City, Mountain Line outline civic‑space concept at Downtown Connection Center; parking and winter use top questions

City staff and representatives from Mountain Line presented a concept diagram for the civic space adjacent to the Downtown Connection Center on May 12 to the Beautification and Public Arts Commission, showing how a combination of hardscape and green space could fit on the parcel while retaining room for a future parking structure.

Commissioners described the matter as significant for the South Side and downtown because the civic space will be heavily programmed, operated by the city and funded in part by federal transit dollars; how the space is designed will affect accessibility, maintenance costs, snow storage and downtown parking capacity.

Dave McIntyre and Amy (project staff) led the presentation and ran through a “bubble” diagram that places a civic plaza near the new transit hub, an adjacent naturalized park in the floodway and a potential parking garage north of the civic area. The presentation noted the project stems from an existing intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that defines the broad boundaries of the civic space and the Downtown Connection Center parcel.

Mountain Line staff said the Downtown Connection Center is supported by a Federal Transit Administration grant that includes a civic‑space component. As a result, Mountain Line expects the transit agency to deliver some hardscape and amenity elements; the city will operate and maintain the completed civic space through Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events.

Planned amenities shown in the bubble diagram include trees and raised planters, an urban trail connection, a photographer/viewpoint, a splash pad, a public restroom and mechanical room, a food‑truck area, a pop‑up stage or concession area, and naturalized green space designed to accommodate the site’s floodway constraints. Presenters highlighted site opportunities and constraints: utilities and bus‑bay clearance, the viewing platform at the DCC, and the floodway limits on what can be built in the green space.

Commissioners and participants focused questions on several operational issues. Staff acknowledged that a splash pad requires winterization and mechanical housing and suggested the splash pad area could also be a snow‑storage site for cleared bus bays; Mountain Line said snow storage needs are already factored into operations. Staff noted that any lighting or kinetic features would require durability testing and appropriate mechanical access. A city staff member urged coordination with 811 and utilities before planting or excavation.

Speakers also discussed parking. The concept anticipates a parking structure to the north of the civic space to offset surface parking losses, but presenters said the garage has not been fully engineered; its final height and capacity will depend on detailed design and engineering review. McIntyre said the parties have discussed a structure that could extend over some bus bays; engineering work will determine feasibility.

Maintenance and operations were central. Parks and recreation staff confirmed the department will maintain the civic space if developed and noted early discussions about how programming, restroom access and security will be handled. The presentation also flagged that the DCC sculpture funded by the Beautification program is coordinated with the design team and will be integrated into the civic plan.

Next steps: staff said the project will move toward a 60% design milestone and will return to commissions and to council for feedback and approvals. Presenters asked BPAC for direction on public‑art integration and for comments on the palette of amenities and materials.

The item was presented for discussion; no final approvals were taken at the meeting.