parklet is an innovative way to add gathering space to public streets. They are publicly accessible and open to all. o Example: The city of Saint Joseph, MN would be the perfect opportunity for a parklet, to be able to provide streetscape enhancements and provide amenities like seating, plantings, bicycle parking and or public art. The current location for the pilot study would be outside of the Local Blend, on the right side of West Minnesota Street. • Where are parklets located? o Parklets are installed in the space adjacent to the curb (often a parking or loading zone) and are designed as an extension of the sidewalk. o Example: The parklet would be taking 1 1/2 to 2 parking spaces on the right hand side of West Minnesota Street, starting from the alleyway to the edge of the second parking space • Who owns/maintains the parklet? o It depends, some parklets are funded and maintained by neighboring businesses, residents, or community organizations. While some are owned by the city. o Example: The city of Saint Joseph is supporting this parklet project through the work of students attending St. John's University. • What do parklets look like? o Most parklets have a distinctive design that incorporates seating, greenery, and or bike racks that accommodate unmet demand for public space in a vibrant neighborhood, retail corridor, or downtown. • Cost? o Costs vary depending on the parklet size and design. Simple designs can cost just a few thousand dollars for full installation. More elaborate ones can cost tens of thousands. The UCLA Complete Street Initiative estimates a parklet cost in Los Angeles (CA) ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 and takes about three days to install.3 In San Francisco, parklet cost is about $8,000 per converted parking space. o Encroachment Permit and maybe a Request for use of city -owned plazas? o Installation and Removal, also Storage 0 Minimum Requirements o ADA Compliant (Accessible from sidewalk, space for wheelchair to turn around o Platform flush with sidewalk using slip resistant materials o Curbside drainage not blocked o Platform (extension of the sidewalk/structural base for the parklet) meets intended use o Publicly Accessible with sign indicated public space o Must include a continuous physical barrier along the three street edges o Not wider than 6' and no longer than 32' o Sidewalk facing edge must be open to pedestrians o Must have vertical elements to be visible to passing vehicles o Constructed of durable, quality materials o Public Works will provide wheel stops and flexible posts for each Parklet approved by Public Works, additional traffic devices may be required. o Must maintain clear, unobstructed sightlines to and from the street o Located in streets where traffic speeds are 30 mph or less • Design and materials? o Design: ADA accessibility, the platform (structural base of the parklet), the enclosure, drainage, traffic control devices, public parklet signage, proximity to catch basins, proximity to bus stops. o Design Amenities: Seating, vegetation, bicycle parking, local art. o Platform Surface Materials: Stone, Wood, Concrete, Synthetic, Metal, Combination. *The parklet needs to have a seamless connection to the existing curb to meet ADA requirements. • Installation/Removal? o Create a timeline for how long the parklet should be out for public use (May -October?) o Find storage space for all materials in the winter months Why a parklet? While parklets are foremost intended as assets for the community, their presence has also been shown to increase foot traffic, and in some cases revenues for adjacent businesses. For example, The Green Line Cafe in Philadelphia saw a 20% increase in revenue and the Mojo Cafe in San Francisco experienced a 30% increase in bicycle and pedestrian traffic after parklet installation. So, a potential economic boost for small businesses and getting community members to have a place to sit, chat, and engage in all downtown Saint Joseph has to offer? Sounds like a parklet would be beneficial for this community. They are miniature parks, funded, designed, built, and maintained by the applicant so there is no cost to taxpayers. Parklets also prioritize the pedestrian experience and aim to improve the overall neighborhood vibe, often with the addition of bicycle racks, public art, and seating. Why not a parklet? The parklet would be taking away up to two vehicle parking spaces, and the city of Saint Joseph is already faces lack of available vehicle parking. Also, parklets are open to the public 24 hours a day, which has some residents worried they will become hotspots for homelessness, illegal activity, and general late-night rowdiness. More Parklet Info: Minneapolis 2017 survey results of 5 businesses who hosted public parklets: Reported zero crashes and one hundred percent of them recommend parklets to another business or organization. htt: //www. minneaolismn.gov/www/grou s/public/�ublicworks/documents/webcontent/wcros p-217592. pdf Minneapolis has a wonderfully laid out Parklet application manual htW: //www. ci. minneapolis. mn. us/www/groins/public&clerk/documents/webcontent/wcrosl- 137633. pdf