HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05] Parklet Proposal
Council Agenda Item 5
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Parklet Proposal
SUBMITTED BY: Community Development
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consider approval of the parklet,
including location and city ownership
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City Council considered applying for SHIP grants for a parklet,
and a Bike Share Program in the spring of 2019. At that time, the City Council approved applying for a
Bike Share Program only.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Prior to COVID-19 and especially after the pandemic arrived,
cities and towns across the world are finding new ways to create placemaking while improving safety and
enhancing economic and social engagement. There are no silver bullets for this but one typically
inexpensive popular tool are parklets. While there are an infinite number of forms and design options, a
parklet is a repurposing of a parking spot into a public space for people. Parklets are intended to enhance
the aesthetics of the streetscape and increase public open space. Parklets provide amenities like seating,
plantings, bike parking, and public art. They are simple but have multiple and diverse positive impacts.
This past spring, City staff members, Therese Haffner and Kris Ambuehl, worked with Allison Dudek of
Stearns County Public Health and urban planning students from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s
University and Matt Lindstrom, their professor and St. Joseph resident. Seven student teams studied St.
Joseph’s pedestrian, bicycle, and public space infrastructure and the values and visions adopted in the St.
Joseph Comprehensive Plan. On March 12, 2020, the students presented their research and proposals to
Kris, Therese, and several downtown business owners and residents. Several proposals related to
enhancing public spaces and placemaking through parklets. City Planning Intern Josh Storms did
additional research on parklet design and implementation.
During the first week of June, eighteen downtown businesses were notified about this initiative and asked
their opinion. The St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau heard back from thirteen, 100% of
respondents support the idea of downtown parklets.
The City could receive up to $1,000 in grant funding from Stearns County Public Health through the
Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). The Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy and
Civic Engagement would contribute in-kind labor and matching funds up to $1,000. The intention is to
use these funds and potentially other public and private sources, to design and build a parklet on College
Ave. N near Krewe and/or another parklet could be installed on Minnesota St. W near Local Blend
pending budget and implementation design requirements. Parklet signage would note that this is a public
space, not additional dining spaces reserved only for customers of any private businesses. Through further
stakeholder involvement and design, it is the intention that the parklet will be attractive, safe, require
limited maintenance and be removed in late October.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: In-kind. Public Works Department would water plantings,
empty garbage and install and remove structure.
ATTACHMENTS: Parklet Liability & Design Research prepared by Matt Lindstrom
Parklet Design and Description pamphlet
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Consider approving the Parklet Proposal, including location,
ownership of the parklet, and contingent of a SHIP grant award of $1,000 and matching funds from the
Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy.
As the following examples illustrate, parklet designs are very diverse.
First Three Photos are of
existing Parklets in Minneapolis
Vancouver
Sykesville, Maryland
Denver
San Francisco
NOTES REGARDING PARKLET LIABILITY AND DESIGN STANDARDS
6/10/2020 Telephone conversation with Rushford, MN, Mayor Terri Benson and Matt Lindstrom
News story about their parklet: https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Rushford-building-Minnesotas-
first-parklet-on-a-state-highway.html
Notes: There parklet was privately funded and built. It is assembled, removed and stored by city public
works staff. The city assume liability like a sidewalk or city park. Their parklet takes two parking spots in
front of a coffee shop. Coffee shop owner initiated the process and loves the increased public space.
No concern about losing two parking spots.
Mayor Benson recommends a pilot study approach with a relatively simple yet attractive and durable
parklet design. She feels their parklet might be a bit too complicated and thus expensive ($6,000 private
dollars were spent on the Rushford parklet). Since the city owns the parklet, the city could move it in
the future.
“The response has been very positive. People say it’s cool a small town has this. It is viewed as an asset
rather than a liability –and I am an insurance agent by profession.”
Mayor Benson said I could share this information and said she is willing to speak with anyone. She can
be reached at 507 429 0949.
6/10/2020 Email exchange with Rushford City Administrator Tony Chladek and Matt Lindstrom
Matt Lindstrom: “Did adding the parklet impact the cost of the City’s insurance?”
City Administrator Chladek: “No, it didn’t increase the city’s liability. It falls under that same category as
parks and public venues in general.”
IDEAS FOR DESIGN STANDARDS (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS)
https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/reclaiming_the_right_of_way_brozen.pdf
The city (San Francisco) evaluates the viability of a parklet location on a case-by-case basis, using the
following criteria:
• Lack of public space in the surrounding neighborhood,
• Preexisting community support for public space at the location,
• Surrounding uses that can attract people to the space,
• Identified community or business steward,
• Not blocking a fire hydrant or bus stop,
• Generally not located on a corner or on the City’s five year paving plan,
• Slope of the street is less than 5% grade.
The city recommends the following general design guidelines:
Parklet should be easily accessible from the sidewalk,
• Some landscaping is expected,
• Parklet should be visually permeable to enable people to rest and experience the street off the
sidewalk,
• Parklet should conform to ADA access guidelines.
Parklet must be open to the public and display two standard signs (per city template) stating “public
parklet,”
• Should feel public and be devoid of cues (e.g. umbrellas and condiment bottles on tables) that signify
that the space’s primary function is for commercial activity,
• Seating should be included and any removable furniture must be distinct from those of restaurants.
Montreal:
Additionally, the permit guidelines detail the following design requirements:
• Terraces must have a guardrail along the entire perimeter (except 1.8 m. entry).
• Planter boxes must be provided along the two end-sides with a minimum weight of 75 kg. (165 lb.) and
a minimum height of 0.5 m. (1.65 ft.). These boxes act as bollards to protect against parking maneuvers.
Boxes must be planted with flowering plants (perennials or annuals).
• Hedges (between 1-1.5 m. / 3.3-4.9 ft.) are required along the entire length along the street and
parking sides. A list of accepted shrubs to compose the hedge is provided in the guidelines.
• Alternative planting requires a proposal to be submitted to Public Works.
• Floor of the terrace to be at the same level over its entire area, taking into account the crown of the
road. Floor should be constructed of wooden slats or plywood with a smooth surface of a natural wood
color.
• Railings should be constructed of metal (painted black) or wood.
• Furniture should not be constructed of or contain PVC; it should be sturdy, durable, and designed to
be outdoors.
• No sound amplification system is permitted.
• No heating system is permitted.
• No vinyl, canvas, cloth attached to the railings is allowed.
• No advertising on the terrace is allowed.
• Umbrellas must not carry advertising, must not extend past the terrace, must not affect visibility of
signage, and must be secured to withstand wind stresses.
Denver
http://www.interboropartners.com/projects/ad-bloc
Stumbled across this company that makes these building blocks for parklets. Although they are not as aesthetically pleasing, I
thought it was an interesting concept.
Barriers between parklet and parking spaces will be needed.
The space could be very simple and still make a great impact.
Signage noting that the space is open to the public and is not a part of any specific business will be essential.
Seattle Parklet Handbook (This document has guidance and measurements around placement in parking space, size of space,
building up to the curb, etc. that may be helpful.)
https://wordpressstorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/wp-media/wp-
content/uploads/sites/770/2019/04/Parklet_Handbook_DIN_2.pdf
Although this article below doesn’t share much, it reminded me of the importance of making sure our parklet is more than just
outdoor seating.
https://www.mkthink.com/2016/08/23/putting-the-park-back-in-parklet/
This photo guide shares a few unique ideas that we could look into. I love swings that were incorporated into one. The
community painted tiles is another great idea and could be incorporated into a ribbon cutting/opening day type of thing.
http://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/photos-a-guide-to-seattles-ittiest-bittiest-teeniest-tiniest-parklets#photo-1