Bayfront Visions Group, Duluth, MN

**Harvest of Ideas**

**History, Events, and Archive**
B.V. History \| B.V. Current Events \| B.V. News Archive *1999 Bayfront Visions Master Plan* History Background Bayfront Visions Proposal Community Impact Statement Funding Sources Resources Bayfront Site Background The location of our project has been on the last open space of land on Duluth's waterfront and is referred to as "Bayfront." It has been an open lot and the site for a major Blues Festival, Fourth of July event, the circus, and other special events. The site is owned by the Duluth Economic Development Association (DEDA) with the express purpose of creating economic development. Two other development plans for this site have been proposed over the previous years including a retail outlet mall, and a veterans memorial park featuring the battleship USS Des Moines. Both of these proposals were defeated in public referendums. A proposal called Harbor Place was created by Equinox Realty Capitol, a New York City firm hired by DEDA and had combined a historic boat display and transient boat docking, a multi-plex cinema, retail development with food and beverage, residential condominiums, public market food hall, Northland Visitors Center, and public amenities. During the winter of 1997-98, a number of citizens began working on a plan to develop the Bayfront site into one that would be respectful of the environment, the citizens of Duluth, and commercial enterprises. It would also attract citizens and visitors for recreational and economic benefits. This group was known as the Julia & Carolyn Marshall Bayfront Visions Group and the plan included an Arboretum, a Conservatory, and a Living Water Garden. Watershed Background The St. Louis River is the second largest tributary to Lake Superior and the watershed consists of 3,634 square miles in northeastern Minnesota and 263 square miles in northwestern Wisconsin. The St. Louis River has been designated as a pollution hot spot, by the International Joint Commission, and is one of 42 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. Due to this designation there has been strong community interest about the health of the St. Louis River. From its source at Seven Beaver Lake the river flows approximately 180 miles and forms a freshwater estuary as it enters Lake Superior. Parts of the upper estuary have a natural character while the lower estuary area contains many types of industries. The term estuary in this case, refers to the area where the St. Louis River and Lake Superior meet, and has no connotation of salinity. When the estuary was first charted in 1861, most of the shoreline of the estuary was low and marshy. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates that over 3,000 acres of march and open water have been filled in the lower estuary and that bout 4,000 acres have been dredged for shipping and industrial uses. This leaves approximately 5,000 acres which have not been drastically altered, most of which is found in the upper estuary. The walleye (Stizostedion vitreum v. ) that inhabit the St. Louis estuary and western Lake Superior (west of the Apostle Islands) utilize a one-mile stretch of riffle areas on the St. Louis River almost exclusively for their spawning area. Tagging studies conducted on walleye strongly suggest that the major portion of western Lake Superior walleye are from the St. Louis River spawning area. A 1979 report on bird habitats in the St. Louis estuary (Niemi) identified a total of 232 species of birds utilizing this habitat. Such high species diversity is attributed to the presence of Lake Superior, large marshes and sandy areas, and the high productivity associated with the estuary. Current and historical point source discharges in the St. Louis River Area of Concern include both conventional and toxic pollutants from municipal, industrial and non-point discharges. Conventional water quality parameters affected by discharges include dissolloved oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Toxic pollutants of concern include heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and organic compounds such as PAHs, PCBs, and dioxins. The St. Louis Watershed is the site of three Federal Superfund Hazardous Waste Sites (St. Louis River/Interlake, St. Louis River/US Steel and the Arrowhead Refinery). The facilities that previously occupied the sites are known to have discharged directly to the river and have contaminated soil and ground water. These unique watershed characteristics are what we wish to incorporate in our Living Water Garden concept and educational themes. Objectives of the Living Water Garden: Demonstrate the ability for wetlands to cleans water Demonstrate a unique way for handling storm water runoff by processing runoff through the Living Water Garden. Create wetland habitat (Chengdus site is now teaming with bird life) Educate the public about the St. Louis River, Estuary, and wetland functions Provide public access to river (this could become the official starting point for the kayak trail that circles Lake Superior) and maintain open space Beautifying water front Community involvement, community pride (student, artist, and scientist involvement) Tie into other waterfront public amenities (Lake Walk, sculptures, etc.) Reduces stigma of the Area of Concern designation for the community Bayfront Visions - Arboretum / Conservatory / Living Water Garden Proposal During the winter of 1997-98, a number of citizens, taking concepts of the 2001 visioning process, began working on a plan to develop the Bayfront site in to on e that would be respectful of the environment, the citizens of Duluth, and commercial enterprises. It would also attract citizens and visitors for recreational and economic benefits. This group is known as the Juila & Carolyn Marshall Bayfront Visions Group and the plan includes an Arboretum, a Conservatory, and a Living Water Gardens. The foundations of this plan include: A place for residents and visitors Limit uses to those requiring or enhanced by a waterfront location Retain unpaved open space with limited, low profile structures A mix of recreation, education, event-based, and informal open space with limited commercial uses to support these activities Components of Bayfront Visions Plan Festival Park Major open space to continue festival activities with performance stage and terrain improvements, permanent rest room facilities. Arboretum and Botanical Conservatory: Plant displays, seasonal and even displays, specialty garden item gift shop, teaching classrooms, public use rental space/ weddings/ special events, sculpture display, donor recognition areas. Living Water Gardens: Treats river and/or runoff water through natural processes including: settling ponds, simulated river beds, flow form sculptures to aerate water, constructed wetlands, fountain and recreation area. Equinox Reality Capitol Plan: E.R.C., a New York based consulting firm, submitted a proposal to the Duluth Economic Development Authority for the Harbor Place proposal. Built initially around slip #2 with a Working Harbor Theme, Harbor Place combines: Historic boat display and transient boat docking Multi-plex cinema High quality retail and food and beverage Residential condominiums Public market food hall Northland Visitors Center Public amenities Mayor Doty has created a Task Force to look at these two plans and see where compromise and collaboration can occur. The Bayfront Visions group supports this process. The most recent event surround the Bayfront parcel is the donation of one million dollars to the city of Duluth for development of the festival grounds (about 4 acres) from Lois Paulucci, wife of famed pasta frozen food magnet Jeno Paulucci and is prepared to donate $two million for expansion and improvements at Bayfront Festival Park. This donation will pay for a consultant to work with the existing Bayfront Task Force in coming up with a plan for the park area. The Paulucci donation will provide for public improvements to park property. Top of page Bayfront Visions Proposal MASTER PLAN Bayfront Visions Group believes that the remaining Bayfront Property needs a master plan to optimize its unique waterfront and downtown location. We envision the Bayfront developed as public open space to include a Festival Park, Visitor Center, Botanical Gardens and Transient Boat Basin, while