C Veterans Monument UpdateMEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor & City Council
FROM:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
DATE:
June 12, 2006
SUBJ:
Veteran’s Monument Update
BACKGROUND
During one of our joint meetings with the Senior Commission, it was discussed
that the city should look into developing a Veteran’s Monument/Memorial.
Based on this discussion, staff has been working with the Senior Commission
and Damon Farber Associates (the architect for City Center Park) to develop
three concepts for the memorial and they are described below:
CONCEPT #1
Five large monuments (8 feet high, 4 feet
wide, and 3 feet deep). Each monument is
proposed to represent a branch of the
military (Army, Marine Corps., Navy, Air
Force, and Coast Guard).
The monuments are proposed to be located
south of the most easterly parking lot.
Pros Cons
??
Located within close proximity to the The scale of the monuments is imposing.
?
parking lot.
Appears as an after-thought and separated
?
Provides a sidewalk in front of the from the park.
?
monuments.
Too close to the parking lot and limited
gathering area.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 2
CONCEPT # 2 (2 Variations on Wall Designs)
Option 2-1:
The first wall option is proposed to be 4 feet high and 25 feet wide. Only one
side of the wall will be viewed. The wall is proposed to be located east of the
Library building.
ProsCons
??
Reasonably proportioned. Appears as an after-thought and
separated from the park.
?
Located within close proximity to
th
West 78 Street.
?
Architecturally uninspiring.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 3
Option #2-2
The second wall is substantially larger in size. It is 7 feet 6 inches high and is
proposed to be located south of the most easterly parking lot. The wall will be
two-sided with a sidewalk surrounding it.
Pros Cons
??
Located within close proximity to The scale of the monuments is
the parking lot. imposing.
??
Provides a sidewalk in front of the Appears as an after-thought and
monuments. separated from the park.
?
Too close to the parking lot and
limited gathering area.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 4
CONCEPT #3 (3 Options for Monuments)
These monuments are in a cluster of five. They are 5 feet
high and 1 foot 8 inches deep and wide. They resemble a
podium. Each monument is proposed to carry the symbol
of one of the five branches of the military.
Option 3-1:
The first option proposes locating the monuments along an existing sidewalk
th
that connects the park to West 78 Street.
Pros Cons
Requires minimum alteration to the Appears as an after-thought and
park. separated from the park.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 5
Option 3-2:
The second option locates the monuments along the parking south of the most
easterly parking lot.
Pros Cons
??
Located within close proximity to Appears as an after-thought and
the parking lot. separated from the park.
??
Provides a sidewalk in front of the Too close to the parking lot and
monuments. limited gathering area.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 6
Option 3-3:
The final option positions the five monuments on a half circle with a diameter of
27 feet. The monuments are proposed to be located east of the Library building
and in the center of the plaza area. This is the preferred option of the Senior
Commission and staff.
.
Pros Cons
??
Centrally located within the park. Requires relocation of an existing
?
sidewalk.
A well-thought-out design (has its
own space yet is part of the overall
park).
?
Has a sense of formality.
?
An open area for special
ceremonies is located immediately
east of the monuments.
Staff has also met with Gary Boyle, Commander of the Chanhassen American
Legion Club for their thoughts on the different concepts and a collaborative
effort in funding the project. Commander Boyle is planning to speak to the
American Legion Board concerning possible funding opportunities within the
next couple of weeks.
Mayor & City Council
June 12, 2006
Page 7
REQUESTED ACTION
It is recommended that the different concepts be discussed and that staff be
directed to prepare cost estimates for the preferred design. Staff will also
present design concepts to both the Park & Recreation Commission and
Planning Commission.