Agenda Date: 07/16/2024
Subject:
Title
Motion adopting the Ketring-Gallup Master Plan
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Kelsey Stansfield, Manager of Grounds, Open Space & Natural Resources |
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Presentations: |
Kelsey Stansfield, Manager of Grounds, Open Space & Natural Resources |
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Jay Henke, Flow Design Collaborative |
PURPOSE:
To adopt the Ketring-Gallup Master Plan.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture; Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Safe Community
DISCUSSION:
In March, city staff and Flow Design Collaborative presented the preliminary master plan to Council for feedback. That feedback was incorporated into one final round of public engagement. The included presentation, graphics and cost estimates reflect what was heard from the community, stakeholders, city staff and city council. City staff is now looking for adoption of the plan.
BACKGROUND:
One of the city’s goals in 2021 was to improve the connection between the Bemis Library and Littleton Museum for pedestrians. Current conditions do not provide a safe crossing at Gallup Street. There is no direct trail across Gallup Gardens and lighting is limited. The planning effort to create an improved connection and address these issues was named the “Cultural Connection.” Initial internal planning identified a significantly larger scope of work. Multiple planning efforts going on at the time, combined with upcoming capital plans, had identified many projects within the footprint of Gallup Park, Gallup Gardens, Ketring Park, Bemis Library and Littleton Museum. Staff decided to combine planning efforts and pursue a master plan for the “Ketring-Gallup” campus.
Staff brought on Flow Design Collaborative to lead the planning process in early 2023. Over the last year, four robust community engagement phases, gathering over 1000 responses have helped shape the concepts being presented for this study session. Combined with a diverse stakeholder group and recommendations from the Water Resources Plan, Trail Connectivity Study and SSPRD Master Plan, this preliminary master plan addresses the identified obstacles and opportunities holistically. A pedestrian focused corridor, increased amenities and overall improved connections create the opportunity for this campus to serve as one of Littleton’s cultural cores.
Any future design and construction will be completed on a phased approach, primarily because of fiscal constraints, with a priority placed on the Cultural Core of the project.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The total estimated cost of everything shown in the concept is $30,000,000. The attached budget document breaks down the cost into phases, with the cultural core having the largest fiscal impact at $10,000,000. Staff will be evaluating the cultural core to see how this phase can be broken down into further phases to align with available budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends council adopt the Ketring-Gallup Master Plan and prioritize the Cultural Core for the first phases of design and construction.
There are additional elements of the plan that do not require intensive design and construction, such as increasing tree canopy in Ketring Park and improving the health of existing native areas. Staff recommends that council support these initiatives as quick wins in the overall development of the campus.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are several recommendations in the Ketring-Gallup Master Plan and a combination of these recommendations could be developed at council direction.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to adopt the Ketring-Gallup Master Plan.