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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Bozeman Creek Analysis Technical Assistance Grant ReportBozeman Creek Analysis Technical Assistance Grant June 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. VISION & HISTORY 3-12 2. ASSESSMENT 13-23 Prospects Parcel Identity Timing of Development Funding Availability/Probability 2. ENHANCEMENT 24-31 Access Activation Art/Interpretation Water Quality Flood Risk Reduction Restoration 3. OPPORTUNITY 32-35 Planned/Anticipated Projects Stewardship Connectivity Placemaking Social Media 4. CONCLUSIONS & NEXT STEPS 36-37 5. APPENDIX (Fold out Maps) 38 3 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Project Description This analysis was completed in partnership with Moun- tain Time Arts (MTA), with partial funding provided through a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) awarded by the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. This study was primarily commissioned to examine placemak- ing and public art, redevelopment, and creek revital- ization for Bozeman Creek sites within and adjacent to the Urban Renewal District (URD) of Downtown Bozeman. MTA has a reputation and knack for producing inventive public art projects that enliven individual relationships to the history, culture, and environment of the Rocky Mountain West. Inclusive collaboration is a central tenet of their mission, one that furthers their commitment to social and environmental justice. MTA’s portfolio demonstrates they are well positioned to undertake this placemaking and public art analysis for the Bozeman Creek corridor. Vision - How we can best revitalize the Creek for the enjoy- ment of all? - What could Bozeman Creek become if we as a com- munity paid attention and honored it rather than ignored it? - What can we contribute to the Creek, and what does it contribute to us? - What would be possible if the spirit of the creek were to be fully expressed? #SeeBozemanCreek is Bozeman’s opportunity to high- light and bring to life Bozeman Creek, the waterway and water source running through the heart of the communi- ty. #SeeBozemanCreek will investigate existing public and privately owned spaces along the waterway in or- der to identify opportunities for engagement, apprecia- tion, and enhancement of Bozeman Creek in Downtown Bozeman. A revitalized Bozeman Creek will provide these benefits to both citizens and visitors: - Reveal the creek’s past history and demonstrate future aspirations. - Honor the Indigenous inhabitants and history of the Gallatin Valley. - Link open spaces, public and private. - Provide visual access and engagement. - Inspire stewardship and connection to the greater wa- tershed. - Creative placemaking and public art that activates the landscapes along the creek and reveals the rich history of water in the Gallatin Valley. - Restoration of a healthy creek zone that is accessible for a diverse range of experiences for the enjoyment of all. While the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the Gallatin Valley is a main draw for both residents and visitors of Bozeman, the water that brings this area to life is often overlooked. Public art and creative place- making, in collaboration with local organizations and individuals, will connect local culture and water, em- phasizing the importance of seeing and living sensi- tively with nature. In doing so, it will demonstrate that art is a solution for community betterment and a cata- lyst of change. 4 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Process Previous planning processes have laid the foundation for the development of this action plan, including 2019 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan and the 2012 Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan. During the project stakeholder engagement process these plans were revisited to help craft the art and placemaking actions defined in this document. Two visioning sessions were held with local stakeholders in late-winter and early spring 2020. One was held in person and the other digitally due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These meetings covered Bozeman Creek’s history, land use patterns and ownership, geography, past creek plans, and examples of art and revitalization projects for other waterways. Breakout sessions discussed opportunities, community engagement strategies, and next steps for project realization. Findings were drafted following analysis of the process outcomes, including the creation of an analysis criteria for potential art and placemaking project sites. Analysis Intrinsik Architecture conducted an analysis of Bozeman Creek's existing conditions within Downtown Bozeman. Following retrieval of City of Bozeman GIS data, several maps were created to allow for further study. Property ownership was determined, critical parcels were identified, and the characteristics of the creek (ex. location, existing access, or daylighting opportunities) were described through these materials. Study of these mapping products contributed the findings included in this report. Portions of these maps have been included in this report as exhibits to the text. Informational renderings of the maps created for this project have been incorporated as Appendix A. Findings The three aspects of project site analysis were Assessment, Enhancement, and Opportunity. Within each category are protocols that could be used to objectively examine projects for future award funding or MTA