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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity owned property report 1984CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FRANK T. FLEMING TED JOHNSON MINNIE DOANE RICHARD SOLARO SUE McMULLEN JAMES D. GARRETSON ROBERT BADGER CITY OF CARMFL September 7, 1984 MEMO TO: City Council FROM: Jim Garretson, Chairman, Mayor's Property Development Committee SUBJECT: Final report to Mayor At the Mayor's suggestion I am enclosing copies of our committee's final report to her with regard to future use of the 13+ acres of land owned by the city near Gradle Drive and Rangeline Road. This report while short is the culmination of well over a year's worth of work, including substantial research by the committee on what other cities have done in the housing of governmental services. As the report indicates the committee is now satisfied that the site is suitable for a city governmental complex. Now the time has come for the Council to decide on whether or not to commit to this site. From the beginning one of our options was to use the site as bait for trade for a more suitable site, if one were found. Mayor Reiman has indicated to me that she endorses the present site. She is anxious to begin the planning of a master fire station. If the city has no intention of using this site as its future center, then she would be reluctant to build our master fire station at this site. Therefore, I would request that at our September 17 meeting we discuss the desirability of this site. I intend to propose a motion whereby the Council agrees to a commitment to the site for the future Carmel governmental complex. For your review let me point out other sites considered by the first city council and why they were rejected. 1. Northwest corner of 126th and Keystone - -11 acres- -owed by Ralph Wilfong. It is zoning residential and the home owners in the area had indicated strong opposition to a city complex there due to noise, traffic, etc. Chief Don Swails indicated he thought it was a poor site for a fire station given street access. MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL.... PAGE 2 2. Five acres located just north of Pizza Hut on Rangeline Road. Cost for this acreage from Paul Estridge was $350,000. Wright Porteous and Lowe reported it was inadequate in space for all city services. Additional adjacent land would be as expensive, thus the Council could expect to spend nearly $1 million for an adequate site at this location. 3. 3rd Avenue S.W., near where 126th street would intersect if continued from Rangeline Road. This is part of a 75 acre parcel owned by Helen Mueller. The site we had in mind was partially wooded and aesthetically handsome. However, Mrs. Mueller proved reluctant to sell the land at a price the city could afford. She sold some of the land to shopping center where Kroger is located for over $60,000 an acre. Some Council members opposed the site because it was so:far from Rangeline Road or Main Street. D CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FRANK T. FLEMING TED JOHNSON MINNIE DOANE RICHARD SOLARO SUE MCMULLEN JAMES D. GARRETSON ROBERT BADGER CITY OF CARMEN September 7, 1984 MEMO TO: City Council FROM: Jim Garretson, Chairman, Mayor's Property Development Committee SUBJECT: Final report to Mayor At the Mayor's suggestion I am enclosing copies of our committee's final report to her with regard to future use of the 13+ acres of land owned by the city near Gradle Drive and Rangeline Road. This report while short is the culmination of well over a year's worth of work, including substantial research by the committee on what other cities have done in the housing of governmental services. As the report indicates the committee is now satisfied that the site is suitable for a city governmental complex. Now the time has come for the Council to decide on whether or not to commit to this site. From the beginning one of our options was to use the site as bait for trade for a more suitable site, if one were found. Mayor Reiman has indicated to me that she endorses the present site. She is anxious to begin the planning of a master fire station. If the city has no intention of using this site as its future center, then she would be reluctant to build our master fire station at this site. Therefore, I would request that at our September 17 meeting we discuss the desirability of this site. I intend to propose a motion whereby the Council agrees to a commitment to the site for the future Carmel governmental complex. For your review let me point out other sites considered by the first city council and why they were rejected. 1. Northwest corner of 126th and Keystone - -11 acres- -owed by Ralph Wilfong. It is zoning residential and the home owners in the area had indicated strong opposition to a city complex there due to noise, traffic, etc. Chief Don Swails indicated he thought it was a poor site for a fire station given street access. MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL.... PAGE 2 2. Five acres located just north of Pizza Hut on Rangeline Road. Cost for this acreage from Paul Estridge was $350,000. Wright Porteous and Lowe reported it was inadequate in space for all city services. Additional adjacent land would be as expensive, thus the Council could expect to spend nearly $1 million for an adequate site at this location. 