Voting Members Present

• RS Nieswander (CH)
• C Poh
• A Lukaczy 
• N Reich

Project presented by Ryan Grass of City Architecture discussing the community engagement, lighting, RTA bus stop, park design, landscaping possibilities, use, and art components.

Committee Questions, Comments, Concerns

• What kind of feedback are you getting from the neighborhood on how to use the space?  Flexible open space, neighborhood markers, electrical connections, outdoor seating, levels/tiers, sustainable features won't need any underground pipes because the soils are very sandy, screening the E. 103rd, safety, lighting, maintaining neighborhood path.
• Are there any other kinds of seating provided for the public other than the restaurant seating?  The "rocks" are slabs that can be used for passive seating.

Motion to approve conceptual design with the recommendation to futher consider the comments made by the committee regarding the rocks, etc.

Voting Members Present

• N. Reich
• C. Poh
• P. Brown (CH)
• RS Nieswander
• A. Lukaczy
• T. Veider

Project presented by Jim McKnight (McCAP), Alex Pesta (City Architecture), and Neff & Associates.  Dominic Ozanne (Ozanne Construction) and Briana Butler (ED) are in attendance and available for comment as needed.   An overview of the progress of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative to date was shared with the Committee.  Details on the current design process for the plaza, amenities, and scope of community input was also shared.  Presenters staed that they want to maintain pedestrian circulation, create a flexible space, and use sustainable, low-maintenance landscaping materials.  Presenters are proposing to provide durable seating options, pedetrian scale modern lighting, building a concrete pad for RTA Eclipse shelter installation, stormwater management, and tolerant landscaping materials.  This will be a city-owned park, maintained by the Finch Group development.

Committee Questions, Comments, Concerns

• Can you talk about the seating arrangement?  Is the upper seating on the same level as the plaza?
• Is there a reason why you left the tree wells open instead of covering it with mulch or grasses.  Per the presenters, this was done for the health of the tree.
• Per Jim McKnight, this is a free draining site with premium backfill added from the County's demo of old gas station.
• What is the intent of the "neighborhood marker"?   Per the presenters, it will be done as a public art feature that will have to return through the review process for public art.
• Is there any opportunity to add pedestrian access at the rear of the plaza for the neighbors to the rear?
• Why is a metal grate being used to link to the two plaza areas?
• The benches in the public area should probably have a back and can be used as an opportunity to add color to the park.
• Are there benches around the trees?
• What design features are there to deter skate boaders?  Per the presenters, the joint design, seat wall, and bench design will deter skaters.
• What is the purpose of the boulders?
• The proposed Atticus bench looks uncomfortable.  Benches armrests should be curvier with more of an angled back.  It does not match the plaza/building design.
• Increase the size of the trees in the grates.  Rethink the placement of the benches because it doesn't appear to activate the space/generate conversation.
• Explore using a curved back bench for the seating around the trees. Per the presenter, the currently proposed bench is available with a curved back.
• Street trees should be more substantial for shading and verticality.
• Reconsider the placement of the boulders as a facilitator for activity & conversation, etc.
• What colors are you using for the plaza concrete?
• How will you clean the area underneath the grating?
• Are there trash cans on-site?
• Do you anticipate folks bringing pets to the plaza?
• Are there any bike racks?
• The lawn area seems small, what is the intent?  Per the presenter, it will be raised to allow seating/visibility for performances.

Khrys Sheffton from Famicos Foundation is available to make comment and state the CDC's support for the park design.

Motion to approve with the suggestion to reaccess the location of the benches, style, and color, reasses the location of the boulders, maintenance of the area under the connecting grate, and increase of the size of the three oaks.