partnership opportunities. Assessment included indicators such as prospective project or condition, parcel identity, timing of development adjacent to Bozeman creek, and funding availability. Enhancement included indicators such as prospective access (daylighting), flood risk reduction, water activation, art and interpretation, water quality, and restoration. Opportunity included indicators such as planned projects, stewardship, placemaking, and connectivity. The components of these project aspects are further described in the respective report sections, below. “Art changes everything.” - Eloise Damrosch 5 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Original Town Plat: Bozeman Creek 1870 Alignment vs. Bozeman Creek Alignment/Exposure Today History (Adapted from the Mountain Time Arts Upstream Series walking tour of Bozeman Creek.) People have lived in the Gallatin Valley for over 12,000 years. Numerous Native American tribes traveled through this valley for much of that time including the Crow, Blackfeet, Sioux and Shoshone. In more recent history, trappers, and traders lived in this valley making a living from the abundant game and resources the area has to offer. In the early 1860s gold was discovered at sites across Montana. These discoveries attracted caravans of people to the Mountain West in search of their fortunes in gold. After the initial boom, many realized they were not suited to mining. Three men who decided gold mining was not for them included Bozeman’s founding fathers, John Bozeman, Daniel Rouse and William Beall. These three men met in Virginia City and decided to plat the townsite of Bozeman to develop a center for agriculture and commerce. The City of Bozeman was formally founded on August 9, 1864. N 6 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Water from Bozeman Creek was put to use powering lumber mills in the 1880’s, driving what was a profitable business in lumber finishing. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1883 signaled the economic boom had arrived in Bozeman. Lumber milling was behind one of the great feuds in Bozeman’s early years. Bozeman pioneer Joseph Lindley located a lumber mill at the intersection of South Rouse Avenue and East Olive in early 1880. Around that same time Nelson Story, another of Bozeman’s “founding fathers”, was interested in diverting water from Bozeman Creek to power his flour mill on the North side of town. One afternoon, without Lindley’s knowledge or consent, Story had his men cut down some trees and dam the creek, with the hope of diverting the water to power Story’s flour mill. This makeshift dam flooded Lindley’s property and several other downtown buildings. “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting!” - Mark Twain Lindley reacted by asking a local blacksmith to build a “bomb” to break up the dam. This bomb failed to explode, however, and Lindley set his men to removing the trees. When Story heard about this he came down to the creek with his Colt 44 revolver and clubbed several of Lindley’s men. Following the incident, Story was forced to make payments to avoid lawsuits. “People will buy the water when they need it. That’s the blood, guts, and feathers of the thing.” - T. Boone Pickens Water rights have always played a role in history and it’s no different in Montana and Bozeman history. On January 11, 1865 Montana’s territorial legislature voted to base water usage on the Doctrine of Riparian Rights, assuming that the water flowing by each homestead would be used by that land owner in equal amounts. This decision was problematic due to the large land area in Montana, there is simply not enough water to irrigate all the land. In time, this early use of water was adjudicated as a separate property right by courts relying on the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation (first in time, first in right). In 1897, Bozeman bought the town’s existing waterworks from private hands for just over $100,000. In 1898, the water from Lyman Creek was piped into town to provide drinking water for the town. As Bozeman grew in size, the City needed to secure additional water resources so they acquired rights to divert water from Bozeman Creek in 1917. In 1922, shares of reservoir water from Mystic Lake (located southeast of Bozeman) increased water supplies, which flowed down Bozeman (Sourdough) Creek to Sourdough Reservoir at the mouth of Bozeman Creek Canyon. Currently 85% of Bozeman’s water comes from snowmelt from the Hyalite Range that feeds Bozeman Creek (sometimes called Sourdough Creek) and Hyalite 7 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Creek (sometimes called Middle Creek). The remaining 15% comes from a spring at the headwaters of Lyman Creek located on the southwest side of the Bridger Mountains. “Water is the lifeblood of our bodies, our economy, our nation and our well-being.” - Stephen Johnson The fortunes of Bozeman’s Main Street are tied to Bozeman Creek. Chinese restaurants developed as Chinese immigrants came to Montana, first to work in mining towns and later on the railroads. These restaurants served Chinese and American food, and many farming families who came to Bozeman on Saturdays took their families to these restaurants as they served good food, often vegetables, at a reasonable price. Most towns in Montana had a Chinese community in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were often discriminated against and with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers, many left America for