3. 3rd Avenue S.W., near where 126th street would intersect if continued from Rangeline Road. This is part of a 75 acre parcel owned by Helen Mueller. The site we had in mind was partially wooded and aesthetically handsome. However, Mrs. Mueller proved reluctant to sell the land at a price the city could afford. She sold some of the land to shopping center where Kroger is located for over $60,000 an acre. Some Council members opposed the site because it was so far from Rangeline Road or Main Street. CITY OF CARMEL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FRANK T. FLEMING TED JOHNSON MINNIE DOANE RICHARD SOLARO SUE McMULLEN JAMES D. GARRETSON ROBERT BADGER The Honorable Jane A. Reiman Mayor of Carmel Carmel, Indiana 46032 Dear Mayor Reiman: September 7, 1984 In the autumn of 1982 you appointed a committee to review the possible uses of two large parcels of land owned by the city. The first was 20+ acres located adjacent to the new water treatment facility near Gray Road and 106th Street. A report on that parcel was delivered to you in May, 1983. A second parcel - -13+ acres located near Gradle Drive and Rangeline Road- -was delayed in order for your committee to enlist the assistance of students from the Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning in determining the feasability of using the land for a future city complex. Your committee has now received a report from the Ball State students and is ready to submit its final report to you. Enclosed you will find recommendations from your committee with regard to the Gradle Drive parcel and its future use. Having finished our assigned task, we want to individually and as a group thank you for your far- sightedness in trying to find long term and short term uses for these parcels of land. It has been our pleasure to serve you and the city. We now ask to be dissolved as we have discharged our responsibilities. Enclosure Sincerely, ( ames D. Garretson Chairman Mayor's Property Development Committee REPORT FROM THE MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT...PART II Phase II of the assigned mission of the Mayor's Property Development Committee was to examine the city's property near the intersection of Gradle Drive and Rangeline Road. The city purchased the 13+ acres in 1980 as a possible future site for a city government complex. The purchase followed a study by Wright Porteous and Lowe on four other possible sites within a two mile radius of downtown Carmel. The Gradle Drive site was chosen by the City Council because of cost, availability and location. The purchase had been guided by the thought that vacant land within a two mile radius of downtown Carmel was being developed rapidly. The purchase was the Council's answer to protecting the future of the city. The Wright Porteous and Lowe study in 1979 concluded that approximately fifteen acres would be necessary for facilities that would house all the city's services. Given the topography, size and location of the site, this committee concluded its first task was to seek assistance in determining the suitability of the parcel for a governmental complex. To assist the Committee again students from Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning were asked to conduct a study. Under the guidance of Professor Rod Underwood, this project was utilized as a program for an annual design competition sponsored by the Indiana Concrete Association. Professor Underwood and his associates held discussions with several city department heads, the Mayor and the chairman of this committee. The initial program omitted a police station at the request of the Carmel Police Chief. However, Professor Underwood indicated that the inclusion of such a facility on this site would not affect the use of the site and that adequate land was available for the entire project. Attached to this report are descriptions, schematic drawings and copies of photographs of models of the top seven projects as judged in the competition by a jury of referees and Professor Underwood. Several are quite unique and Professor Underwood emphasized that the project was treated by the College more as an academic exercise than a client project. Indeed, the committee made clear to the Ball State students that they were to use their imaginations. The committee was more concerned about the suitability of the site than any particular design. Professor Underwood made the following conclusion, however, based on the project that brought forward over 60 entrires. The site is adequate in size, location and topography to house all the facilities suggested by the Property Development Committee (i.e. master fire station, police station, city administrative offices, community center). He did emphasize, however, that before any stage of development is begun an architect should be employed to develop a master plan for the site to assure that all future phased development is in harmony at the conclusion of the project. 