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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Only 091024AGENDA INFORMATION UPDATE September 10, 2024 5:00 PM, I.Information Update I.A Work session follow-up memo: Armory Hall Concept Review Armory Hall Follow-Up Memo_August 19 work session.docx 1 1 FOLLOW-UP MEMORANDUM CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION WORK SESSION MEETING DATE:August 19, 2024 FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE:August 23, 2024 AGENDA TOPIC:Armory Hall Remodel & Reuse: Concept Review PRESENTED BY:Jennifer Phelan COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Torre, Bill Guth, John Doyle, Sam Rose, and Ward Hauenstein (virtual) ______________________________________________________________________ WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Staff and the consultant team provided a summary of two design concepts for the programming of Armory Hall and discussed the public engagementwork undertaken bystaff and consultant teams since 2022 that informed the conceptual programming. Program 1 was identified as ‘Food Hall Centric’, while concept 2 was identified as A Mix of Uses. Staff and the consultant team requested direction on: 1) programming of Armory Hall, 2) location and size of a visitor center, 3) an enlarged parkway, and 4) building facade treatment. After the presentation and discussion, Council provided the following direction: Topic: Programming of Armory Hall 1.Confirm which programming option is preferred, generally, and key features that should or should not be included. Council majority consensus: Concept 2, A Mix of Uses, is the preferred concept allowing for food, flex space, retail, and other potential uses. The number of food vendors was discussed, with five being identified as a baseline. The design team was asked to consider adding more programming to cater to different ages and be more family friendly. Interest in a game component was noted and reconsideration of the number of bars needed, as well as bathroom location and back of house needs. One Councilor noted a preference for the upper level to be a community hall and noted lack of meeting spaces in all sizes. Some comments touched on affordability of offerings based on floor level location, overall rental rate, as well as the concern of directly competing with other, existing vendors. 2. Location and Size of a Visitor Center. Council majority consensus: In general terms, Council noted that a visitor center should be on-site and further consideration of size and location is necessary. Some 2 comments made include: a visitor center can add vitality, a pre-fab building might work, and a smaller kiosk sized footprint is preferred. Staff and the design team will continue to consider how a visitor center can work with the other building uses both in location and size. 3.Consideration of an Enlarged Parkway. Council majority consensus: Council members support an expanded parkway, with the potential removal of some on-street parking. Activation along this façade is important as well as the connection to Conner Park with the ability to create an indoor/outdoor environment. There is support for an expanded, interactive light well. The space should be able to be used by anybody. 4. Façade Treatment. Council majority consensus: Council members support opening up the façade of the building to allow for light into the building and connect the interior to the outside and vice versa. NEXT STEPS: The consultant team intends to progress the schematic design. To meet that goal, the following actions were proposed: 1. Schematic Design progress review on October 8th. The design team will progress Concept 2 based on feedback provided and present changes and a further developed plan on October 8 th. 2. Addition of a CMa/GC for cost estimating.Development of an RFP and consideration of when to issue it will be progressed, with an update on October 8th. 3. Operating Budget Update.Based on programming direction an operating budget will updated and discussed at October 8th, as well as how to move forward with proforma development. 4. Operator RFP.Further discussion on the form of management and how to proceed, based on August 19th discussion, will be discussed on October 8 th. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: 3