good. Also located on Main Street above Bozeman Creek is the site of the Spieth and Krug Brewery, established in 1867 by Jacob Spieth and Charles Krug. The Spieth and Krug Brewery bears the distinction of being Bozeman’s first brewhouse. Bozeman Creek was a year round source of water and refrigeration, making the site an ideal location for a brewery. While the brewery later fell into financial ruin and the Spieth and Krug relationship fell apart, Spieth's wife Barbara kept the family strong to help support the growing community of Germans who had come to Bozeman from Germany. Today, Bozeman Creek emerges at several points within Downtown Bozeman, however a large portion of the creek is forcibly channelized through town This causes the creek to run fast and strong, with no meanders to keep it flowing more slowly. There are no places for the creek to go during spring run-off but up and over its banks, causing periodic flooding which is problematic for Bozeman businesses and residents. Spieth & Krug Brewery, approx. 1880 Bogert Park Bridge (Credit: Gallatin Historical Society and Museum) 8 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Still, Bozeman Creek endures, remaining a focal point, if not always a plainly visible one, for the community. The section of the creek that runs through Bogert Park has undergone recent restoration to allow the creek to flow in a more natural state. This was done by introducing meanders and reestablishing floodplains, as well as creating pools and appropriate plantings. 9 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY 311 East Main Restaurant Creek Patio—Then and Now. (Much of the new conditions did not go through review and approval) 10 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY History Visible - Former Building Foundation near NW corner of E. Babcock and S. Rouse 11 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY Selected Pages from the 2019 Downtown Improvement Plan 12 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek VISION & HISTORY “Each night I go to Bozeman Creek at the foot of the hill on which I live. I offer my sacred tobacco and sing my water song. It’s like a lullaby to the water. I thank the water for the gift it is to all our relations. I listen to the water and take its good song into my heart and think about what I can do for the water … We have become desensitized to our essential connection to the water. It comes from a pipe in our home and we don’t think about it. Next time you take a sip of water, feel its cooling presence in your mouth, the life it gives to your cells, and the way that it connects you to all living things.” - Jill Macklin 13 June 2020 Draft ASSESSMENT 14 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT Municipal Parking Lot Publicly Owned 16,988 SF Parcel Identity Several specific project sites have been identified as possible opportunities for MTA to engage in art and placemaking along Bozeman Creek. As these sites are further vetted for appropriateness, or as other sites are identified, site characteristics such as parcel ownership (public vs. private), parcel size, availability for purchase or development, and project cost can be weighed to determine appropriateness for siting public art in these locations. Bozeman Creek Map - City of Bozeman GIS Data Bridger Creek Clinic Privately Owned 31,363 SF F.O.E. Parking Privately Owned 3,920 SF City Hall Publicly Owned 60,984 SF Creekside Park Publicly Owned 8,320 SF East Lamme Lot Privately Owned 6,098 SF Surface Parking Lot Privately Owned 12,588 SF N 15 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT Prospects • Look at existing and proposed projects adjacent to creek for opportunities to collaborate on activation pro- jects, prioritizing potential of public access or public dedication of land • Examine existing conditions that warrant attention (to come up with creative and thoughtful design solutions) Safety enhancements present an oppor- tunity to address conditions that warrant attention as well as present an oppor- tunity for public art, placemaking and education. Many existing guardrails do not meet building codes and should be replaced. Avoid uninspired utilitarian responses when possible. X Bozeman Creek Map - City of Bozeman GIS Data N Public and private projects planned adjacent to Bozeman Creek should be prioritized for future MTA partnerships. 16 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT Timing of Development • Examine the sequence of property development in proximity to creek, including identification of critical paths / trajectories, to determine best practices to engage developers during entitlement process • Project site ranking should include expected project construction term - Short / Intermediate / Long • Projects undergoing review for entitlements should be reviewed to determine if public art or placemaking would be possible to include in the development, as well as what possible MTA partnership opportunities exist Funding Availability/Probability • Potential projects should be rated on their ability to pro- vide or leverage funding • Both public and private funding sources must be consid- ered to support project implementation • City of Bozeman Cash-In-Lieu of Parkland funds can be considered as a local funding option for improvements in parks (Creekside, Bogert or adjacent to public trails in- cluding landscaping, trails, benches, accessibility up- grades, etc. (NOTE: Project sites must be included in previously approved park master plan in any City-owned