remaining respectful of the existing Playfront Park and LaFarge Duluth Terminal. These key components represent a broad spectrum of community interests, and we believe that the City should look beyond property lines to plan for the complete parcel, working with the specific citizen groups to develop the full potential and to determine management and funding for each part. DULUTH BAYFRONT GARDENS The Conservatory, Arboretum, and Living Water Garden are three components of the Duluth Bayfront Gardens, the primary focus of the Bayfront Visions Group. The Conservatory (former Duluth plans have called this a Wintergarden) is the centerpiece, and could be constructed in the first of several phases. We propose that Duluth Bayfront Gardens be managed by Bayfront Visions Non-Profit Corporation. Conservatory All season glass enclosed gardens Changing events and living displays to attract year around visitors Education through special events, resource library and teaching classrooms Garden specialties gift shop to include book, photographic, and painting sales Public rental space for weddings and special events Coffee and sandwich shop Worldwide Botanical Garden Tours arranged Connections to Visitors Center, skywalk to Depot parking ramp, Lakewalk and Baywalk. Arboretum Emphasizing ties between Native plants, Native peoples and Lake Superior Landscape demonstration areas provide backdrop and transition to Festival park Seasonal display gardens Research field trials Educational Programs Winter recreation for snowshoes, sledding hill, skating pond, snow and ice sculptures Summer Art and Sculpture displays Performance art Special Events Living Water Garden Artful treatment of diverted storm water through natural processes Naturally cleansing parking lot and building water run off before it returns to St. Louis Bay Constructed wetlands and river beds demonstrate the role of plants in the water cycle Aerating sculptures Splash ponds and fountains to play in Integrates environmental education with aesthetics, recreation and water treatment Living Water Garden will complement the Great Lakes Aquarium exhibits Top of page Community Impact Statement The Bayfront Visions Proposal meets the desires of the community as reflected in the 2001 Survey completed by Duluthians earlier this decade. The community values desired by citizens in new economic development were identified as industries which pay competitive, family-sustaining wages, are environmentally friendly, and which maintain and enhance the quality of life. FAMILY-SUSTAINING WAGES / ECONOMIC IMPACT Employment Impact: The Arboretum and Conservatory will require a full time professional work force in the fields of horticulture, administration, marketing and maintenance of the specialized facilities and their systems Seasonal and part time opportunities will be plentiful for college students The construction of the facilities will provide jobs for trades in the region Leased services within the Conservatory will provide jobs to privately owned businesses such as catering, vending, photography, artists and growers The A.A.B.G.A. has conducted research which documents "...for each job created by a botanical garden, 0.67 of a service job is created, and for each $1.00 in revenues, an additional $0.92 was brought into the economy. Tourism Industry Impact: A Conservatory will be a new, year around, attraction for Duluth The Arboretum will frame a visitorÕs first view of Lake Superior as they enter The Duluth Bayfront Gardens will complement the Great Lakes Aquarium Our unique downtown location will expand the number of Conservatory visits Links to the Arboretum and Conservatory will naturally draw a percentage of the 3 million people who annually use the Lakewalk The A.A.B.G.A. further reports that "Tourists who visit cultural or historic sites tend to stay longer and spend more. An individual cultural tourist results in an average of $490 in net spending and another $480 in induced spending." The A.A.B.G.A. has also found that as part of events, for each dollar spent on a ticket or facility rental, another $3.20 is spent on average on goods related to the event. This is particularly true of wedding rentals; anniversary parties and other events which will be held in the conservatory itself. With the inclusion of the Visitor's Center, well over 125,000 people per year will access information at the Conservatory Residents and visitors will have a new reason to come downtown in all seasons The Arboretum and Conservatory offer new opportunities to attract group tours to Duluth for special displays and events Increased World wide interest in Eco-tourism and gardening could be tapped Duluth residents & visitors are interested in natural beauty and our ÒUrban Wilderness Other Conservatories in the Great Lakes region are experiencing growth ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INDUSTRIES Duluth Bayfront Gardens will showcase Duluth's respect for the natural environment, and is an ideal complement to the neighboring Great Lakes Aquarium Duluth Bayfront Gardens will serve citizens and businesses of the Lake Superior region as a botanical resource for our unique climate Duluth Bayfront Gardens will provide a ideal area to test and develop plants for Northern climates The Living Water Garden component of the Arboretum will complete the link between land and water based education and recreation as it naturally cleans run off from parking lots, roofs, and freeway in the Central Business District The Arboretum will provide a green gateway to Duluth and our Northern boreal forest Future generations will view the alive and lively waterfront as this generation's commitment to a beautiful and healthy environment. TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE Many of Duluth's local residents were originally visitors to the area, who have chosen this area for a better quality of life. Some have opened their own successful small businesses and bring new products, services, ideas and experiences to enrich the community. Duluth Bayfront Gardens will entice a new group of visitors to experience Duluth; some will come to visit, others will return to stay. Support for this plan is broad based across the community and region. Skywalk systems connecting to downtown will complete the pedestrian circuit Downtown workers could explore an "urban wilderness" on a lunch hour A Winter Garden will lift spirits and provide health benefits of light, heat and humidity New educational opportunities will be provided for all ages Open space is needed to offset existing intense development in Canal Park The work environment of tomorrow will value healthy communities with a variety of recreational opportunities for employees that encourage healthful living An urban arboretum will provide a unique benefit to the downtown community Quality of life is the number one reason why business locates in Duluth Top of page Funding Sources The Bayfront Visions Group is a citizen volunteer organization offering to work with the Bayfront Task Force, City Council, DEDA and administration in creating a financing strategy for the future uses on the Bayfront site. It is our belief that a financing strategy should develop in concert with the examination of various land uses and activities for which this site is uniquely suited. The concept and location lends itself well to a partnership of public and private funding. The following is our division of the overall financing task and a list of possible sources: ACQUISITION Includes satisfaction of City and DEDA responsibilities in past acquisitions as well as any additional private parcels required. CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION Sources, uses, ownership structure of the various site components; public and private need to be determined. A construction cost estimate for the Conservatory is attached. OPERATION A critical part of a financing strategy of a project such as this is the projection of operational finances and identifying the operating entities, public and private. Operating programs need to be expanded and verified to test the level of self-sufficiency of the various proposed uses. The attached Revenue and Expense projections are based on research of comparable uses and organizational structures. We are finding a strong national level of activity in large and small communities that includes reciprocal membership and other cross promotional activity of a circuit of facilities that are frequented throughout the year. Site components such as the Festival Park and the Visitor Information Center also have significant capital and operating economic considerations that need to be integrated into the overall thinking of Bayfront finances. Income potential of an improved Festival Park needs to be examined. FUNDING SOURCES TO BE RESEARCHED: PUBLIC Tax Increment Financing. The existing district structure, possible district amendments, capacity from existing and projected increment, etc. Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, DNR, to local units, up to 50% of acquisition and/or development costs for local parks and recreation areas, max grant presently $50,000, discussion under way to raise limits to $250,000, applications will be accepted for more than existing limit. Redevelopment Grant Program, DTED, to local units, to assist with "complex and costly redevelopment projects that might not occur without public financial assistance". Grants to local units, up to 50% of acquisition, demolition, infrastructure improvement, ponding or other environmental infrastructure costs, at least 25% of program funds to go to "Greater Minnesota", application deadline cycles April 1st and October 1st. Cooperative Water Recreation Grant Programs, DNR, focuses on public boat access, fishing piers and pump out stations. A ramp would not be appropriate at this location but there may be a means to use this source to help with some parts of a visitor boat basin, small source. Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (funded Como Conservatory St. Paul. Bonding - 2002 session. Discussions have begun about a major statewide open space acquisition initiative to be part of the state capital improvements budget. Federal Lands Legacy Initiative. Land and Water Conservation Fund would be revived. LAWCON has not been a viable source for years but would become a source under administration's new budget. Lands Legacy includes $588 million to local units for protecting local green spaces. Congressman Oberstar is contact. Better America Bonds. New proposed federal financing tool, creating bonding authority for local units to preserve green space and create urban parks. TEA-21. Congressman Oberstar, as ranking member, is familiar with this source. Includes natural habitat and wetland mitigation "banks", creating consolidated areas of wetlands and natural habitat to replace small areas disturbed by highway construction. (Living Water Garden) Federal Funding for Duluth Bayfront Gardens, American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta publication to be examined for sources. Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program is a newly approved coastal resource program for the North Shore of Lake Superior through the Coastal Zone Management Act. Grant Funds will be available for redevelopment of deteriorating or underutilized urban waterfronts; public access; educational projects; interpretative efforts; engineering designs and specifications, and planning initiatives. PRIVATE SOURCES Duluth Bayfront Gardens would be a showcase for plant and other natural resources, which would benefit many industries important to this region. Botanical gardens worldwide have received these types of support. Horticulture Industry: Major Minnesota Wholesalers These growers and re-sellers supply product to retailers throughout the region: Bailey Nurseries, Inc., St. Paul, J.R. Johnson Supply, St. Paul, BachmanÕs, Minneapolis. Regional Landscapers and Garden Centers including Edelweiss Landscaping, EngwallÕs Florist and Garden Center, Grussendorf Nursery, Hammarlund Nursery, Lake Superior Garden Center, London Road Garden Center, Northern Lights Landscaping, Mac's Landscaping Center, and others. National Companies supplying products to the area including Monrovia Nurseries, Scotts and Monsanto. Wood Products Industry The wood fiber and lumber industry are major components of the regional economy and numerous businesses should be contacted for support. These would include the following companies which operate in Duluth and the region: Lake Superior Paper, Georgia Pacific (Super Wood and Superior Fiber Products), Owen Forest Products, Potlatch, Boise Cascade, Blandin Corporation, and Duluth Timber Company. Health Care Industry The Bayfront Gardens development has the potential to improve the physical and mental health of area visitors and residents. Horticulture therapy is recognized as a discipline providing beneficial physical activity while improving the psychological well being of participants. Major Duluth area institutions and organizations which should be contacted for support include SMDC (Duluth Clinic and St. Mary's Medical Center), St. Mary's Foundation, St. LukeÕs Hospital, Miller Dwan Medical Center, Miller Dwan Foundation, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Mental Health Association of Greater Duluth. Non Profit and Educational. Public and private schools, colleges and universities, and agencies serving adults would directly benefit from development of Duluth Bayfront Gardens by providing opportunities for partnerships in creating significant educational and community enriching activities. Civic organizations and area foundations are often supportive of community projects. Local examples would be: Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Optimist Club, Northland Foundation, Duluth-Superior Community Area Foundation, Blandin Foundation. Other non-profit organizations with an interest in this development would include: Duluth Flower and Garden Society, Eighth District Horticultural Society, Duluth Rose Society, St. Louis County Master Gardeners, Minnesota State Horticulture Society, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Duluth Hortus Club. Individual Contributors The Duluth area has a tradition of generous individuals and families contributing to worthwhile civic projects. Most developments of this type have been initiated through the generosity and foresight of individuals with the means and will to support this type of development. Search of other corporate and foundation sources based on their guidelines of interest. An example of a "discovery" in this process is REI's Great Places Program supporting urban green places and outdoor opportunities to people who might not otherwise have access to outdoor activity. LIVING WATER GARDEN In addition to many of the sources listed above, the following have been researched as potential funding sources specific to the Living Water Garden component of the plan. Foundations The Foundations listed below have been researched from the Environmental Grantmaking Foundations 1997 Directory and have previously funded either land acquisition, water quality, parks and recreation or environmental education. Many of these Foundations are Minnesota based and support land acquisition, capitol costs and/or operating expenses. Blandin Foundation Jennifer Altman Foundation Education Foundation of America Anderson Foundation McKnight Artist Fellowship (Living Water Garden) Turner Foundation Merck Rockefeller Family Fund Tides Foundation Cargill Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Fund Rathmann Family Fund Ben & JerryÕs Foundation Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation Bush Foundation Patagonia Grotto Foundation Marbrook Watershed Assistance Grants Programs (an EPA funded program administered independently) Brainerd Foundation Butler Family Foundation State Funds Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources DNR Matching Grants for Natural Resource Projects - March 31, 1999 deadline (Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program and Outdoor Recreation grant program - a 50% match is required) Minnesota DNR - wildlife habitat, water (DNR funded the Como water quality wetlands). Great Lakes Protection Funds County Soil and Water Conservation Districts Cooperative Water Recreation Grant Programs - DNR - focuses on public boat access 1% for Art program (Living Water Garden) Board of Water and Soil Resources State Arts Board (Living Water Garden) Redevelopment Grant Program (DTED) - to local units of government to assist with complex and costly redevelopment projects that might not occur without public financial assistance. Up to 50% of acquisition and other costs with at least 