Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Donation Agreement and a Developer's Agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation for the Privately Funded Improvement of the Crowley Station Well and Reservoir Surface at 201 S. Hancock Street. The cost for the project planning, design, and construction will be paid for using private donations worth an estimated value of $400,000. Parks Division costs in 2023 are anticipated to be covered from the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget. Ongoing operating expenses are estimated to cost $5,000 annually and will be included in future budget requests.
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a Donation Agreement and a Developer’s Agreement with the Madison Parks Foundation for the Privately Funded Improvement of the Crowley Station Well and Reservoir Surface at 201 S. Hancock Street (District 4).
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WHEREAS, the Madison Water Utility operates a subterranean well and reservoir on E. Wilson St. at 201 S. Hancock St. (Well #17, also known as Crowley Station), which facility has a large exposed concrete surface accessible at street level; and,
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Parks Division, the Water Utility, an informal group of residents, property owners and business interests (the “Friends of Crowley Station”), and a downtown neighborhood association, Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. (“CNI”), entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “2013 MOU”) regarding the improvement, use and maintenance of Crowley Station as public open space. Under the 2013 MOU, the Friends of Crowley Station, through CNI, were authorized to make certain improvements to Crowley Station, and the Parks Division agreed to maintain and treat the surface as park space. Crowley Station has been maintained as a public open space since then, but remains an underutilized community asset; and,
WHEREAS, in 2020, community members began rethinking the possible uses of Crowley Station. In consultation with the Parks Division and the Water Utility, these interested community members have developed a vision to develop and transform the Crowley Station surface into a “Lakefront Porch”, which will broaden the range of activities and uses for the space. Sufficient private funding has been secured to advance the Lakefront Porch project (the “Project”); and,
WHEREAS, the Water Utility and the Parks Division have both agreed to the Lakefront Porch proposal and are supportive of the further development of the site; and,
WHEREAS, by a companion resolution (File No. 78675), the Common Council will declare the surface of the Crowley Station facility to be a City park, to be managed as an asset of the Parks Division; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed Lakefront Porch improvement project will allow the City to create additional useable and programmable park and open space in the downtown, further activating and utilizing this underused asset and providing the neighborhood with a valuable amenity; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison Parks Foundation (the Foundation) is the City’s official non-profit fund raising collaborator for the City’s parks and open space system (RES-12-00506, File No. 26651). The City and MPF have successfully worked together recently to redevelop Glenway Golf Course (The Glen Golf Park) through the donation of substantial privately funded improvements (RES-21-00174, File No. 64472; RES-22-00420, File No. 71123); and,
WHEREAS, the Foundation is willing to work with the Lakefront Porch community members to raise funds for the Lakefront Porch improvements to Crowley Station, and to manage the redevelopment project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a Donation and Improvement Agreement (the “Donation Agreement”) with the Madison Parks Foundation for the Lakefront Porch Improvements to Crowley Station, on a form and in a manner that is approved by the City Attorney, the Parks Superintendent and the Water Utility General Manager; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Parks Superintendent is authorized to accept, on behalf
of the City and after consultation with the City Engineer and the Water Utility General Manager, plans for the Lakefront Porch improvement and to approve any plans and specifications for the privately funded Lakefront Porch improvement project; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Madison Parks Foundation is authorized to construct public improvements to the surface of Crowley Station consistent with the approved Lakefront Porch plans, in accordance with the terms of the Contract For the Donation and Construction of Public Improvements to be Accepted by the City of Madison (the “Construction Agreement”) at the sole cost of the developer; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into the Construction Agreement, on a form and in a manner that is approved by the City Attorney, the Parks Superintendent, the Water Utility General Manager, and the City Engineer; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute, deliver, and accept and record any and all documents and take such other actions as shall be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of the Donation Agreement and the Construction Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.