or City-maintained park, or in association with a new or revised park master plan, with City Commission approv- al) 17 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT 2018 Aerial Image - Study Area Reference N Tax Increment District Boundary NORTH ANALYSIS AREA CENTRAL ANALYSIS AREA SOUTH ANALYSIS AREA 18 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT N NORTH ANALYSIS AREA Existing Right of Way: Missing Pedestrian/Bike Connection from East Beall to Rouse Bike Lanes and Sidewalks 90 Degree Corner Built when Creekside Park Established Threatened Private Property Undersized Road Culvert Creating Expanded Floodway Significant Publicly Owned Property and Rights of Way Undersized Road Culvert Creating Expanded Floodway Surface Parking Lots at the Edge of the Creek (in Set- backs, Floodplains and Floodways) CITY HALL E. Lamme St. E. Mendenhall St. 19 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT North Analysis Area Images 20 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT N CENTRAL ANALYSIS AREA Publicly Owned Open Space Future Prime Creekside Redevelopment Site Currently Planned Private Creekside Development Site Surface Parking Areas at the Edge of the Creek (in Setbacks, Floodplains and Floodways) E. Main Street E. Mendenhall St. Historic Main Street - Significant Pedestrian Ways 21 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT Central Analysis Area Images 22 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT N SOUTH ANALYSIS AREA Publicly Owned Surface Parking Along Creek. Narrow Non Conforming Private Parcel (F.O.E.) Possible Future Redevelopment Sites E. Babcock Street Identified in Down- town Improvement Plan as Potential Site for Future Parking Structure (Public/ Private) to Replace Surface Parking and Expand Inventory 23 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ASSESSMENT South Analysis Area Images 24 June 2020 Draft ENHANCEMENT 25 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT Art / Interpretation • Storytelling through public art as primary tool to educate the public on the history and consequence of Bo- zeman Creek • Activation, storytelling, and interpretation can also utilize novel engagement methods to advance project mis- sion, such as the use of pop-up storytelling or art events in proximity to Bozeman Creek • Projects have the opportunity to capture broad cultural legacies and stories associated with these shared land- scapes and the natural draw of the water Activation Activation of daylit sections through permanent installations or temporary events Storytelling Using signage and wayfinding to aid in storytelling Interpretation Interpretive exhibits can be espe- cially effective where daylighting is not possible 26 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT Access • Increase visual presence • Safe public access • Daylighting of the creek where possible Areas that are already exposed offer unique opportunities, with lower barriers, to engage the creek with placemaking or public art. 27 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT Activation • Creation of points of visual/physical con- tact to the water’s edge and the water itself • Design of comprehensive wayfinding for Bozeman Creek Simple educational wayfinding sign can be installed at stream crossing to create visual interest and awareness of the creek. 28 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT Water Quality • Project selection will prioritize projects that contribute to higher water quality • Treatment of stormwater run-off will be re- viewed during project site selection, and pro- jects selected must not decrease water qual- ity for Bozeman Creek Flood Risk Reduction • Project selection will prioritize projects that lower flood risk for properties adjacent to Bozeman Creek or avoid effective flood- plains • Projects will include information designed to inform the public on flood risk or flood mitiga- tion Restoration • Project selection will prioritize projects that include ecological restoration, native plant- ings, healthy streambanks, and green infra- structure Regulation A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to the 2011 flood in- surance rate maps for Bozeman Creek is effective June 22, 2020. This LOMR establishes new boundaries for the floodplain and floodway adjacent to portions of Bozeman Creek as it flows through downtown. In these newly mapped areas, the placement of structures or fill (i.e. art or placemaking projects) may require City of Bozeman and/or FEMA authorization prior to con- struction. Floodplain boundaries established under the LOMR can be found by visiting the City of Bozeman’s Floodplain webpage or contacting the City’s Floodplain Administra- tor. Reference Maps are also in the Appendix section of this report. Floodway + Floodplain Map—City of Bozeman GIS Data 29 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT N NORTH ANALYSIS AREA Add Pedestrian/Bike Connection from East Beall to Rouse Bike Lanes and Sidewalks Acquire Property, Remove Structure, Expand Creekside Park Replace and Relocate Under Sized Road Culvert Replace Parking on Undeveloped Parcel Replace Undersized Road Culvert Reduce Surface Parking Lots; Realign Creek Creating Ac- cess, Pedestrian Ways and Improving Water Quality and Reducing Flood Threats CITY HALL E. Lamme St. E. Mendenhall St. 30 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT N CENTRAL ANALYSIS AREA Private Creekside Development Sites with Future Enhanced Creek Edges E. Main Street E. Mendenhall St. Celebrate/ Educate crossing under significant pe- destrian ways. Possible unique daylight sections 31 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek ENHANCEMENT N SOUTH ANALYSIS AREA Replace Surface Parking with Open Space Along Realigned Creek Municipal Acquisition of Private Parcel Redevelopment Sites E. Babcock Street Develop Public/Private Parking Structure Project Site to replace surface parking and allow for addi- tional mixed use infill de- velopment, activate the street with storefronts and enhanced the watercourse New Under Street Culvert Aligned and Sized Appropriately Daylight Creek Next to Redevelopment Site 32 June 2020 Draft OPPORTUNITY 33 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek OPPORTUNITY Planned/Anticipated Projects • As has been discussed in this report, project sites must be reviewed as properties adjacent to Bozeman Creek are planned or proposed for development • Opportunities on the portions of the creek that flow though city (publicly owned) property must be brought to the attention of the Parks Department and the City Commission • Prospects on the portions of the creek that flow through private property must be brought to the attention of the property owners and developers • Project site ranking should include expected project construction term - Short / Intermediate / Long Stewardship • Projects will consider long-term care and management of the interpretative sites during project development, and projects requiring extensive maintenance are discouraged Connectivity • Projects must examine way to provide connections to other project sites along Bozeman Creek • Creative and engaging wayfinding tools should be developed to direct visitors to access points and points of interest 34 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek OPPORTUNITY Placemaking • Placemaking promotes awareness and interaction with Bozeman Creek • Placemaking efforts are encouraged to consider unique methods of design, including the installation of art along or near the creek, adaption of building facades to artist “canvases”, or temporary placemaking options such as pop-up exhibits or tactical urbanist displays Space Installations should consider creative use of space due to limitations on placement in proximity to the Bozeman Creek floodplain Sculpture Exhibits should be designed us- ing quality materials that are long -lasting and require minimal maintenance Murals Murals, temporary or permanent, can be considered for existing or proposed development adjacent to Bozeman Creek 35 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek OPPORTUNITY Social Media #SEEBOZEMANCREEK is a social media campaign aimed at bringing awareness to Bozeman Creek through art and imagery. The images be- low highlight this campaign’s initial storytelling work. This campaign should be maintained and promoted to advance the Bozeman Creek art and placemaking initiative discussed in this analysis and to build citizen engagement and support. 36 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek CONCLUSION Conclusions As the City of Bozeman has grown around Bo- zeman Creek, in some conditions it has been de- graded and channelized to become underappreci- ated and a liability. This artless distinction ignores the importance of this meaningful waterway. In order to revitalize the waterway and the community’s perspective of Bo- zeman Creek, vision and leadership is necessary. Placemaking projects should build upon them- selves to fulfill the vision of a vital and healthy Bo- zeman Creek that will be enjoyed and valued by both residents and visitors. Bogert Park is an example of an early step in this process, one that has built awareness of this amenity and created positive momentum for future efforts. Advance planning and creative funding will be crit- ical to the success of this initiative. Projects that address life and safety concerns along Bozeman Creek may be ideal as initial projects. Regardless of the strategies selected to attain the vision for Bozeman Creek, art and creative placemaking will invite engagement on many levels with this vital waterway. 37 June 2020 Draft #SeeBozemanCreek CONCLUSION Next Steps As has been shown in the preceding sections, there exist many potential art and placemaking project sites within the study area. Next steps fol- lowing this analysis include: • Additional public outreach to maintain #SeeBozemanCreek identity campaign mo- mentum • Monitoring development proposed adjacent to Bozeman Creek • Engagement with City of Bozeman on upcom- ing planning efforts for Downtown Bozeman or Bozeman Creek • Creation of a scoring tool to prioritize project implementation or funding • Pursuit of funding opportunities that support these next steps • Form three (3) Citizen Work Groups - Communications & Funding - Art + Placemaking - Landscape & Water Resources • Develop Art & Placemaking Program - Locations – Purpose - Budget - Phasing - Goals to Reveal and Revitalize creek - Examples: Rebalance: streets / open space / commerce / natural systems Reconnect people with creek Link to and interpret larger watershed landscape • Cultivate and empower partnerships including coordination with the City Commission, City Manager, Community Development Depart- ment, Public Works Department, Parks De- partment, Gallatin Watershed Council, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, The Trust For Public Land, Extreme History Project, Mountain Journal and MSU School of Arts and Architecture 38 June 2020 Draft APPENDIX (FOLD OUT MAPS)