25% of program funds going to Greater Minnesota. Deadline April 1 and October 1. Federal Funds EPA Environmental Education Grants Region V and Great Lakes National Program Office funds Land and Water Conservation Fund (need to contact Congressman Oberstar and staff) TEA-21 - perhaps for wetland mitigation (Living Water Garden) EPA Nonpoint source funds - 319 funds Watershed assistance grants Great Lakes National Program Office Brownfield redevelopment funds Potential Long Term Operating Support University of Minnesota Lake Superior College - horticulture program City of Duluth DNR Top of page Resources BAYFRONT VISIONS WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE AND FACILITIES FOR VOLUNTEERING THEIR KNOWLEDGE, TIME AND EXPERIENCE IN RESEARCHING AND/OR REVIEWING THE PROJECTIONS IN THIS DOCUMENT: Liz Bieter, Director Sales and Marketing, Duluth Timber Company, Duluth, Minnesota Don Bleau, President, Grandma's Restaurant Company John Bray, Public Affairs Director, MN D.O.T Duluth district Greg Brisky, Dwight Swanstrom Company/Western Realty Company/Insurance Robert J. Bruce, Principal, Carduus Consulting, Duluth, Minnesota Nancy Buley, Marketing/Communications The Oregon Gardens, Silverton, Oregon Eleanor Burkett, Horticulturist, London Road Garden Center The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Inc., Dallas, Texas Brian A. Daugherty, V.P. Marketing and Sales Promotion, Grandma's Restaurant Company Margaret Haapoja, Herald-Review weekly Garden Columnist, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Richard L. Haney, Director, Recreational Sports, UMD, Duluth, Minnesota Kathleen Hannan, Master Gardener Jamie Harvie, City of Duluth EAC Chair Jill Jacoby, St. Louis River Watch Tom Kasper, City Gardener John L. King, Director, UMD Facilities Management Glenn Kreag, Extension Educator, Tourism/Minnesota Sea Grant College Program, U of MN Richard W. Lichty, Professor, UMD Bureau of Business and Economic Research working with Jean Jacobson and Arnela Smajlovic Tom Livingston, ProVideo Productions, Duluth, Minnesota Don Long, Development and Membership Coordinator, A.A.B.G.A. Chris Mackey, President Bayfront Blues Festival Dan R. McClelland, Curator of Historic Grounds, Glensheen, Duluth, Minnesota Paul F. Morris, FASLA, Landscape Architect, McKeever/Moris, Inc, Portland, Oregon Mariann Muzzi, Rental Coordinator, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin Julie Francke, Horticulturist, Meijer Gardens Robert Olen, Extension Agent, University of Minnesota/St. Louis County Peter J. Olin, Director, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Robert E. Olson, President/Architect [Meijer Gardens] Cox Medendorp Olson Architects, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Clayton R. Oslund, Garden Authors; A.A.B.G.A., retired U of MN Educator Nancy Ragland, Manager Olbrich Botanical Garden, Madison, Wisconsin Jason D. Rice, News Anchor/Reporter, KBJR TV, Duluth Candice Richards, Associate Director, UMD Facilities Management Craig Samborski, Entertainment Director/ DECC, Duluth, Minnesota J.Frank Schmnidt & Son Co., Boring-Portland, Oregon Deborah J. Shubat, Instructor, UMD Biology/Senior Research Plot Technician Linda Strom, Graphics Design, Duluth, Minnesota Lynn VanDervort, Marketing Director, Glensheen, Duluth, Minnesota Ken Wenger, Assistant Director, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan Kent G. Worley, Landscape Architect, Duluth, Minnesota Paul Winship, Architect, Architects IV Tom Vecchi, Jr., Vendomatic of Duluth/Superior, Inc. And all the countless others who have offered support and VISION for Duluth's Bayfront. Top of page Events MAYORAL CANDIDATES & SPAGHETTI EVENT: On THURSDAY, October 30, 2003, the Bayfront Visions Group is sponsoring a meeting, and spaghetti supper, with the mayoral candidates to discuss proposals and options for the Duluth Bayfront. This will not be a debate. It will be a time for the candidates to learn more about what BVG has been promoting for Duluth Bayfront and for BVG to hear from the candidates what their visions are for bayfront development. The format will be very informal. We have invited the candidates to join us to discuss current proposals from BVG, to hear your individual comments, and to share with us their visions about how the Duluth Bayfront can/should be developed. We expect that you will be able to individually interact with Mr. Bell and Mr. Bergson as well as listen to discussions of others. PLEASE JOIN US. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 5:30 P.M. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (THE COPPER TOP CHURCH) SOCIAL HALL (LOWER LEVEL) 230 E. SKYLINE PARKWAY SPAGHETTI SUPPER WILL BE SERVED (DONATIONS APPRECIATED) We look forward to your participation. Annual Meeting: November 9, 2000 Monthly Board Meetings: 2nd Thursday at 5:15 Goodwill Industries Building Duluth, MN September-October 2000 includs preparing an Application for Funding Grant which will deal with Conservatory Pre-Design Services, primarly focusing on facility planning, space needs assessments, space and activity relationships, and the myriad of things related to early planning and budgeting for an exciting Botanical Conservatory facility at Bayfront. October sees the beginning of working toward obtaining some forms of graphic images of the Botanical Conservatory facility. Intent will be to visually convey such things as location, size, appearance and site relationships in order to study and evaluate facility options, and to convey this early planning, evaluation, options & design process. Graphic results will be available on our web page, and these will be valuable assets in our continued searches for funding in order to more precisely show these aspects of the Conservatory. Top of page News Archive Past & Present Bayfront Vision have been a topic of discussion and publication. In case you missed any of these wonderful news articles we have them right here! You may browse to your heart's content. All of our archive is published with permission from the appropriate sources, please respect them as we have and ask for permission first before copying information for your use. Enjoy! Duluth News Tribune Articles Budgeteer Articles (by publication date) DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE Date: July 25, 2000 Section: LOCAL & STATE NEWS BAYFRONT TASK FORCE MAKES BIG PLANS FOR LAND VISITOR CENTER, CONSERVATORY AND BOAT BASIN STILL NEED PUBLIC SUPPORT, FUNDING By Martiga Lohn/News Tribune staff writer Giving shape to the undeveloped land around the planned Bayfront Festival Park, the Bayfront Task Force on Monday recommended construction of a visitor center, conservatory, boat basin and a limited amount of commercial and residential development. Now all that's needed is public backing and money -- potentially lots of it. Mayor Gary Doty and task force co-chairs Rosemary Guttormsson and Bob Beaudin declined Monday to say how much the land-use recommendations west and south of the festival park could cost. ``Money is an issue,'' Doty said. ``We're going to pursue all avenues. . . . My hope is that we'll be able to do all these things.'' Doty is undertaking a fund-raising campaign to raise $2 million for Bayfront Festival Park. Including engineering fees, the park's design will cost an estimated $4 million, the mayor said. Half that amount has been pledged by Lois Paulucci, wife of Hibbing native and frozen food businessman Jeno Paulucci. For the conservatory, visitor center and boat basin, city officials again will search for a combination of state and federal dollars and private backing. Bayfront commercial development could happen sooner because it wouldn't require public financing, said Beaudin, a former Duluth mayor. Although controversial, the commercial development could generate the taxes to help pay for the other projects, he added. ``That gives you an ability to do some tax-increment financing for other public facilities that we would like to see included in the plan,'' Beaudin said. ``I don't think any one of these projects is doable strictly as a volunteer effort. It would need the help of government.'' The task force report to Doty includes the following recommendations: A visitor center and botanical conservatory with a skywalk leading to the Depot. An estimate last year by the Bayfront Visions Group put the cost of a conservatory at $7.5 million and