HomeMy WebLinkAbout35. 14-407
R E V I S E D
AUGUST 26, 2014 14-407 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED__7-0_____LOST_______LAID OVER_______WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: APPROVE GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING IN AMOUNT OF
$155,000.00
INITIATED BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the Common Council approved funds in the 2014 Capital
Improvement Program for public improvements to be undertaken as part of a Great
Neighborhoods Program; and
WHEREAS, protection and improvement of the City’s neighborhoods is critical to
maintaining a healthy and sustainable community; and
WHEREAS, staff received input from various Neighborhood Associations on
potential public improvements and/or activities that could be undertaken with said funds;
and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending the following activities and/or improvements
be undertaken with said funds as the first phase of the Great Neighborhoods Program:
1) Middle Village Urban Green Space & Community Garden $60,000.00
2) William Waters Plaza Redesign Planning $5,000.00
3) Terrace Trees for Partner Neighborhoods $25,000.00
4) Historic District Street Signs & Markers $25,000.00
5) Emmeline Cook Beautification Project $40,000.00
TOTAL $155,000.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that activities and/or improvements, as noted above, to be undertaken as part
of the Great Neighborhoods Program, are hereby approved and the proper City officials
are hereby authorized and directed to take those steps necessary to implement said
program. Money for this purpose is hereby appropriated from:
Acct. No. 323-0740-7216-06416 Property Improvement Fund – Land
Improvements / Great Neighborhoods
Indicates revision
O.fHKOJH
ON THE WATER
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Planner
DATE: August 21, 2014
RE: Approve Great Neighborhoods Capital Improvement Plan Funding in Amount of$155,000
BACKGROUND
The Council approved an allocation of $250,000 in the 2014 Capital Improvement Program for Great
Neighborhoods Public Improvements.
PHASE I ANALYSIS
After consultation with existing neighborhood associations and staff, the following items are being
proposed for Council consideration to utilize a portion of the 2014 Capital Improvement Program funding
for Great Neighborhoods Public Improvements:
Phase I Projects Recommended
1. Middle Village Urban Green Space & Community Garden Improvements $60,000.00
The Middle Village Neighborhood Association received approval from the Common Council for the use of
two vacant lots owned by the City's Redevelopment Authority on July 22, 2014 (Resolutions 14-331 & 14-
332) and is requesting funds to install improvements at both sites (Appendix A). This request is consistent
with the Middle Village Neighborhood Plan (MVNP), approved by Council on March 25, 2014 (Resolution
14-141). Multiple goals outlined within the MVNP would be addressed or furthered by supporting this
funding request, including the following:
1. Build a sense of community and pride.
2. Provide public green space/park space.
3. Create safe gathering spaces for the neighborhood.
4. Increase homeownership in the neighborhood.
5. Improve lighting in the neighborhood.
The urban green space, located at the corner of Franklin Street and Ida Avenue, will include a paved
pathway, covered picnic table, small playground structure, a little free library, informational
kiosk/neighborhood sign, butterfly garden, site landscaping, and a solar pole light. The space is intended
to provide a "park-like" environment that will provide a safe place for children to play, be a draw to new
homeowners interested in the neighborhood and create a sense of pride and place among neighbors.
The community garden, located at the corner of Central Street and W. Parkway Avenue, will include a
paved pathway, raised garden beds, covered picnic table, shed/green house, fruit tree, butterfly garden,
site landscaping, and a solar pole light. The community garden will provide education and training
opportunities and a space for residents to gather and take advantage of fresh produce right in their
neighborhood.
Both sites will be managed and maintained by the neighborhood association and the City's
Redevelopment Authority will review the conditions of Council's approval annually to ensure both sites
remain compliant with the Conditional Use Permit.
2. William Waters Plaza Redesign Planning $5,000.00
The River East Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the surrounding property owners,
Downtown Business Improvement District, Landmarks Commission, Oshkosh Public Library and
Department of Community Development, would like to work with a design professional to develop a
preferred concept master plan for William Waters Plaza. The plaza is located across the street from the
Oshkosh Public Library on the corner of Washington Avenue and State Street (Appendix B). Future plans
to reconstruct streets in the area will result in the plaza needing to be replaced. The River East
Neighborhood Association has requested the opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on the future
design and use of the plaza, as this location is a gateway into their neighborhood. The final master plan
will provide an opportunity for costs associated with the redesign to be raised /budgeted for in the future.
3. Terrace Trees for Partner Neighborhoods $25,000.00
The Department of Community Development is requesting additional funding to install terrace trees in
addition to the Taking Root Program, which is now focusing on gateway areas of the city instead of
neighborhoods. Terrace trees will be planted in conjunction with other projects such as street
reconstruction, housing rehabilitation, Habitat for Humanity builds, NeighborWorks Badgerland Good
Neighbor Grant Program, neighborhood plans, etc. A portion of the funds ($5,000) will be used to
develop a pilot tree maintenance program /workshop within partner neighborhoods. Staff will work
collaboratively with the Parks Department to ensure trees are planted in a manner that does not conflict
with existing underground utilities.
4, Historic District Street Signs & Markers $25,000.00
The Department of Community Development is requesting funds to purchase historic district street signs
and develop a Historic District Marker Program. The Paine Lumber and North Main Street Historic Districts
currently do not have historic district signage and will receive a total of ten signs designed to match the
existing historic district street signs. Algoma Boulevard and Irving /Church Historic Districts need additional
sign topper replacements. City staff will work with members of the Landmarks Commission to develop
historic district markers for the North Main Street and Irving /Church Historic Districts. The markers will
focus on the history of the district and be similar to the historic markers currently placed on the Riverwalk.
5. Emmeline Cook Beautification Project $10,000.00
The Millers Bay and NorthShore Neighborhood Associations working ' in collaboration with the Oshkosh
Area School District, Emmeline Cook PTO, NeighborWorks Badgerland and Department of Community
Development are requesting funds to assist with the implementation of the E. Cook Preferred Master Plan.
Great Neighborhoods funding will be matched by Oshkosh Area School District and be used to update
existing pedestrian crosswalk areas, place terrace trees along the back of walk due to limited terrace
widths and install fagade plantings at the elementary school. Due to years of deferred maintenance at the
school site, the Millers Bay Beautification Committee developed a group of stakeholders to address the
existing conditions. The Department of Community Development contracted with Rettler Corporation to
develop a Preferred Concept Master Plan (Appendix C) and the collaborative group would like to begin
phase one of implementation. It is anticipated that future implementation will be funded through a
combination of grant writing and private donations.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total 2014 CIP Great Neighborhoods Program Funding
$250,000.00
Total Phase I Funding Requested $155,000.00
TOTAL REMAINING CIP DOLLARS $95,000.00
No additional costs anticipated. The green space and community garden in Middle Village will be
maintained by the Middle Village Neighborhood Association.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of the Phase I of Great Neighborhoods Capital Improvement Program
Funding
Approved,
City Manager
Appendix A -- Middle Village Green Space & Community Garden
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Appendix C - Emmeline Cook Preferred Master Plan
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