DATE: TO: ce: FROM; SUBJECT: 3 nye aie te g Park: Refteation arks.raleighnc.gov 222, W. Hargett Street, Suite 608 Raleigh, NC 27602 (019) 890-3285 April 7, 2009 Russell Allen ~ City Manager Parks Director Sauer, Design Development Administrator Bailey Cassie Schumacher-Georgopoulos, Senior Park Planner Isabella Cannon Park Draft Master Plan Contract Continuation On April 21, 2009 the Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board will report to City Council the Draft Master Plan for Isabella Cannon Park, Because of recent discussions at the Council table regarding continuation of design consultant contracts to Phase 1 develop, we feel it is appropriate to inform you of our consideration to not continue our contract with WSP-SELLS and instead go out for an RFQ once the master plan is approved. Our reasoning for not extending the contract with WSP-SELLS is due to the dissolving of the SELLS Design Studio and the project team with whom we had the original contract for economic reasons. While we encourage WSP-SELLS to submit for the RFQ we feel it is in the best interest of the neighborhood and staff to seek new proposals for Phase 1 development. We look for your consensus with our decision. Thank you for your time.RALEIGH Recreation ‘parks.raleighne.gov 222 W. Hargett Street, Suite 608 Raleigh, NC 27602 (919) 890-3285, DATE: — April 7, 2009 TO: — Raleigh City Council CC: Parks Director Sauer, City Manager Allen FROM: Cassie Schumacher-Georgopoulos, Senior Park Planner SUBJECT: Isabella Cannon Park Draft Master Plan Isabella Cannon Park is a 3.5-acte Neighborhood Park located in the University Park neighborhood at the comer of Gardner Street and Kilgore Avenue. The park has been a part of Raleigh’s park system since the 1930’s. The steep slope on the south side of the property was placed as the bank for the State Fair Horse Track. An established park, features include a retired baseball field, well use basketball court, a restroom/concession building, small playground, and a picnic area, However, due to the age of many of the features, neighbors requested the park be re-master planned and renovated. Funds for the renovation and master plan of the park were included as part of the 2003 Park Bond. On January 8, 2008 the City Council approved the master plan process for Isabella Cannon Park. In March, 2008, City Council authorized staff to begin negotiations with SELLS Design Studio to conduct the master plan. ‘The master plan and public input process was based on the Resolution or Committee based process and included two public meetings to receive initial comment and review the draft master plan and eight committee meetings to develop a program, review schematic designs, and comment on the draft master plan, The final Draft Master Plan was presented to the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board (PRGAB) on February 19, 2009 at which time the PRGAB heard public comment. On March 19, 2009 the PRGAB continued discussion of the Draft Master Plan and voted unanimously to forward the Draft Master Plan to City Couneil and recommend its adoption by Council with following three condition set by the Master Plan Committee,1. The Master Plan Committee works with Parks & Recreation Staff to appeal to the Board of Adjustments to waive the code requirements for the sidewalk and parking, Comment: Parks and Recreation staff has met with both Planning and Zoning staff and Public Works staff to look at alternative means of addressing these development requirements. Planning and Zoning has suggested the four parking stalls required to bring the basketball court into compliance could be sufficed with available parking at the Rose Garden and Raleigh Little Theater. For the sidewalk, Public Works is willing to work with the park to have a trail making the same connections into the park rather than requiring a standard sidewalk. 2. The sidewalk along Kilgore Ave is designed and located with sensitivity to the trees and topography along Kilgore Ave. Comment: Ifa trail can be installed in lieu of a standard sidewalk it will be designed with sensitivity to the existing trees and topography. 3. Parks & Recreation Staff informs and includes the Master Plan Committee in review of the design and development plans for Phase I and subsequent phases. Comment: Staff looks forward to continuing to work with the Committee and the neighborhood. Included in the backup material is the Draft Master Plan Report, Appendix A is available by request. Staff will be available at the meeting to answer questions. Recommendation: Adopt the DRAFT Isabella Cannon Park Master Plan as recommended by the Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board from the March 19, 2009 meeting.