a visitors center at $1 million. The group plans to work with Doty to raise funds; landscape architect Kent Worley said the group has more than 60 potential funding sources. Once built, the conservatory could cover its operating costs through admissions and food and gift sales, Worley added. A boat basin formed by widening part of Slip No. 2. Beaudin and Guttormsson said the basin could provide a permanent home for historic tall ships, tugboats and perhaps the Coast Guard cutter Sundew after it's decommissioned. Short-term boat docking could happen near the festival park's main stage, Beaudin added. Shops and possible residential development to the southwest of Slip No. 2. Task force recommendations would limit commercial and residential development to 32,000 square feet and no more than three stories. The task force also recommended that buildings share a design theme, such as Norwegian village or boathouse architecture. Public green space between the festival park, boat basin and conservatory. Walkways that could be extended west of the cement plant. A ``living water'' demonstration garden somewhere in the area. The garden would demonstrate how to clean, filter and cool runoff water before returning it to the lake, Worley said. Worley, a landscape architect, was the only member of the Bayfront Task Force who didn't sign off on the task force report. Worley said that he doesn't think the bayfront has enough space to hold the commercial development. But he said he's pleased with the rest of the recommendations, which mirrored most of the Bayfront Visions Group's bayfront vision. ``We're really pleased,'' Worley said. ``Just think of all the things that land did not become.'' Between March 1999 and May 2000, the task force considered bayfront plans ranging from a multiplex theater to a community center to an arboretum. Earlier ideas for development included an outlet mall, a park surrounding the retired Navy cruiser USS Des Moines and a bus garage. The Duluth Economic Development Authority owns almost 40 acres stretching from the Great Lakes Aquarium around the Lafarge cement plant to the Cutler-Magner salt facility. The task force didn't address future land use west of the cement plant, except to say that DEDA should keep the land for future public or industrial development. In September, Guttormsson and Beaudin plan to visit community clubs, social organizations and other groups to promote the bayfront recommendations. More detailed plans and votes by DEDA and the Duluth City Council won't come until later, they said. All content © 2000 DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE and may not be republished without permission. Top of page Date: May 18, 2000 Section: FRONT PUBLIC GETS LOOK AT FINAL PARK PLAN COST ESTIMATES EXCEED PAULUCCI DONATION BY $1 MILLION By Jason Skog/News Tribune staff writer A plan for a new Bayfront Festival Park was unveiled Wednesday along with a potential price tag of $3.1 million, about a million dollars more than the city has budgeted. The park features open space large enough to accommodate at least 15,000 people during large events like the Bayfront Blues Festival. It also includes walking paths, a pond with a bridge that serves as the park's main entrance, areas for vendors and portable restrooms, harbor overlooks and a permanent stage. The design is being called a ``final composite concept plan'' based on three previous plans that were reviewed by a committee of local experts, elected officials, city staff and members of the public. On tuesday, the latest plan was approved by Lois Paulucci, who is donating $2 million toward the planning and construction of the new park. She is the wife of frozen food magnate Jeno Paulucci. According to City Architect Gerald Johnson, the Paulucci family is pleased with the final design. "They are very excited about the plan," Johnson said. "They wholly endorse it and we are very excited about that." But cost estimates for the plan exceed the Paulucci donation, and the city currently does not have the resources to pay for the remaining million or so. "Right now we're talking about limiting the project to the $2 million from the Pauluccis'," he said. Elements in the final plan include: A large open space shaped much like a baseball diamond with a 2 percent grade from the stage to the back that can accommodate 15,000 or more people. It is the largest open space set forth among the plans to date. An entry plaza leading to a covered bridge over retention pond that might be used for skating in the winter. An area for a second stage near the main stage located in the corner near Slip No. 2 and the waterfront. Three deck areas near the harbor for picnics, sightseeing or fishing. A boardwalk along the waterfront connecting to the existing boardwalk and joining a paved trail that runs the entire perimeter of the park. Permanent restroom facilities at the edge of the park nearest Railroad Street. An access road from Railroad Street along Slip No. 2 to the rear of the main stage. The road would accommodate trucks and other supply vehicles for major events. Now the Bayfront Festival Park Management Committee shepherding the design process is looking at ways to phase in the construction of the new park to keep costs in line with the $2 million from the Pauluccis'. Lois Paulucci could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The latest plan is the culmination of months of discussions, drawings, surveys and redrawings. It is also separate from efforts to redevelop the surrounding bayfront land owned by the Duluth Economic Development Authority. A list of recommendations for that property was finalized late last month. Todd Halunen, a landscape architect with BRW Inc., in the Twin Cities, was lead designer on the Bayfront Festival Park project. ``This plan is a composite of what we saw months ago and we tried to take the elements people liked and incorporate them into a single plan,'' Halunen said. Members of the committee seemed to approve of the plan unveiled Wednesday. The next step is determining in what order the park should be built, Johnson said. Two of the major costs are expected to be the permanent stage, conservatively estimated at almost $500,000. Grading and soil amendments are expected to cost roughly $415,000 and permanent restrooms could cost more than $100,000. GRAPHIC: News-Tribune Graphic showing proposed Bayfront Festival park. Howard Merriam of BRW Inc. explains the new plan for Bayfront Festival Park Wednesday to members of the Bayfront Festival Park Management Committee. The $3.1 million plan calls for walking paths, harbor overlooks and room for 15,000 people to attend events. All content © 2000 DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE and may not be republished without permission. Top of page Date: April 27, 2000 Section: FRONT CITY TASK FORCE SETTLES ON PLAN FOR BAYFRONT 12-1 VOTE CAPS LENGTHY PROCESS OF DEVELOPING COVETED SPACE By Jason Skog/News Tribune staff writer After more than a year of meetings, the Bayfront Festival Task force on Wednesday approved a final set of recommendations for what to do with the city's prized bayfront land. In a 12-1 vote, the group, appointed by Mayor Gary Doty on March 17, 1999, signed off on a long list of features they would like to see included in the development of the idled property. Among the recommendations: a Bayfront Festival Park, a visitor center, a botanical conservatory, a boat basin and a modestly sized commercial component with the possibility of housing included. The land considered for the development is limited to the easterly portion of the bayfront property between the east property line of the Lafarge cement plant, to the west of Bayfront Park, and Fifth Avenue West. Doty said Wednesday night he was pleased that the task force came to an agreement, taking a ``huge step'' in the development process. ``That group had probably four or five different ideas of concepts . . . (for the plan). And to come to a nearly unanimous consensus indicates that it's going to be a representation of the feelings in the community. . . . It's really kind of amazing.'' Doty said the city administration will put together suggestions on the plan and present them the City Council and the Duluth Economic Development Authority as needed. He also said there are lots of unanswered questions in a planning process that will take several years. ``Is