5.1. SR 01-17-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ River SITE FEASIBILITY STUDY GREAT RIVER REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM CITY OF ELK RIVER o Existing land use for the three sites includes Residential, Public/Semi-Public, and Open Space uses. Site Band C are in the Public/Semi-Public and Open Space land use areas. Site A is in the residential use area. o Sites on the main arterial routes - including Orono Parkway and the Orono Road and Main Street are critical major collectors. Assumptions about road development do impact the site location. o Site Option B is in the closes proximity to the most housing and future housing. o Most importantly, the City owned parks are identified in the Comprehensive Plan. A system of trails also connects the community. The plan contains an analysis of park needs and elements of the proposed parks and trail systems and implementation strategies. Orono Park is designated as a "community park" that has an "active use orientation." This park contains a combination of uses designed around gatherings and outdoor play that cannot be found elsewhere. o The continued growth of the area will create additional challenges for community athletic facilities, including the need for increased capacity and the need for ideal locations. Using the park for the Option B location may not be consistent with the Park and Recreation Commission established goals and objectives. o Measurement of the use of Orono Park for Library and parking need to be weighed against park system objectives for Site Option B. o Retention of green space also impacts priorities for the use of Site Option C. Site Option A is not impacted by park planning and is not currently connected by the linking trails. Preservation of the waterways, lakeshore, and other sites preserved for natural or historical significance are part of this evaluation. o Development of a library site at Site Option C could positive influence the pattern of traffic. Establishing a building footprint of approximately 14,000 square feet illustrates that there remains adequate space for future expansion, parking, and outdoor activities at Site Option C. o Building the library along with other public buildings in proximity to the City Hall and city services creates an even strong sense of place and location important in creating the community character and contribute to the quality of life of Elk River. · Views and Aesthetic Qualities: Locating the new library on a site with natural aesthetic qualities is significant - especially when looking to the future and the potentials for enhancing the qualities with the building and site design. o Expanding construction at Site A may create issues of scale. With the exception of Handke School, the adjacent structures are one story and small in site coverage. The proposed construction will entirely change the nature of the site development and the image created by the existing library. o Site C is attractive and defined by tree lines. These view and the defined limits of the site will not change with development. The views and proximities to the Lake and Dam will also not be changed with the construction of the library. KKE ARCHITECTS: 0606.1159.01 SITE FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT - 37-