Imagining a RiverWalk By David J. Laliberte V ic e -C h air , M is s is sip p i P ar t n e r s T u e sday, A p r il 1 4 , 2 0 1 5
Champions of the Mississippi River in the St. Cloud urban area Ecosystem Active Recreation Urban Tourism Development
The Mississippi River in Our Community St. Cloud Times Editorial Board St. Cloud Urban Area Mississippi River (Feb 19, 2015): Corridor Plan (2011): the river as an “respectful [and] smart “irreplaceable community asset” development” of the Action items: Riverfront promenade Amphitheater Mississippi riverfront Interconnected trails on river’s west shore City of St. Cloud’s Comprehensive Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s Plan (2014-2015): Community Priorities (2012-2015): “ greater attention to the “revitalize” the Mighty Mississippi Mississippi River ”
The Mississippi River in Other Communities La Crosse, WI — Downtown Riverwalk Winona, MN — Levee Park Dubuque, IA — Mississippi Riverwalk
Proposed RiverWalk
St. Cloud Hospital Wilson Park Hester Park Centennial Park Construction pending Cathedral H.S. Civic Center
Obstructed : Parked cars block river
Unsafe : Recreators, traffic side-by-side
Unattractive : “ D e facto” fishing area uninviting
Underappreciated : natural river vista unnoticed
Barren : riprap shoreline virtually denuded
Eroded : Remaining tree roots compromised
Pine Cone Road Trail Proposed Rotary RiverWalk — future St. Cloud Area Trails Overview
St. Cloud Hospital possible future trail connection to Sauk Rapids Wilson Park Phase 2 Proposed Hester Park Centennial RiverWalk Park Phase 1 Construction pending Cathedral H.S. River’s Edge Convention Center
RiverWalk: Rehabilitated shoreline, native plants Improves shoreline stability, wildlife habitat 10’ wide asphalt trail Water connections to Lake Wobegon, Treatment Plant Beaver Island Trails Wooden boardwalk Antique streetlights, benches Scenic river overlooks Sweeping vistas, benches, historic interpretative panels Fishing piers Riverside green space Public art, picnic area Cathedral football field Expansion possible Future amphitheatre/public gathering space?
Diagram adapted from City of St. Cloud’s Lake Wobegon Trail Planning Study, Jan 2014 25’ uninviting 36’ road shorefront (two-way traffic, parking both sides) 15’ riprap Maintained Weeds/ yard buffer gravel Mississippi River Public Right-of-Way Current 5 th Avenue, Looking North
Diagram adapted from City of St. Cloud’s Lake Wobegon Trail Planning Study, Jan 2014 Spectacular 40’ shorefront 10’ 8 ’ asphalt 20’ road boardwalk trail native (one-way traffic south, plants parking one side) 15’ 4 ’ grass/ 6’ grass/ Maintained flower flower yard buffer divider divider Mississippi River Proposed Conditions Public Right-of-Way Envisioned 5 th Avenue, Looking North
Side-by-side trail & boardwalk Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth, MN
10’ wide asphalt trail
Boardwalk with benches
Scenic overlooks
Fishing piers
Public art, historic & interpretative panels
Rotary riverside branding
Possible riverside amphitheatre Lake Hills Amphitheatre, St. John, Indiana
Rehabilitated shoreline — native plantings
Rehabilitated shoreline (Lake George — before)
Rehabilitated shoreline (Lake George — AFTER)
Rehabilitated shoreline (Sauk River — before)
Rehabilitated shoreline (Sauk River — AFTER)
Rain gardens
Events & programming — on the water Rowing Races Governor’s Fishing Opener Canoe & Kayak Rentals Waterski shows
Events & programming — on the water Pumpkin Contest & Regatta Powerboat races Milk Carton Boat Contest & Races Triathlons/swimming races
Events & programming — on the shore Food Truck Festival, Global Market, Burger Battle Granite City Days Parade route/ Fourth of July daytime activities 5Ks as part of convention activities
Events & programming — on the shore Interpretative hikes CentraCare, Community Education health programming Board & lawn games Plein Air painting
Events & programming — education Naturalist talks Library book readings/ Little free Rotary International Stearns History presentations library water initiatives
