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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080303 - VI-03February 27, 2008 VI_3 TO: The Honorable Mayor and Council FROM: John Grossman, HRA Director RE: Authorize agreement for interpretive planning service The City of Hastings and the National Park Service (NPS), through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), have completed cooperative ventures such as the riverside trail interpretive panels and the kiosk near the landing in 2003 and 2004, funded by a grant from the NPS through I~~INNRRRA. Between 2002 and 2005 the City, through its Natural Resources and Recreation Commission, developed an interpretive center concept, for a location in JC Park. A number of grants and a state appropriation were requested, but fell short of the amount needed. The proposed location raised difficulties with the flood plain. Recently the Mayor's Work Group of Planning Committee, HRA and EDC members, with input from downtown community members, have been brainstorming various public improvements to enhance downtown as a visitor destination. One of the ideas under consideration is an interpretive or visitor center. Last Thursday, February 28, the City and NPS hosted a workshop on the topic of what a potential visitor/interpretive center, between Second Street and the river, might entail. A written summary of the meeting, plus stakeholder interviews and preliminary analysis will give the City a workable concept for future planning and fundraising. We have asked Jim Roe, an experienced interpretive planner, to provide a quote for producing this document. As shown on his resume, Mr. Roe is a specialist in this area, having served as a consultant for the National Park Service, Science Museum, Minnesota Historical Society and other Minnesota cities. Mr. Roe's quote and scope of the report are attached. The cost, $4,860, will be covered by a grant from the National Park Service through the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area. The amount of the quote, plus the professional services nature of the work exempt it from bidding requirements. RECOMMENDATION: Accept the quote by Jim Roe, and authorize execution of the enclosed agreement by the Mayor and City Clerk. CITY OF HASTINGS AGREEMENT WITH JiM ROE FOR INTERPRETIVE PLANNING This agreement, dated , by and between the City of Hastings. a municipal corporation in the State of Minnesota, hereinafter referred to as "the city" and Jim Roe, 865 Lenox Ave., St. Paul, hereinafter referred to as "the contractor". This agreement includes the following parts, all of which are as fully a part of this agreement as if set out verbatim: The attached proposal, Developing a Visitor Center Concept for Hastings, Minnesota, Proposal by Jim Roe, February 21, 2008 Any subsequent changes to this agreement are to be made in writing and signed by the city's representative and the contractor. The City agrees to provide relevant plans and documents and assist with interviews as requested by the contractor. In consideration of the sums to be paid by the city to the contractor, the contractor agrees to provide the services and products identified in the proposal within the time frame specified. The contractor will provide 14 bound and 1 unbound copy and a PDF file of the report. The contractor will furnish all labor, materials, equipment and all else necessary to complete the written report and deliver it to Hastings for the price of $4,860.00. The report is to be delivered to the City of Hastings by March 31, 2008. The contractor will bill the city for $4,860.00 upon submission of the final report. FOR THE CITY OF HASTINGS FOR THE CONTRACTOR Mayor Jim Roe City Clerk (seal) Developing a Visitor Center Concept for Hastings, Minnesota Proposal by Jun Roe February Z1, Z008 Project Understanding The City of Hastings, in cooperation with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, is taking the first steps toward planning a new visitor center. The purpose of this center will be to connect Hastings visitors to the area's history, amenities, and attractions. A public meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2008 to gather ideas about desired features, possible designs and locations, and the proposed center's relationship to other local destinations. Scope of Work Attend the public meeting on February 28`h in Hastings, take notes and produce a written summary [6-7 hours] Review existing relevant materials provided by the City of Hastings (plans and documents) [3-4 hours] Meet with and facilitate conversations among key advisors and stakeholders (2-3 meetings in Hastings/St. Paul area) [8-10 hours] Write a preliminary positioning statement that articulates the case being made for the proposed center and describes its place in the context of other cultural destinations and amenities in the area (e.g. LeDuc Historic House, Great River Road Center, and the Gathering Center at Schaar's Bluff). [5-6 hours] Develop a preliminary building program that addresses: • Space, site, and functional requirements and priorities • Building performance standards (sustainable building practices, LEED certification) • User-driven design goals (e.g. entry sequence, space adjacencies, viewsheds) [20 hours] Develop a preliminary interpretive plan that addresses: • Potential audiences • Visitor experience goals • Exhibit and program themes and stories (e.g. the river's human and natural history) • Key messages [12 hours] Timeline Project begins February 28 with a final written report due March 31, 2008 Fees $4860.00 (based on $90 per hour) invoiced upon submission of final report Jim Roe Project Development and Interpretive Planning 865 Lenox Avenue St. Paul, MN 55119 mobile: 651-249-6126 jroe e,unm.edu As a consultant to museums, parks, and nature centers, Jim Roe provides leadership and vision during the early stages