it going to be one developer? Is it going to be more than one developer? . . . How is it all going to be paid for? Certainly we don't have all the public money available and we have some expensive components (in the plan). We (the city) may not have the money to do those things. . . . It has to be a mix of public and private dollars,'' he said. Right now, the task force's suggestions are merely in document form. A comprehensive plan dealing exclusively with the Bayfront Festival Park portion is well under way. A final version of the proposed plan is expected to be completed by mid-May. The mayor appointed the broad-based task force after it was clear that several groups pitching ideas for the property were miles apart from reaching a consensus. But after months of meetings, most members of the committee could point to at least one part they supported. The task force is also recommending: Connecting the proposed visitors center and botanical conservatory. A publicly owned transitional green space between the festival park and the botanical conservatory available for use during large events and to the conservatory and public at other times. A living water gardens demonstration be incorporated into the designs. The easterly portion of the property incorporate identifiable and easy flowing pedestrian walkways that can be extended into the area west of the cement plant. Creative approaches be explored to minimize parking surfaces while insuring adequate parking to meet the needs. Other uses like a lakewalk extension, historical interpretation and public art be considered although the space of the land has priority. Only member Kent Worley voted against the final set of recommendations. Worley, a representative of the grassroots Bayfront Visions Group that pressed hard for a conservatory (and got it) and wanted little or no commercial space, insisted the task force proposal would overtax the land. ``I see this . . . as something that would seriously degrade and kill the entire festival park,'' Worley told the task force. ``If this would be done, nothing would work. You are asking too much of that piece of land.'' On Wednesday, Worley presented the group with an overlay depicting what he felt would be the effect of the proposal on the property. Other members resented that move. ``This committee is supposed to be about compromise,'' said Marcia Hales, former Duluth city councilor. ``There has been a lot of compromise. Now, to have this map dropped on us at the last minute, I don't think that's right.'' But Worley had defenders, including former Duluth City Planner Jerry Kimball. ``I respect him for sticking to his guns,'' said Kimball, who voted in favor of the recommendations. Kimball and others suggested Worley specify what portions of the proposal he opposed, recognizing there were others he supported. Worley said he was mainly against a larger boat basin that would take some land from the adjacent property and he disliked the retail and commercial or ``mixed use'' component. Scott Keenan, another former city councilor, said he agreed about sparing as much of the bayfront land as possible by sticking with the existing water provided by slip No. 2, immediately west of Bayfront Park. ``Personally, I think we're a little land-poor down there,'' he said. Jason Skog covers Duluth city government and the community. He can be reached at (218) 723-5330 or by e-mail: jskog@duluthnews.com Illustration: GRAPHIC: News-Tribune Graphic showing Bayfront Festival Park. All content © 2000 DULUTH NEWS-TRIBUNE and may not be republished without permission. All archives are stored on a SAVE (tm) newspaper library system from MediaStream Inc., a Knight Ridder, Inc. company. Top of page Budgeteer (Duluth) Date: Aug. 25, 2000 Several Minnesota gardens worth a visit Tom Kasper - For the Budgeteer News As I had mentioned in my previous column, my wife and I visited several gardens in the Midwest this summer . Those included gardens in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., and gardens in St. Cloud and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Wisconsin has Boerner Gardens in Milwaukee and Olbrich Gardens in Madison. Minnesota has Munsinger/Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen and the Como Park Conservatory. And, of course, the unparalleled beauty of Leif Erikson Rose Garden and Enger Park Gardens in Duluth. All of these gardens are spectacular. Each has a unique setting to create a special feel about the communities and the importance that they place upon their public gardens. I suggest visiting them all, as often as you can. St. Cloud boasts two very special gardens divided only by a slow moving roadway. Munsinger Garden, located along the lower east bank on the Mississippi River, is part of Riverside Park. It was built in 1915 and named in honorof a former superintendent of parks. It is spectacular. Many of the gardens were built under mature oak, pine and tamarack trees to give that cool shady feel to these well maintained gardens. We spent many hours in this part of the garden enjoying shade provided by these massive trees. Munsinger Garden also contains several fountains and waterways built during the WPA days of the 1930s. They were masterfully built of local stone to create natural appearing amenities to the garden. I especially enjoyed the small stream, with its border plantings and wishing well, that meanders through the grounds. During our visit to Munsinger Garden, the annuals were alive with color. Begonias, salvia, impatiens and cleome dominated the landscape with over 100,000 plants all grown in on-site greenhouses. They were used as feature plants in gardens or as border plants for perennials such as hostas. There were also ligularia, hollyhock, astilbe, bee balm and many other perennials to enjoy. In addition to the hundreds of walking visitors, there were numerous winged ones. The landscape was adorned with butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, finches, and many others, to name a few. Recently added at Munsinger is an outdoor wedding chapel. It contains a raised brick platform surrounded by arbitrate trees and many blooming plants. During our visit to Munsinger numerous weddings took place in this chapel under the trees. Just up a small plant-lined pathway lies Clemens Garden. It has it all -- fountains, roses, benches, statuary, bricks, restrooms, gift shop and thousands and thousands of plants. Clemens Garden was created in the early 1900s on land purchased and donated to the city of St. Cloud by Bill Clemens. He wanted the land to be developed into a rose garden that his wife and others could enjoy. It has now grown into so much more. The rose garden was the first component of the garden built. It consists of over 1,200 roses of many varieties all creatively placed along brick walkways. You can enjoy hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, shrub, climber and tree roses all in this one area. In the center of the garden is a small, delicately flowing fountain to soothe the sounds of the world outside. Next to the rose garden are a series of gardens each containing hundreds of flowers both annual and perennial in nature. Each of these gardens has a fountain as the centerpiece and numerous benches to sit upon and enjoy the splendor. Each garden carries a theme, one whole area is a blue garden, another is white, another is yellow, and another is red. They each were unbelievable, all in full bloom. I was in awe of the last garden; they called it their Treillage Garden. It contains a cast iron arbor dome 100 feet long and 20 feet high. It is slowly being covered with clematis vines of many different colors. Inside the dome area was a beautiful fountain delicately spraying water. All of the cast iron ornamentation and statuary used throughout Clemens Garden was built by Robinson Iron of Alabama and shipped to Minnesota and constructed on site. The most recent addition to the garden is a large, ornate fountain containing birds and multiple layers of water splashing down. I recently talked with one of the on-site gardeners for Clemens Gardens, who said the garden is still in full bloom and is outstanding right now. So I suggest taking a day off of work or spend a Saturday or Sunday and drive to St. Cloud. You won't be sorry you did. Next column we will cover Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen and