Xcel cuts Hiawatha substation artwork by half to reduce costs

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Midtown Greenway Coalition offers alternatives that would prioritize trail users, but Xcel is proceeding with reduction

by Tesha M. Christensen

The new 3.25-acre Xcel substation at Hiawatha and 28th Ave. will no longer be screened on all sides by angled aluminum mesh walls.

Instead, Xcel is cutting back the amount of artwork on the facility by about half, a move that the Midtown Greenway Coalition says will negatively affect trail users.

“The last minute change to the substation design was a surprise and very disappointing,” said Midtown Greenway Coalition Executive Director Soren Jensen. “We were excited about the original design, which was approved by a citizen advisory group convened by Xcel. That original design had artwork wrapping almost entirely around the substation.”

When the design for the new substation was released in 2012, it garnered praise for being a unique and creative structure. The design was of a translucent cube that would glow yellow at night, complementing the blue-lit Sabo Bridge nearby. The plan was to have all four walls composed of extruded metal, a metal mesh surface that is semi-transparent. The metal would be given an anodized finish to color it. Additional color would come from lighting.

The advisory work group pushing designers to be creative included representatives from Xcel Energy, the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and community organizations. The group met for four months and conducted several open houses, working to develop a substation design that would be technically feasible and aesthetically pleasing, according to Xcel representative Patti Nystuen.

After the group met, an engineering and budget analysis was completed. The designs filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission had reduced and re-engineered screening on both the Hiawatha substation, as well as the one on Oakland Ave. and 29th St.

“These revisions were necessary to meet safety and budget concerns of the original designs,” said Nystuen. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a substation screening budget for both substations of $1.3 million.

“Xcel Energy tried to keep the integrity of the originally presented design with as much of the wall as possible on all sides,” said Nystuen.

She added, “Xcel Energy feels that the current wall design respects the guiding principles established through the advisory work group and respects the interest of the participating parties in the group’s process.”

The Midtown Greenway Coalition disagrees.

“The new design, which was not approved by the citizen group, reduces the artwork almost in half.  As a result, it now looks more like a half-hearted attempt to screen an ugly substation,” said Jensen.

Xcel has received 77 comments from citizens regarding the change. All but two asked that the artwork wrap around the north/northeast corner of the substation.

“We are disappointed that Xcel appears to be ignoring public comments, and is proceeding with the new design, which greatly reduces the proposed art wall around the substation,” stated Jensen.

The Midtown Greenway Coalition is requesting that the advisory work group be reconvened by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to review the design.

The Coalition has proposed a number of alternatives that would not increase the project cost, but would provide artwork on the east and north sides. This would screen the substation from trail users, who come closer to the substation than drivers on Hiawatha do.

Jensen stated, “Since the substation is mostly impacting the Midtown Greenway, the priority should be protecting the Greenway viewshed and minimizing the aesthetic impact to the trail.”

Site work at the Hiawatha location behind Target has begun, and the project will be complete in 2014.

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Wabun’s new playground will be city’s first Universal Access one

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Construction to begin this spring on playground that will make it easier for those with disabilities to use

by Tesha M. Christensen

Over 60 years ago, Minnehaha’s Wabun park provided respite to travelers. Later this year, it will provide a place where children of all abilities can gather together at an auto camp-themed playground.

This summer, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will construct the city’s first Universal Access playground at Wabun, replacing the equipment there that was installed in 1973. At the park, those with disabilities will be able to use 90% of the play features, a figure significantly higher than the average.  

“I truly believe that bringing children together from a variety of backgrounds and varying abilities will benefit all of us,” stated Peggy Halvorson of Falls 4 All, the non-profit that raised $760,000 for this project together with People for Parks.

“We learn, by playing together at an early age, to accept and understand our differences and see each other as worthwhile, compassionate and whole beings.”

Universal Access playgrounds go a step farther than those that meet the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. While ADA standards call for paths and ramps wheelchairs can traverse, in a universal access playground all ramps are wide enough for wheelchairs and kids don’t have to be transferred out of wheelchairs to use equipment. The surfacing is soft enough to cushion a fall.

There are currently only three such playgrounds in Minnesota: Rochester, Red Wing and St. Cloud. A fourth, Madison’s Place, in Woodbury will also be under construction this summer.

WHY BUILD A UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAYGROUND?