of interpretive planning and experience development. His particular expertise lies in connecting audiences with history, science, and the arts using techniques from theater, video media, interactive exhibits, and landscape design. Through facilitated workshops, process documentation, and written experience scenarios, he works to align a project's educational goals with anticipated visitor expectations, fund-raising prospects, staff expertise, and partner resources. A proven collaborator, Jim works with architects, film and media producers, landscape architects, and exhibit designers to create memorable learning experiences for all audiences. Jim has been developing and producing immersive experiences for museums and outdoor learning centers for nearly 20 years. He completed his MA in American Studies at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on urban and architectural history. Pursuing a long-standing interest in public history, he joined the staff of the Minnesota Historical Society, where his work included researching, writing, and several summers as a historic- site interpreter. He then worked as an exhibit developer at the Science Museum of Minnesota. From 1998 to 2002 he served as Director of Exhibits at the Minnesota Children's Museum. He is currently Exhibit Development Manager at the Bell Museum of Natural History, where he leads exhibit master planning for a new museum and outdoor interpretive facility set to open in 2010. Selected Projects and Clients Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake, MN Interpretive Master Planning 2006 - 2007 Client: Ramsey County Parks and Recreation 1n 2006, this 320-acre park preserve began amulti-year umbrella project entitled Destination of Discovery. The central purpose of this project is to redirect Tamarack Nature Center away from the traditional role of a nature center toward becoming a community resource that integrates personal explorations of nature, art, and the humanities. Services performed in partnership with Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., landscape architects. Putting Green Park, New Ulm, MN Interpretive Exhibits and Project Development Consulting 2004 - 2007 Client: Putting Crreen, Inc. This environmental adventure park is dedicated to teaching children and families key principles of ecological sustainability through a variety of fun outdoor activities. It features a series of miniature golf learning stations, gardens, and trails. In 2007, Putting Green Inc. embarked on collaboration with MRCI of Minnesota to establish an organic garden and farm that will employ local youth and people with disabilities. Robot Object Theater, Museum of Science, Boston, MA Project Lead 2004 - 2005 Client: Exhibit Services, Science Museum of Minnesota Set in the dark and rusted hull of a Sandcrawler, this object theater uses the characters, storylines, and locations of StarWars to draw comparisons between imaginary robots and those created by real-world roboticists. This 30-seat theater tours nationally as part of StarWars: Where Science Meets Imagination, an exhibit and media project created by the Museum of Science, Boston. The Big Back Yard, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Project Development and Exhibit Planning 2002-2004 Client: Science Museum of Minnesota This 1.2-acre park opened in June 2004, featuring 9 holes of miniature golf, interactive river models, a 36- foot-long sand-and-water stream table, and a 17,000-square-foot prairie maze. The project's goal was to engage visitors in the processes of landscape evolution as well as introduce them to issues of watershed protection and renewable energy. The Big Back Yard was developed in partnership with the University of Minnesota's St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Mississippi River Visitor Center, National Park Service, St. Paul Exhibit Development and Writing 2003 Client: Exhibit Services, Science Museum of Minnesota Located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota, the center serves as a gateway for people interested in exploring the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a 72-mile-long stretch of the river in the Twin Cities area. Featured are exhibits on river history, culture, and commerce; online trip- planningstations; and a retail component. Rooftop ArtPark, Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul Project Director 2002 Client: Services performed as Director of Exhibits, Minnesota Children's Museum This outdoor exhibit gallery provides museum visitors with an unusual opportunity to play on a downtown rooftop and enjoy exhibits and programs that explore the connections between art and nature. It features a glass-gazebo art studio, a 12-foot-tall tree fort, a shadow dome, and a rocky stream table. Roe, Page 2 Consulting Projects Charlotte Trolley Inc., exhibit concept planning for a new streetcar museum, Charlotte, NC, 2008 Science Museum Oklahoma, exhibit concept planning with Science Museum of Minnesota Exhibit Services, Oklahoma City, OK, 2007 American Swedish Institute, project development consulting for a proposed facility housing multiple Scandinavian organizations, Minneapolis, MN, 2007 National Eagle Center, exhibit concept planning with KidZibits, LLC, Wabasha, MN, 2006- 2007 Twin Cities Public Television, project development for "DragonflyTY GPS: Investigating the Nanoworld, a proposal to the National Science Foundation, 2006 - 2007 Schutz Audubon Nature Center, exhibit concept planning with KidZibits, LLC, Milwaukee, WI, 2006 Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, concept planning with KidZibits, LLC, for interpretive experiences and site orientation, Dakota County Pazks Department, Eagan, MN, 2006 Nanoscate Informal Science Education Network, schematic development for an immersion theater experience on nanoscale science, Science Museum of