the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. Tom Kasper is the park and maintenance coordinator for the city of Duluth. Top of page Date: May 19, 2000 Bayfront has too few acres for retail development Kent Worley - Guest Columnist for the Budgeteer News Regarding Bayfront, it is important for the public to know there are several key points of support and agreement with the current Task Force. Bayfront Visions' plan has included, from the beginning, these land uses which are now endorsed by the Task Force: 1. Bayfront Festival Park; 2. Transient and historic display craft mooring facility (Slip No. 2); 3. Botanical Conservatory with combined Visitor Center; 4. Future Bayfront skywalk connection; 5. Publicly owned transitional green space; 6. Integration of Living Water Garden demonstration project; 7. Support uses such as baywalk/lakewalk, historical interpretation and public art. These are the very reasons the Bayfront Visions Master Plan was made public after the Equinox presentation -- to confirm what was usable from their plan and to expand public use components. The points of disagreement are because, if these additional uses listed below were implemented, they would cause the total site to be compromised to a point that each individual facility would be negatively impacted. There simply is not enough acreage to locate the excessive mixed use retail/commercial and extended boat basin in any reasonable combination with the Festival Park, Botanical Conservatory and Visitor Center. These two points include: 1. 32,000 square feet retail/housing building coverage resulting in 48,000 square feet retail land use; 2. Excavating an additional 0.7 acre boat basin from the limited land available. There are numerous reasons these two uses should not be contemplated for Bayfront, and they all come back to the basics of the lack of space to attain this physical mass of buildings, parking, pavement, site grading/drainage and runoff, and conflicting activities and circulation between public and private uses. Festival Park pathways and service access routes, for example, would be crossed by private parking, service delivery, and even residential driveways and private outdoor storage/parking/ delivery and waste containers as any business or residence would require to operate. The land area, only 7 acres east of existing Slip No. 2 and 3 acres west of this slip cannot physically accommodate the 6.7 acres of land coverage this Task Force recommendation would permit. It is no more complicated than this very key recognition of what this land can physically support. We like the phrase recently clearly expressed .... "This land is your land, this land is our land." We are trying our best to speak for the public who have come forth to express these thoughts: It is for "our" interest and long term needs -- it is for "your and our" children and grandchildren, not a bit unlike what we attained at the Corner-of-the-Lake -- the plaque on Lake Place reading ... "For all future Lake Superior Visitors" does say it all again here at our Bayfront. Kent G. Worley of Duluth is a landscape architect and a member of the Bayfront Task Force and the Bayfront Visions Group. Top of page Dec 12, 1999 Bayfront issue needs support Dick Palmer Budgeteer News In spite of a colorful display of ego vs. logic last Monday, the city of Duluth will move on now and seek solutions to a final, yet maneuverable plan for Bayfront Park. We suggest maneuverable because planning is one thing, execution is yet another. In this context, members of the Bayfront Visions Group and the mayor's Bayfront Task Force should continue to have an influence on the design plan to establish a first class festival park that will complement Duluth's greatest asset, Lake Superior. This is the goal, and the longer we pontificate, the longer Duluth's waterfront will remain in a state of flux, like a boat without an oar or compass. Mayor Doty is right to move on with this effort. For decades now, Duluthians have been concerned with plans to improve Duluth's downtown waterfront area. A factory outlet mall met with stiff opposition; the effort to put the USS Des Moines on site was yet another idea that didn't float for long. And now, hiring a Minneapolis consulting firm to design our park will start out with participants rowing upstream against choppy waves. A continuing negative reaction is tantamount to doing nothing. We can debate the festival park concept well into the next millennium without resolve or direction, or we can bite the bullet and get some facts, figures and a design on paper that will give developers and citizens alike a starting point. There are some people in our community, like most other communities, who continually object to change. There is absolutely nothing wrong with debate, honest disagreement and challenge, but it has to be conducted for the good of the total community, not self serving interests. This seems to be where we are on this issue. A couple of week ago, members of our family shared dinner with our 93-year-old father at a restaurant on South First Avenue East. It was exciting just to be there. Look around. Even in the winter months the waterfront is a magnet. Things are happening in Duluth, and if every one of these ongoing projects were confronted with debate and inaction, Duluth's downtown business area would have mostly boarded up storefronts and a deteriorating street to greet tourists. Duluth has a great deal going for it: educational excellence, a growing medical community, cultural activities, an investment in high tech opportunities, Spirit Mountain, the DECC which continues to grow and stabilize our local economy, etc. Let's move on here with patient resolve. Dick Palmer is the former editor and publisher of the Budgeteer News. Top of page Oct. 27, 1999 Bayfront task force acting with deliberation Bob Beaudin and Rosemary Guttormsson Budgeteer News We have been pleased to see your continuing effort to cover the Bayfront Park planning process. As you know, the Bayfront Development Task Force was appointed by Mayor Gary Doty on March 17. Our task, to quote the Mayor, is "to determine what we are going to do with this very valuable piece of property." The mayor also mentioned the many different plans and ideas that have been proposed for this property over the years, and asked for us to study them and attempt to reach a consensus. He told us he purposely appointed representatives of all the various groups proposing plans and representatives of various community groups, selecting people he felt were willing to try and reach a consensus. Since March, the task force heard from a number of invited individuals ranging from the three groups with specific plans for the bayfront, representatives from business groups, the Chamber of Commerce, Port Authority, DEDA attorney, DECC management, concert promoters, aquarium representatives and others. We walked around the bayfront site. We looked at maps that show city property lines, aquarium lines, DEDA property lines and Lafarge property lines. We were informed by the DEDA attorney concerning the legalities and definition of economic development that the DEDA land requires. We also received copies of development proposals for the bayfront area dating from as far back as the 1970s. In addition, we have developed a list of parameters we felt should be considered in creating a final plan. During our discussions, it became clear that the most supported use for some of the property was to make room for a festival park. In August, we received a special request from Mayor Doty to come to a decision on whether a festival park be a part of the bayfront plan. The task force, at its Aug. 18 meeting, championed the idea of a festival park. The task force would like to thank the Paulucci family for their generous donation to establish a festival park in the bayfront area. This designation of land for a festival park is the only use that has thus far been adopted by the committee. Although there have been discussions on transient boat docking and historical ships, the reports that these uses have already been approved by the committee for including in a Bayfront Park plan are in error. Again, the only use supported thus far is a festival park. It is clear that this piece of undeveloped land is some of the most important in the city. Its unique location and potential require that any