HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-18 HRA Regular Meeting MINUTES
EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SEPTEMBER 18, 1989
Answering rollcall were Commissioners Kelly, Paulus, Rice and Smith. Commissioner
Kelly chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairman Richards.
MINUTES of the HRA Meeting of August 21, 1989 and the Joint ERA/Council Meeting of
September 5, 1989 were approved as submitted by motion of Commissioner Smith,
seconded by Commissioner Rice.
Ayes: Paulus, Rice, Smith, Kelly
Motion carried.
UPDATE GIVEN ON 50TH & FRANCE IMPROVEMENTS• DECISION ON TILE REPLACEMENT CONTINUED
TO 10/16/89 Engineer Fran Hoffman reported on the survey of property
owners/tennants conducted after installation of test sections of different types
of material for the the replacement project at the 50th and France Business
District. Slides were shown of the nine test sections which had been placed in
the sidewalk behind the Edina Theatre and also of existing tile pads. He said
that out of 160 survey forms mailed, only 40 were returned.
He noted that the 50th & France Business Association Board Members have some of
the same differences of opinion as demonstrated in the survey and comments
section. There continues to be an underlying concern that any and all decorative
products will not hold up as long as plain concrete or exposed aggregate concrete.
Staff agreed with the Board's opinion that the original paver installation did not
provide the long term stability that the City had hoped for. He stated that a
comparative evaluation of the paving alternatives was provided by BRW who
commented on each alternative.
• Engineer Hoffman stated that staff would recommend the following solution which
would deal with all issues of concern:
A) Concrete brick with beveled edges. (Identified as Test Section #1)
B) Brick placed on concrete base with sand between concrete and brick.
C) Use of "rebars" (tie-in steel bars to existing concrete to prevent
differential settling)
D) "Shot-blast" existing plain concrete to enhance its appearance after
paver brick installation.
He proposed that bids for the work be taken this fall for construction to begin
next spring.
Gail Korst, President of the 50th and France Business/Professional Association,
commented that, according to the survey results, there are mixed reactions to the
alternatives for tile replacement. She said that the members of the Association
are not ready to make a decision and would like to consider additional
alternatives and get more answers from the City staff. The main concern is to put
in something that will last for a longer period of time. However, the Association
members would like to have this decided this fall so that work could begin in
early spring of 1990.
Engineer Hoffman said that there are several additional alternatives that could be
considered, and suggested that the bomanite alternatives be eliminated because of
potential problems as to durability and maintenance. Some have suggested using
ordinary concrete because they are worried that any type of decorative system will
not be easy to walk on. He said that when the area was renovated in 1976 a design
• scenario was set up that everyone bought into and that plain concrete would defeat
that plan.
Commissioner Paulus commented that a concensus probably cannot be reached by the
50th and France merchants and that we should follow the professional opinion of
H.R.A. Minutes - 9/18/89
the consultant. She said she would like to see a decision made within four weeks
so that this would be resolved and the project could proceed.
Commissioner Smith said he agreed with the comments of Member Paulus, that an
inordinate amount of time has been spent on this project and that a decision needs
to be made. Further, he said he objected to having a consultant tell us what kind
of sidewalk to lay down in Minnesota. He added that the issue really is do they
want the brick pavers or concrete which would eliminate the maintenance problems.
Commissioner Rice commented that, because the sidewalks are for pedestrian
traffic, safety for walkers should be considered. He said he was surprised by the
number of survey comments that the pavers were a problem for women wearing heels.
He said he would support looking at this further to get more input from the
merchants as he saw no immediate urgency for the project.
Commissioner Paulus made a motion directing staff to continue to work with the
50th and France merchants and to come back with a consensus within four weeks for
action by the Council. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith.
Ayes: Paulus, Smith, Kelly
Nays: Rice
Motion carried.
There being no further business on the HRA Agenda, motion of Commissi �r Paulus
was seconded by Commissioner Smith for adjournment. oti 4 c ied. n
Executive ector