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received $5 million from a regional cities grant and we also have a little bit of TIF monies <br /> earmarked for this. We have a$1 million partnership with Notre Dame as well as a$2.5 million <br /> partnership with the Pokagon Family of Potawatomi Indians. Cumulatively, there is nearly $10 <br /> million dollars to fund the first part of this plan, specifically Howard Park. The northeast corner <br /> will have two (2) new buildings that will house the recreation center, offices, along with some <br /> Mixed-Use space like a coffee shop or bar. The two (2) buildings will be open year round for <br /> events, as well as rentals.Nearby will be what we call a `splash-plaza' or a `splash-pad.' This <br /> whole park isn't like your typical neighborhood park, it is more sophisticated. The splash-plaza <br /> will also be an ameba-shaped ice-skating rink in the winter. There will be a play area, not the <br /> typical playground area but more like playable art. St. Louis Blvd becomes what we call a <br /> festival street with different types of paving markings and parking availability. This is a much <br /> better use of the space. We are currently renovating the old Parks Admin building to house some <br /> office space. There will also be a space we are calling the event lawn. It is large enough to go fly <br /> a kite or kick a soccer ball at any time, but will also be able to hold a portable stage and host an <br /> event or a concert. Along the river-walk, the wall remains for the iconic look but there are a few <br /> spots that will jut out as a place to relax or to go fishing. It also floods along the river so we have <br /> what we are calling the wet-land habitats to keep the nature there. The sledding hill will remain. <br /> There won't be any access to the river for kayaking at Howard Park. Sietz Park is undergoing <br /> construction this fall.Notre Dame is putting their hydro-electric turbine underneath the park. It <br /> will be about an eighteen(18)month construction. The band stand will not be in the park again <br /> but we will find a new park for it. The river-walk will be redone to be wider, right now it is only <br /> about five (5) feet wide. There will be a facility with restrooms at Sietz Park. We will be getting <br /> rid of the chain link fence. All this is designed with accessibility and compliant with ADA <br /> standards. There are a number of other parks we look to connect to other parks and areas of <br /> town. We have also received a grant to receive a park score. The entity that gave us the grant <br /> assigns a score to our park, giving us the ability to compare and contrast ourselves to other parts <br /> of the country. There has been a map created to highlight where the `park desserts' are. We aim <br /> to have each resident be within a ten (10) minute walk of a park. This helps future investment <br /> decisions for parks. We are in the process of compiling our natural resources management plan <br /> scheduled to be done by June. That is a comprehensive guide to help us wrestle with decisions <br /> that need to be made. The Best Week Ever is May 29-June 4. We hope this is a signature <br /> celebration for our community. There will be something going on everywhere, every day of that <br /> week. There is plenty more to check out on BestWeekEver.com. <br /> Committee Chair Kelly turned the floor to the committee for questions for Mr. Perri. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott asked, Is Orbis a local firm? <br /> Mr. Perri replied, They are local. They were involved with the Elbel conversations. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, What are you anticipating the Mixed-Use space to be? Will <br /> it be private vendors? A public-private partnership? <br /> Mr. Perri replied, That hasn't been flushed out yet. We will have those discussions sooner rather <br /> than later but we are not at that stage yet. It is also dependent on the design of the building. All <br /> options are on the table right now. <br /> 2 <br />