2008-06-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Mr. Hutto said that from an operational perspective, the less the signs have to be moved around the better. Ms. Edwards said she would like to put closure to the matter. Dr. Brown made a motion to approve the appeal, allowing the sign to face out, and Mr. Taliaferro seconded the motion. The appeal of the Pavilion sign was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: Mr. Huja and Mr. Norris. REPORT : DOWNTOWN MALL RESTORATION Mr. Tolbert said that Council discussed the mall restoration in February, and said to keep it simple and not make major changes. He said a bid alternative is to install a fountain in front of the Omni if it is privately funded. He said the slab under the bricks will only be trenched for utility lines and WIFI. He said staff is having second thoughts about the children’s play area. He said two small new fountains are proposed. He said there are no plans to remove trees except those that are diseased. He said the tree pattern will not change from the Halprin design. He said the existing planters will be kept and those that have been removed from the mall will be replaced. He said granite, which was in the original design, is proposed to be done. He said it is proposed to raise the lights by two feet for better fire truck access, for better energy efficiency and to be dark sky compliant. He said the benches on the mall now are not the original design, but more single benches are proposed to be added. He said the public wanted more art and the proposal is to work with “Art in Place” to add art. He said an idea is to have a uniform system for café boundaries as there are ADA issues with the chains that are now being used. He said an idea is to also have a uniform cart for vendors. He said there had previously been concern because the only place that 4” x 12” bricks could be found was Nebraska, but a supplier has been found in Virginia. He said there is some concern about whether the larger bricks can be made stable enough. He said they will cost $200,000 more. He said a very conservative construction cost of $7.3 million is estimated, with a 25% contingency. He said the belief is that construction can be done from January 2 through April 30. Mr. Joe Shinstock of MMM Design Group reviewed the refined design proposed for the mall. Mr. Tolbert said that Council is being asked to amend the budget so money can be moved into FY 09. He said the proposal is to sell bonds. He said it is important to act so that the project can be bid in October. He said there are a lot of electrical and light problems on the mall. Responding to a question from Mr. Huja, Mr. Tolbert said the intent at Water Street is to open it up and make it wider to improve visibility. Dr. Brown asked if the trees will be in the same location except for in front of the Omni, and Mr. Tolbert said that is the intent. He said they will try to do everything possible to get the root systems out and put them back in the same place. Dr. Brown asked if the café locations will be permanent, and whether it will be hard to move the proposed boundaries. Mr. Tolbert said they will be made so they are flexible. He said the size of the cafes is limited by the Code and the space allocated when they apply. He said he would envision it taking an afternoon to relocate the boundaries. Dr. Brown asked for clarification about the fire truck access and the lights, and Mr. Tolbert said fire trucks need 14’ of vertical clearance. Dr. Brown said he would prefer to keep the light design as it is.