1E) This project was undertaken between March 1, 1984 and May, 1984. An oral presentation was made by the students for members of the committee and REPORT TO MAYOR REIMAN....Page 2 city officials on Tuesday, May 8, 1984 at Carmel I -Iigh School. Several of the projects demonstrate that a mall area and recreation area can be incorporated into the site. The Committee endorses this concept. Based on its research the Committee now recommends to the Mayor the following: 1. The city should formally determine if this site is to be the future home of Carmel city government. 2. If this site is chosen an architect should be employed to develop a master plan for the entire site. Such a plan should include the following: A. Master Fire Station B. Mu*ipal Administrative offices Mayor's office Clerk Treasurer's office Department of Community Development Utilities offices City Engineer Computer services City Court City Council City Attorney Plan Commission Board of Zoning Appeals C. Police Station D. Community Center E. Outdoor mall and /or piazza F. Parking G. Possible Railroad Platform 3. Separate facilities should house the fire station, municipal offices, police station and community center. The separate facilities should be connected by plazza area. 4. In the event of phased development, the first phase should include adequate financing and development of unused land for aesthetic and /or recreational use. Such landscaping should be so designed as to not pose any obstacle to future phased development. Finally, while Mayor Reiman has made clear from early in this study (1982) that her first priority in future construction was a master fire station, this committee strongly urges in the overall design of the site, the city ask for the inclusion of all those items listed under item 2 above. The committee also urges that from the beginning adequate attention and financing be given to landscaping. Any future governmental facilities should serve as a source of community pride, and present an inviting appearance. O DOUG CHAMBERS ICMA PROJECT REPORT This scheme deals with three major issues which are site placement, utilization of space, and function. The facility is placed on the south side of Gradle Drive which was moved to the north side of Railroadmen's Bank. The advantage of this is to allow a gradual turning radius upon approach to the facility and to slow down passing traffic flow. The entire facility is located on the south side of Gradle. This best utilizes space, because the north end of the site can be leased, sold, or held for future expansion. The core of the complex is elevated to provide private parking for the employees which also utilizes space well. The south end of the project functions as a community center and a lobby for the town hall. The town hall or core of the project can be closed after business hours, and the community center can remain open on week- ends or evenings. The fire station is directly adjacent to Gradle Drive which provides easy access for the fire trucks. Obviously, there are many issues to consider in the design of this facility. This scheme deals with some of these other issues such as image, human scale, and spatial quality; however, major consideration was given to site relationships and efficiency. 1• r� JEFFREY BONE ICMA PROJECT REPORT I had very strong feelings about penetration into the site rather than just touching its surface or skin. Ian order to utilize the entire site, one penetrates by way of a causeway or bridge that arcs off Gradle and runs along the west edge of the site. The separation one experiences (between building and person) lets one view the entire complex as an observer looking in, while a totally different experience is obtained when the user actually penetrates the structure. So, baiscally a general to specific sequence is set up. To be more specific, the major separation created by the continuation of the arc off Grad <_l:e, (the. major generator) is the separation between the main complex and the community center. This separation, or neutral zone, is implied, and in theory is the division between the more rigid main government center and the more person oriented community center. In the neutral zone lies the cafe or restrauant which serves both complexes. Tables and chairs will filter onto both sides creating a gathering and eating area between the structure. The entire complex is made up of 27' -1O" square pods with various connections. The pods were chosen for several reasons: First, by using modules, the scale of the complex is broken down while showing a separation of different areas and functions. Second, the proiject can be built in phases if need be. Specifically, as Carmel's government grows, so can the complex by the addition of pods. Each pod is two stories constructed from 8" x 16" concrete block. The roof material is weathering steel. I felt the combination of concrete