In the United States today, one in five have disabilities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Minneapolis Park Board Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Toby Broadrick pointed out that number is expected to rise to 25% of the population in the next decade.

“Too many playgrounds in their design tell kids and adults with disabilities that they are not welcome -- Everything from sand surfacing to no ramps that allow access to the upper play elements,” observed Broadrick. “Some playgrounds don’t even have an accessible pathway to the playground and Wabun is a classic example of that!”

Two years ago, four accessible picnic shelters, a restroom building, and a zero-entry wading pool were constructed at Wabun to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

“It makes perfect sense to put a playground that is fully accessible on that site so that the people that need that kind of amenity can feel included and respected,” said Broadrick.

“I sincerely hope that the Longfellow community is proud to be a part of something that will have a lasting and important impact on so many lives,” said Halvorson.

WHAT WILL THE NEW PLAYGROUND LOOK LIKE?

The inspiration for the playground design at Wabun came from the area’s history as an auto tourist camp in the 1920-1950s.

Elements within the new playground will reflect that history, including a play 1920s-era vehicle, a 1930s-style camper that sways, and a log-cabin aesthetic. In addition to two separate play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, there will be a quiet area for kids that need to avoid the over stimulation of noisy, active play. It will have a play fire pit, boulders and tents.

“I love the quiet area and the accommodations for the autism spectrum,” said District 3 Parks Commissioner Scott Vreeland.

Feedback from various surveys showed a preference for the two play areas (2-5 and 5-12) to be close together so that a parent can stand between them and watch both areas at once.

“I love how the design is somewhat ‘upside down’ in that there are not so many ramps, but a large walkway that brings the access to the top of the equipment,” observed Halvorson.

Some residents have expressed concern about the artificial turf planned for the area. “Fake grass in our oldest regional park is not authentic, and its unchanging unnatural green will distract visitors who come to experience a natural area,” said Minneapolis resident Lisa Hondros.

Halvorson pointed out that the more traditional surface for accessible playgrounds, a poured-in-place surfacing with a rubberized matting overlay, is much more expensive, and the Park Board is saving money by opting to use the artificial turf instead.

Park Board Commissioners debated the issue during both of their January meetings on the plans, but decided to proceed with the artificial turf. Commissioner Annie Young reminded the public that this playground will be a different play area than others in the city, and it needs to be accessible by those in wheelchairs. While she personally dislikes the artificial turf, she thinks that it will work well for this type of use.

 Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2013. A ground breaking will occur in April 2013, and a grand opening in September 2013.

In addition to a new playground in the Wabun area of Minnehaha Park, the playground off 45th St. will be redone. The entire cost for both park playgrounds is $1.5 million.

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SIDEBAR:

Park board holds off on one Minnehaha Park playground

The Park Board held off approving the Minnehaha Park North Plateau playground design at its Jan. 16, 2013 meeting. It will review the plan again in February. The North Plateau playground is located off 45th St.

“There needs to be a little more clarity about what that is actually going to look like,” said Commissioner Carol Kummer, who represents the Nokomis and Powderhorn neighborhoods.

While there was a professionally done, 3D rendering of the Wabun design, a similar drawing was not completed for the North Plateau playground. According to Park Board planner Andrea Weber, this was because the park staff do not have the capability to make these 3D designs themselves. The one for Wabun was completed by the playground manufacturer that designed the park. At the North Plateau playground, the park board did not accept a design from a single manufacturer, but instead pulled in pieces from several different ones.

New classic pieces will be arranged in orthogonal groupings. Freestanding slides, fulcrum see-saws, merry-go-rounds and a dome climber are in the older play area. Balance beams, stepping pods and crawl tunnels are in the younger play area. Sand play includes diggers, a sand table and classic molded metal animal spring rockers and concrete play animals to recall the “Longfellow Gardens” Zoo, which was once nearby.

The swings and the climbing structure currently at the park will remain; they were built by a WPA work crew in the 1940s. Designers worked around the existing trees when planning. There will be a play area for ages 2-5 on the east side, and an area for ages 5-12 on the west. A sand pit will be on the south side. The colors for the park will be subdued, natural tones, and the materials used will be metal and wood.

“Parents are excited about seeing a play area similar to what they had as parents,” stated Weber.

