Water Works / Fuji Ya
Updated March 4, 2012 (see end of post)
*Share your comments on the Water Works conceptual development plan, now through March 31, 2012 online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/waterworks2012
Proposal Presented to MPRB on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Paul Reyelts of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation presented a vision for the former Fuji Ya site on the Dowtown Minneapolis Riverfront at Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting last Wednesday, June 15, 2011.
Presentation by Paul Reyelts, Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board Treasurer and Board Member at the June 15, 2011
Meeting Notes
Working on this idea for the past year
- Believe it has “broad interest and support for the development of a public reuse plan” for the site.
- Plan to attract private resources to support development of the site
- Intention is that the site would be dedicated to public use, not for private use
- Site is not addressed in the Minneapolis Riverfront Development Initiative (MRDI)
- Proposal would be complimentary to the MRDI
Four major reason to give focus and priority to the Fuji Ya site:
1. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) owns the land
2. Site is very close to Downtown Minneapolis
3. If properly developed, the site could be the major Downtown gateway to the river and to the Stone Arch Bridge
4. The Stone arch Loop already has an estimated 3/4 of a million visitors annually passing near the site
The proposal would enhance the experience for visitors and at the same time develop revenue generating opportunities that support the financial sustainability of the sites amenities.
The Proposal:
Minneapolis Park Foundation will engage a team of professionals that has agreed to develop a Phase 1 Fuji Ya site master plan and program.
Paul Reyelts will fund these services through the Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF).
The MPF Executive Committee will oversee the development of the plan.
Only Public use of the site is envisioned.
Paul Reyelts does not live near or own property in the vicinity of the Fuji Ya site. Nor does he have any personal or financial interest in this proposal.
The MPF will coordinate with the MPRB on getting Citizen input the MPRB Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) process.
The goal of Phase 1 is the creation of a visual presentation summarizing the findings of the MPF and a recommended vision for the site development, along with next steps in the development process.
Assuming that the site master plan has the support of the MPRB, the MPF, and the community, Paul Reyelts is prepared to provide “material financial support” for the development project, and with the MPF he will champion private sector fundraising efforts.
Motivation:
Like the Founders of the Minneapolis Park System, the MPF and supporters want to leave a legacy for future generations. This premise is the reason behind Paul Reyelts commitment.
Timing:
Hope that CAC will start within the next month.
Phase 1 process completed in a 3 month timeframe.
MPRB Commissioners Reactions:
Commissioner Anita Tabb – “This has a lot of very exciting potential.” “I’m delighted to see people have a real interest in Downtown Minneapolis.” “I think projects like this will continue to make our city a great place to be, and hopefully attract more people to Downtown.”
Commissioner Scott Vreeland – “What we have there is this great treasure with 7 different archeological ruins that can be accessed.”
Board President Erwin – “This is not only a wonderful gift you’re giving the Park Board, but this is a great kick-off for the Foundation to help the Foundation a key project that they focus on that I think will be successful…it’s a broader area than just the Fuji Ya site itself…the site extends all the way to the 3rd Ave Bridge…
Fuji Ya Site Background
1968: Fuji Ya moved to 420 S. 1st St. in Minneapolis, a chic riverfront structure of glass, oak and rough cedar, designed by architect Newton Griffin, based upon a plan by Shinichi Okada. It was constructed over the ruins of the 1878 Standard Mill. Owner Reiko Weston bought the land, 2.7 acres, for $20,000 in 1961.
1990: Fuji Ya closes. After extensive litigation, the Minneapolis Park Board buys out the Weston family for $3.5 million in an out-of-court settlement.
Background on Mr. Reyelts
Paul Reyelts served as the Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of The Valspar Corporation, a global leader in the coatings industry, from April 1982 until February 2008. He remained an Executive Vice President of Valspar Corporation until his retirement in May 2009. In addition, Mr. Reyelts serves on the Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio, the Advisory Board of the University of Minnesota College of Design and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation Board.
Background on the Fuji Ya Site
Download the Water Works - Fuji Ya site study...
David Tinjum
MPRB Approves Proposal on September 7, 2011
On September 7, 2011 the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board passed a resolution approving a "visioning & strategy" study to be funded by the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. This was expected, since the non-profit foundation will be funding the study.
The study is the first step in the redevelopment of the site which includes the old Fuji Ya restaurant building. The site also includes the location of a former plant which supplied water to Minneapolis, hence the renaming of the site as "the Waterworks site".
As part of the project, a Citizens Advisory Committe (CAC) will be formed to seek community input. This will be a non-appointed CAC, allowing all interested stakeholders to participate and vote on the resulting findings.
One new development was an amendment defining the study area as between Portland Avenue South and the 3rd Avenue Bridge, and between 1st Street South and the Mississippi River.
David Tinjum
Public Input Sought at First Community Meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2011
The ideas were flowing Thursday, December 15, when the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board held a "designer-ask" community meeting about a potential new park along the city's Central Riverfront.
Dubbed "Water Works" (former Fuji-Ya Restaurant site) because the city's first water supply and fire fighting pumping stations were located there in the 19th Century, the site encompasses Minneapolis Park Board owned land between Portland Avenue South and the Third Avenue Bridge, and between First Street South and the Mississippi River. The community meeting was the first step in a preliminary feasibility study that will explore options for what could be a significant new park destination in downtown Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is leading the project in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, for which it is also a forerunner to the Central Riverfront Regional Park Update master planning process. Mill City based architects Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R) are the lead designers on the project.
Together with financing consultants HR&A Advisors, they will produce design and program options and financial analysis by February 2012.
"The Water Works site and riverfront area are important for the convergence of Central Riverfront destinations, including the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, lock and dam, and the Mill City Museum," says Mary deLaicre, President of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, which is funding the project through a private donation.
"Because of the site's historic and national significance, it's important that we complete an interdisciplinary study of the site and area within the current social, economic and environmental context, and its compelling geography and history, including ruins of long razed flour mills."
The public will be invited to a second community meeting in late February, to critique options and review the team's findings. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation will announce details about that meeting in January 2012.
David Tinjum
Community Meeting: Water Works Park / Options for the Former Fuji-Ya Restaurant Site on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront
Monday, February 27, 5:30-7:30PM at the Mill City Museum.
David Tinjum
Design Concepts Presentation on February 27, 2012
Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R), lead architects and HR&A Advisors, economic development consultants, present conceptual designs for the planned Water Works Park on the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront. Visit the project tracking page for a complete history of the Water Works project...
Part 1 - Introduction
Part 2 - Analysis & Concepts
Part 3 - Questions & Answers
Presentation Slide Show
David Tinjum
*Share your comments on the Water Works conceptual development plan, now through March 31, 2012 online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/waterworks2012
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