block and weathering steel, both "natural" materials, would produce a secure feeling; a feeling that the entire complex has grown from and is firmly rooted in, the ground (site). Therefore, the entire complex becomes and its people. an appropriate part of Carmel BRET W. DODD ICMA PROJECT REPORT The site was developed with the idea of it becoming a succession of spaces and nodes which become distinguishable by the activity which occurs within them. The sequence of spaces was designed to begin rigidly with the act of parking, and then gradually and perceptibly break down into a much more organic,and natural pattern. This was accomplished both by the architectural and the landscapes language. The major architectural intent that ordered the development of the project was the creation of a contemporary image of a governmental building - one that would project a theme of progression, prosperity, and humanism. The exterior shell that first presents itself to the user is one of a rigid and bureaucratic society whose essence predates the complex to an eariler and more formal approach towards gover ment. The introduction of a direct axis through the site was used as both an ordering device and as a transition between spaces. A complexity of mater ials,.forms, and ideas was used to generate the sense of inductive reasoning; leaving interpretation to the individuals imagination. This plasticity of elements offers the audience a sense of independent identity with the composition. t •.. 0 .i • T! 1JU 'v -�Ir r MICHAEL McKAY ICMA PROJECT REPORT The major goal of this project was to develop a civic center for Carmel that would enhance the public's presence in a governmental facility. The established atmosphere would then enchance the function of the city's own government. To achieve this goal, the project relies on a series of axis and visual vistas which orient the visitor. The entry and approach into the site was developed as a tree -lined boulevard, giving the visitor a visual perspective of the project; first, piece by piece, and then as a whole. First, the view is centered on the fire station's equipment bay and hose tower. This gives the viewer a chance to see the city's fire trucks as they are parked in the bays or out front to be washed and waxed. Next, the boulevard gives the visitor a perspective of the outdoor plaza area and the civic center itself. The visitor is then forced to pass the building and approach it in a different manner as a pedestrian. This established pedestrian axis runs the entire site, starting in the parking lot and ending at the fire station's hose tower. This . axis brings the visitor into the civic center through a formal facade and then into an indoor street with two gathering and reference spaces at either end. These rotundas not only serve as reference points, but they indicate where the most formal and important spaces are located (e.g. the mayor's office, city council chamber, city court room, and the community center). ;A11 the offices in the civic center function off this two story indoor street, with each office . having its own entrance and lobby, with this indoor street being glass enclosed, on the roof as well as both ends. At night it becomes the lighted artery, always showing the way for pedestrian traffic. Like a street, this arcade is to function twenty -four hours a day with the offices closing down and locking up after hours. This pedestrian axis is then carried through the outdoor plaza still in a straight, but more relaxed line. Visually it connects the fire station's administrative wing with the rest of the project. Materials were used in a manner to help define spaces on the exterior as well as interior. All conference and chamber rooms have the half circle walls to help tie together and identify those parts of the pro- ject. The office spaces then have glass facades with the masonry used as a framing element. With all those goals completed, this project strives to become a place to visit rather than a place to pass by or through, having the public's interest emphasized in a govenmental facility. TODD KEGERREIS ICMA PROJECT REPORT THE WALL The project concept is that of a wall relating to the linear quality of the site. The wall is a direct dramatic, powerful expression with few penetrations. Both site development and building organization reflect the basic conceptual approach of separation of public and private functions and linear zoning of interior and exterior spaces. The major penetration or break in the wall identifies the separation between governmental functions and the fire station. Functions are further zoned vertically with the more public on the first, pedestrian level, and the more private, on the upper level. Natural illumination is used to both light and identify major public spaces along the wall. Primary architectural articulation of the wall occurs at entries. D •1',rYW rke.1444-1:/kel. 4 , , ' efar ;1,444' !as,043:: • .0,:i.A-mvak,,, 1 r) rrrr 1 j rrcc::t.^L..:::n.:m; �mrnv tiT.ye�nsm.:.:Yt+,w xaer.�ats i ' „ • • • . . . . . . . • . . . .994?“ g3 c •