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Park Board focuses on urban agriculture

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Plan being development to guide park activities

David Rogers walks his dog past the Lake Nokomis Naturescape, a demonstration garden that illustrates how people can incorporate native plants in their home landscaping. Demonstrations and classes on native gardens are a piece of Urban Agriculture in Minneapolis. Over the next few months, park staff are soliciting ideas and comments from citizens as they work to create an Urgan Agriculture plan for the city.Urban agriculture is about more than just community gardens, said Ginger Cannon of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB). It encompasses everything from demonstration gardens to farmer’s markets to serving healthy foods at rec centers. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

by Tesha M. Christensen

Confused about what urban agriculture is and why the Minneapolis parks department is involved?

You’re not the only one.

It’s a tough thing to grasp because the definition of urban agriculture is constantly evolving.

“In the city of Minneapolis, we’re still trying to figure out what it means,” said Ginger Cannon of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB).

The official definition is this: “The effort to support production, consumption, distribution and waste management in an urban environment.”

It is about more than just community gardens, according to Cannon.

“Urban agriculture is everything from farmer’s markets to composting,” said Cannon.

Those engaged in urban agriculture activities may raise chickens. They may grow their own food in either a community garden or personal garden. Or, they may sell local foods at a neighborhood farmers market. 

The practice of urban agriculture helps to meet local food needs while providing environmental, health, social and economic benefits for the community.

Public feedback desired

MPRB is working to develop a comprehensive Urban Agriculture plan. The first step is to solicit public feedback. A series of meetings were held throughout the city in November and December, including one at the Nokomis Rec Center on Dec. 4.

“We want to hear from the community,” said Cannon. “What are the things you think the park should support?”

Comments are still being taken via the MPRB web site. There is a link to the Urban Agriculture Survey at www.minneapolisparks.org on the left navigation bar on the home page.

This plan will:

• Define and prioritize community needs

• Provide recommendations to enhance community services

• Guide allocation of resources to better support urban agriculture as government organization.

Current urban agriculture in the parks

MPRB is currently involved in a range of urban agriculture activities.

While the MPRB does not establish community gardens on any of its park land, it does manage several demonstration gardens. The largest one is Shady Rivers at the Theodore Wirth Regional Park. There youth learn now to plant, harvest and process food. It is then donated to local food shelves.

MPRB does rents four parcels of land it obtained through tax forfeiture to community garden groups (Bancroft Meridian Garden, Soo Line Gardens and Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association). There are another 7 possible locations, including three within the Nokomis East neighborhood.

One of the largest natural demonstration gardens in the city is the Nokomis Naturescape at 50th. It is also the focus of the popular Monarch Festival held each September that the park board helps organize. Three gardens at Minnehaha Park (Longfellow Garden, Song of Hiawatha Garden and the Pergola garden) offer residents the opportunity to learn more about how to garden. The knowledge can then be applied to growing any kind of plant. An area of growth for MPRB might be to not only demonstrate this type of gardening, but to also actively teach it. “We know that people want more programming,” observed Cannon. Classes might include how to improve the soil, permaculture, and which foods to grow in which seasons.

Also important to the MPRB is that vendors in its parks practice composting, which Sandcastle, the new vendor at Nokomis Beach, intends to do.

In Powderhorn, there is a rain garden project.

MPRB could opt to focus more on any one of these efforts, or it could do something new.

A number of ideas have been suggested by citizens at community meetings.

Some have encouraged the MPRB to set aside land for demonstration farms. Others want to see classes at the Rec Center kitchens on how to process food.

MPRB runs the largest childcare program in the city, and some people want MPRB to use this opportunity to teach youth about how to eat healthy.

MPRB could broaden its net and seek to address the food desert in the city, those areas where residents don’t have easy access to healthy food options.

“These are all possibilities,” said Cannon.

WHAT’S NEXT

Following these initial community meetings, the parks staff will now meet with focus groups. The first draft of the Urban Agriculture plan will be completed by late spring 2013. After another round of discussions, the final plan will go before the park board in late 2013.

Sign up for email updates on the project at www.minneapolisparks.org.

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SIDEBAR

What is “urban agriculture”?  Most broadly, the term refers to growing and raising crops and animals in an urban setting for the purpose of feeding local populations. It can include community gardens, commercial gardens, community support agriculture (CSA), farmer’s markets, personal gardens and urban farms.