plan for its development be broadly supported. To that end, we have attempted to be deliberate, choosing to develop criteria for consideration of all aspects of any plan and itemizing all potential uses. We are now at the point where we must begin to select uses for inclusion in a Bayfront Park Plan. We will try to put together a coherent plan which can be supported by our diverse committee, and more importantly, have broad based support by the people of the city. This process has worked in the past with remarkable success. One needs only to look at the extension of I-35 and its ancillary improvements developed by a similar committee, for confirmation. Hopefully, in this case, we will have the same success. Bob Beaudin and Rosemary Guttormsson are co-chairs of the Bayfront Development Task Force. Top of page Oct. 24, 1999 Bayfront Vision plan presents window of opportunity Iver Bogen Budgeteer News What was once a swamp, a rock crushing area and a wholesale warehousing and industrial site, has matured into a plan of open green space for 35 plus acres of bayfront land. With the Bayfront Vision plan, Duluth has a window of opportunity to construct open green space on the bayfront. It includes the bayfront festival grounds, an arboretum, a botanical conservatory, a visitor center, docking facility for transient boating and a living water garden. The living water garden, which is designed to be located on the 11.3 acres that are controlled by the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA), would be the recycling center for storm water coming from the central hillside and adjacent freeways. By 2002, urban communities, including Duluth, will be required to recycle storm water runoff. In the late 1960s, the Fifth Avenue West boulevard was created from the Courthouse to the Depot. The extension of this corridor to an "anchor" on the bay was a long held vision of several people in the community. In 1977, Julia and Caroline Marshall were the prime movers in forming a nonprofit group to purchase portions of the bayfront to provide this anchor. It was green space with park benches for relaxing near the bayfront. The return of this land to a more natural state has not always been a certainty. In 1992, Sam Brown, a private developer, intended to develop part of this area as a series of outlet stores. However, he was unable to secure leases and this project ended. Most recently, Arne Carlson, the DNR, and our city administration tried placing a heavy cruiser, the USS Des Moines, in the bayfront. It was voted down in a landslide referendum. The defeat of the Des Moines provided a rare legacy for Duluth -- the bayfront. After the demise of the Des Moines, DEDA hired the Equinox Co., a New York- based realty firm, for a fee of $80,000, to create a plan for this open space which included the Bayfront Festival Park. The Equinox plan was dominated by buildings, including a movie complex, condos, retail outlets and parking areas. In response to Equinox, a small group of citizens presented an alternative plan that involved maintaining the openness of the bayfront with the creation of green space that would provide an esthetically pleasing park like area. They named their group the Bayfront Vision. Kent Worley, who designed many of the amenities surrounding the freeway extension such as the lakewalk, became a key member. The Bayfront Vision and the Equinox proposal were presented to the City Council in February 1999. It was quite apparent that if the council had voted at that meeting, it would have supported the Bayfront Vision. In response to the overwhelming support of the council for the Bayfront Vision, Mayor Gary Doty, who was a supporter of the Equinox plan, formed the Bayfront Task Force that, in my view was a ploy to delay any council decision. In his most recent campaign statements, Mayor Doty has said he would like the Bayfront Task Force to reach a compromise between the competing plans. Any compromise, however, could well result in including incompatible parts of the various plans, resulting in an architectural chaos or a "camel" on the bayfront. The only group with an overall bayfront concept with planned internal consistency is the Bayfront Vision. Furthermore, it is consistent with the 2001 statement which promotes the concept of an urban wilderness. According to Brian Daugherty, vice president of the Canal Park Business Association, there are currently 250,000 square feet of vacant commercial property in Canal Park. Fifty percent of this is on the street level, which makes it prime space. In addition, the software center located at the foot of Canal Park has 37,000 square feet of vacant street level space designated for retail outlets. With a glut of vacant retail outlet space in the downtown area and Canal Park, it would be a waste to position more on the bayfront. The Bayfront Vision will be self supporting and will have a positive impact on Duluth's economy. Just as our lake and lakewalk attract tourists and their dollars, so will the Bayfront Vision. We Duluthians must develop strategies to assert our stewardship over this marvelous parcel of land that was bequeathed to us by Julia and Caroline Marshall. Some things are just not for sale. Iver Bogen is professor emeritus in the Psychology Department of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Top of page Oct. 10, 1999 Bayfront Visions group looks to the future Joan Farnam Budgeteer News Celebrate an enduring partnership between plants, people and the bayfront Monday and become a charter member of Duluth Bayfront Gardens. That's what members of the Bayfront Visions group are calling for as one of the steps to create an arboretum and conservatory on the Bayfront. The group is holding an information rally at the Marshall School auditorium from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to introduce a new scale model of their gardens/conservatory plan as well as offer charter membership to Duluth Bayfront Gardens. "The meeting is really a rally to get people to join the Bayfront Gardens," said Clayton Oslund, a member of the visions group who has been actively involved in developing the plan. "Our goal is to invite people to join, be a charter member," said Michele Oslund, Clayton's wife. The new organization, which will be a nonprofit, is one way to get people actively involved in the Bayfront Visions project, especially those who love plants and gardening and want to preserve the waterfront, the couple said. The plan includes a 9 acre festival park, a visitor center, living water gardens to handle rainwater run-off from the hillside and the freeway and provide ice skating in the winter, an all weather conservatory, a Skywalk extension from Bayfront to the Depot, a children's garden next to Playfront Park, as well as a transient boat slip and a Port Interpretation Center."The overall plan runs from the aquarium, past the Lafarge slip with its cement silos to the edge of Cutler/Magner property," Clayton Oslund said. "We think we can attract people to the area all year long." Oslund said creating a multi-faceted botanical gardens/conservatory area at the site could draw at least 50,000 people to the area each year besides the groups that will come to see concerts at the Festival Park. He envisions conferences and workshops, as well as tours by school children throughout the region to learn from the plants in the conservatory and the trees in the arboretum -- in short a place for families to go for year round activities. "Our concept is that it's more than plantings, more than trees or a show place for flowers," he said. "Duluth Bayfront Gardens is an institution, a group of people who have a program of education and activities." Membership is the key to preserving Duluth's waterfront heritage at the Bayfront, he said. Membership will also present a solid front of civic concern about what happens to the only undeveloped space left facing the water. The plan also looks to preserving the area for future generations. "Bob Powless (head of UMD's Department of American Indian Studies) said at our "May at the Bay" rally that Native Americans like to think about seven generations in the future," Michele Oslund said. "We kind of like to think about this as our seventh-generation model." The rally is open to the public. For more information call 525-5366 Top of page

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