Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Commission faces hard work on Shain Park

Ain't email great?

Subject : Shain decisions
Date : Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:50:00 -0400
From : Clinton Baller [cmballer@visa-master.com]
To : Tom Markus [Tmarkus@ci.birmingham.mi.us]
Cc : [cjlongeaia@ameritech.net]

Tom,

The city faces some important decisions on the design of Shain Park. Among them:

* Whether the bandstand should be permanent or temporary.
* If permanent, how big will it be, and will it be necessary to build a 14-foot wall to obstruct sound?
* Will restrooms be included in the design?
* What will the fountain look like? How will it ultimately be designed?
* Where will exhaust fans go, and how loud will they be?
* Will the decision on placement of the ramp be reconsidered, and if so, will any sort of pedestrian study be undertaken or taken into account?
* Will Merrill Street remain open a portion of the time, or will it be permanently closed.
* Will a skating rink or other wintertime activity be included?
* What will come of the "parent play area" that is proposed?

We are curious about how these issues will be resolved. The concept design submitted by Albert Kahn is a good start, but we are nearing the point at which the designers at Kahn who put pencil to paper will require that major decisions be made, and will need significant day-to-day input.

We believe good design results from the synergy between designer and client, and that both must be highly skilled. The role and importance of the client cannot be underestimated.

As members of the public with a keen interest in the Shain design, we are eager to meet the Kahn design team, curious about how the major decisions will be made, curious about how the design process will unfold, and hopeful that those who ultimately represent Birmingham bring the necessary skills to their role.

Clint Baller
Chris Longe


Subject : Re: Shain decisions
Date : Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:02:00 -0400
From : "Tom Markus" [Tmarkus@ci.birmingham.mi.us]
To : Clinton Baller [cmballer@visa-master.com]
Cc : Dianne McKeon [DJMcKeon@aol.com]; tim currier [tcurrier@beierhowlett.com]; Bob Fox [Bfox@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Bruce Johnson [Bjohnson@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Bill McElhone [BMcElhone@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Christian Wuerth [Cwuerth@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Dennis Dembiec [Ddembiec@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Dan Schulte [Dschulte@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Jana Ecker [Jecker@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; John Heiney [Jheiney@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Janet Laing [Jlaing@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Judy Rumps [jrumps@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Joe Valentine [Jvalentine@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Lauren Wood [Lwood@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Mark Gerber [Mgerber@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Nancy Weiss [Nweiss@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Richard Patterson [Rpatterson@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Sharon Ostin [Sostin@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Tim Wangler [twangler@ci.birmingham.mi.us]; Tom McDaniel [mcdaniel_tom@hotmail.com]; Rackeline Hoff [rackyhoff@hotmail.com]; Scott Moore [sdm984@hotmail.com]; Don Carney [doncarney@sbcglobal.net]; Scott Moore [sdm984@sbcglobal.net]; stuart sherman [stuart.sherman@sbcglobal.net]; Don Carney [doncarney@unalink.com]; Julie Plotnik [julie@victoryhomeloans.com]

Generally, I would say all of your questions should receive additional attention and resolution by the commission prior to going out to bid. Some of the items may be bid as alternates or we may even consider phasing in order to spread the costs so that the economic impact of these issues can be more fully understood before we totally commit to undertaking some of these items.

1. Bandstand could be bid either way so we know the economic impact. Additionally, we should probably plan it either way so we can make an informed decision based on cost, aesthetics, functionality, etc.

2. Same as one. Based on the current level of use it would seem we could get by with something less permanent but we should design for a temporary facility as an alternate. Some may argue that if you build they will come, and others will say maybe we don't want more activity. Again some policy type issues which will require resolution by the commission.

3. Restrooms should be included as a design alternative so we can at least evaluate the cost. I, for one, believe this item can be handled at least for events with portable facilities or the use of available public facilities such as the city hall or library without additional capital cost, but added operation/maintenance cost due to extended hours. I don't think we need to build them at this time. Again this matter should be discussed by the commission when this matter returns to them for direction.

4. The architects will need to provide designs for the fountain, and the commission will need to make a decision so as to include in the bid document. As this is a public process, you should have plenty of time to express your personal views.

5. As you know, the location of the fans may be determined based on other design criteria, which should be transparent, and the sound can be spec'd so you should know from the design spec what the sound will be.

6. The location of the ramp is a commission decision. It is up to the commission to determine if they will revisit this issue. The police department is looking into the possibility of a pedestrian study. So far, I understand ped studies are not very common as to methodology or practice, but they are checking to see what if anything can be done.

7. Again a commission decision based on the multiple opinions they will likely receive from you and the hundreds of other interested parties who will express their views.

8. Skating could be included as an alternate, and if considered may be more conducive to a phased program likely due to cost concerns. Just another commission determination.

9. The parent play area is subject to the same review by the commission as all other areas and will be included, not included or modified based on a myriad of commission determinations prior to bid and maybe after depending on cost considerations.

Due to the noticing problem the plan and historic review boards have reheard this matter and will be forwarding their recommendations to the commission, which will then rehear the Shain Park issue, at which time you can express your views and opinions prior to the commission taking any further action. I know you are both concerned about design as well as a myriad of other variables that go into decisions as complex as this one, including cost, functionality, safety, impact on the citizens, residents and businesses, etc. Ultimately our elected representatives -- the commission -- has the responsibility to decide what is in the best interest of the whole community. Our commission will make those determinations as soon as they are comfortable with the amount of information, the public input and their own reconciliation process with what they think is the right decision.