Minnesota, 2006 Rapids Lake Visitor Center, exhibit and interpretive planning with KidZibits, LLC, and MS&R Architects for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Carver, MN, 2004 - 2006 National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, project development for anation-wide outreach program focusing on changing rivers, University of Minnesota, 2006 International Crane Foundation, exhibit master planning with KidZibits, LLC, for an education facility, Baraboo, WI, 2005 - 2006 Miami Museum of Science, design review of Amazon voyage, with the Science Museum of Minnesota, 2004 LeDuc Historic Estate, interpretive planning for Dakota County Historical Society, Hastings, MN, 2003 Ironworld Discovery Center, Chisholm, MN, interpretive planning with Science Museum of Minnesota Exhibit Services, 1999 Roe, Page 3 Jim Roe 865 Lenox Avenue St. Paul MN 551 i9 651-249-6126 jroe(a~umn.edu Museum Experience James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History, Exhibit Development Manager, 2005 -Present • Manages exhibit planning and development for a proposed new museum facility • Administers vendor selection and contracts for all exhibit planning services • Co-directs audience research projects with Head of Public Programs • Develops budgets and schedules for exhibit design and fabrication • Serves on the Building Advisory Committee for a new museum facility • Leads creative development of indoor and outdoor visitor experiences, including exhibits, theaters, and teaching environments Jim Roe, Project Development and Interpretive Planning, 2002 -Present • Facilitates workshops for planning and project reviews • Consults on all aspects of exhibit master planning • Develops interpretive strategies for history, science, and early learning content • Manages creative teams for museums and interpretive facilities Minnesota Children 's Museum, Director of Exhibits, 1998 - 2002 • Supervised a staff of 14 and managed an annual department budget exceeding $2 million • Responsible for the oversight of all exhibit development, design, and production, including managing projects with $1-2 million budgets • Established a traveling exhibit rental program reaching a national audience of more than one million museum and library visitors annually • Member of the museum's senior management team, providing program direction for strategic planning, goal setting, and budgetary issues • Represented the museum to the Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative, a national nine-member organization providing traveling exhibits for children Science Museum of Minnesota, Exhibit Developer, 1996 - 1998 • Led exhibit development process from concept planning to production • Developed interpretive strategies to meet educarional and program goals • Guided and evaluated component testing with Museum audiences • Directed critical reviews of works in progress with museum staff and advisors Minnesota Historical Society, Exhibit Curator, 1992 - 1996 • Led exhibit teams in the content and design development of Minnesota History Center projects with production budgets ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 • Wrote and edited text for exhibits and media projects • Led atwo-year project to assess, revise, and repair exhibits throughout the Historic Sites statewide network • Responsible for ongoing evaluation and revisions of existing exhibits • Served on the Publications Advisory Committee for the MHS Press, 1993-1996 Minnesota Historical Society, Exhibit Researcher, 1991-1992 Minnesota Historical Society, Historic Site Interpreter, 1989 -1991 Hennepin History Museum, Exhibit Developer 1990 -1991 University of Minnesota Art Museum, Education Intern, 1987 -1988 Education Master of Arts, 1990 University of Minnesota American Studies with concentrations in urban and architectural history Bachelor of Arts, 1985 University of Minnesota Major in American Studies Selected Publications and Presentations Presenter, "The New Bell Museum: Designing a Destination for Informal Learning," School of Arehitecfure, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, October 2007 Instructor, "Platforms of Learning: Designing for Museum Experiences," aneight-week, undergraduate design workshop for the School of Architecture, University of Minnesota, Fa112007 Panelist, "A Table Is to Dance on: Exploring the Concept of Affordances in Museums," Minnesota Association of Museums, Aru~ual Meeting, St_ Peter MN, Apri12007 Presenter, "Source to Sink in One Acre: Using Research Data and Tools to Create an Outdoor Museum Experience," Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Denver CO November 2004 Panelist, "For-profit Ventures in a Non-profit World: How to Maximize Profits while Protecting your Exempt Status and Intellectual Property," Association of Midwest Museums, Annual Meeting, Minneapolis MN, November 2002 Panelist, "Concept to Evaluation: What Really Matters?"Association of Children's Museums, Annual Meeting, Baltimore MD, May 2000 "Stepping into the Other Person's Shoes: Interpreting Conflict from Multiple Perspectives," History News, Spring 1998 Education writer, Nineteenth Avenue, a newspaper for junior-high students, Humphrey Forum, University of Minnesota, articles in l4 issues, 1991- 1998 Presenter, "A Skyline Becomes Las Vegas, 1946-1972," California American Studies Association, San Luis Obispo CA, 1990 "Out of the Ordinary: Discovering Minnesota's Common Landscape," Roots (Minnesota Historical Society) 1990 Co-author, Building on Imagination: Architecturallmagery in Children's.8ooks, exhibition catalog, University of Minnesota Art Museum, 1989, featured in Architecture Mmnesota Sept/Oct. 1990 Professional Service Reviewer for Journal of Museum Education, Winter 2004 Program Committee, Association of Children's Museums, 2000 - 2002 Program Committee, Minnesota Association of Museums, 1995 - 1996