RiverW verWalk alk Impact on Community • Fair, beneficial to all — free access for entire community; all land publicly owned; adjacent homeowners retain street access • Capitalizes on momentum — construction imminent on trail section connecting proposed RiverWalk to downtown; local sales tax funding is hastening Lake Wobegon Trail construction; RiverWalk project could coincide with 5 th Avenue sewer-line improvements, Mississippi River drawdown • Visible, impactful, significant — long-awaited Mississippi River destination reaching downtown St. Cloud; spectacular nexus between the nationally-known Lake Wobegon Trail and the Beaver Island Trail; among the largest shoreline rehabilitation projects in Central Minnesota history • Draws people to destination — active recreators, downtown shoppers, community residents seek connections to the river; strengthens and diversifies downtown St. Cloud’s appeal; boosts regional tourism, area branding • Respectful development — Utilization of active space adjacent the river coexists with environmental and conservation best practices • Involves Rotary members — Rotarians can assist in replanting shoreline, building boardwalk alongside experts • Sustained in perpetuity — maintenance shared by City of St. Cloud Parks & Recreation, Lake Wobegon Trails Association
Riv iverWal erWalk Lead Partners
Riv iverWalk erWalk Partners Potential Collaborators
Riv iverWal erWalk Conceptual Costs Data provided by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist David Leapaldt, IIW Minnesota Senior Architect • Engineering study, planning $300,000 • Permitting/geotechnical/testing $70,000 • Demolition/grading/ $900,000 **in CIP for 2018** sewer improvements/road reconstruction • Lighting/wiring $400,000 • Trail/boardwalk construction $900,000 • Overlooks/fishing piers $500,000 • Shoreline rehab/ $350,000 native plantings/irrigation Total Estimated Cost: $3,420,000 **These figures are generalized cost estimates only and are subject to revision**
Riv iverWalk erWalk Possible Grants Data provided in part by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist Grant Name Funding Agency Award Size $35,000 - $75,000 ; DNR Aquatic Plant Restoration Available for shoreline plants, too Minnesota Board of Clean Water Fund $66,000 - $705,000 ; Water & Soil Resources (2008 Legacy Amendment) Local contribution required Minnesota Pollution Section 319 Nonpoint Source $300,000 max; Control Agency Water Pollution Control 45% local match required $1,000 - $250,000 ; U.S. Government Recreational Trail Program 25% local match required Outdoor Recreation Legacy $250,000 - $500,000 ; National Park Service Partnership Program Local contribution required $1,000 - $100,000 ; DNR Outdoor Recreation Grants Local contribution required
Riv iverWalk erWalk Grants, con’t Data provided in part by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director Greg Berg, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Shoreline Specialist Grant Name Funding Agency Award Size $5,000 average; Initiative Foundation Thriving Communities Initiative For planning, not capital expenses Parks & Trails Fund $20,000 minimum; DNR (2008 Legacy Amendment) Local match encouraged $3,000 - $50,000 ; Central Minnesota Bernick Family Foundation Grants Community Foundation For health & wellness activities Outdoor Heritage Fund $5,000 - $400,000 ; DNR (2008 Legacy Amendment) 100% local match required Preliminary Total Possible Grant Funds Available (10 grants): $387,000 - $2,585,000
Riv iverWalk erWalk Timeline Data provided by: Scott Zlotnik, City of St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Shea, City of St. Cloud Public Services Director David Leapaldt, IIW Minnesota Senior Architect Year 1 Begin conceptualizations, hire design/plan/engineer consultant, Rotary member input, Mississippi Partners-led dialogues with community organizations, private fund-raising Year 2-3 Submit Request For Proposal (RFP) with City of St. Cloud and begin engineering study, permitting, grant applications and public hearings Year 3-4 Groundbreaking: road demo, sewer improvements, road reconstruction Construction: of trail, lighting, boardwalk, overlooks, fishing piers Shoreline rehabilitation Grand Opening
Lake e Ge George ge St. Cloud town plat, 1869
Imagining a RiverWalk The End
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