Parks committee recommends two‑story riverside event building to city council

The City Parks Committee on Tuesday voted to recommend a two‑story design with a historical theme for a proposed riverside event building and asked engineering to develop detailed drawings and code‑compliant plans.

The recommendation, made by Miss Webster, committee member, directs staff to send the two‑story concept to city council as the project’s starting point for design and funding work. The motion does not commit the city to construction; staff said only design funds are currently available.

Committee members spent the discussion debating second‑floor size, rental market effects and accessibility. Miss Webster moved “that we approve it, with the historical theme and 2 story,” and a colleague seconded the motion. Joanne, committee member, raised questions about elevator requirements and long‑term costs, asking whether the city had the funds to build and operate a second floor. A staff member noted, “the only money we have now is for design,” and said further fundraising and council approval will be needed to build.

Staff emphasized the recommendation is a conceptual approval meant to authorize engineering and public‑input stages. A presenter said engineering will determine final square footage and code requirements and that more public input will follow once drawings are available. The committee recorded the recommendation and forwarded the two‑story concept to city council; Mr. Morse was noted as not voting on the item.

Next steps described in the discussion include asking engineering to prepare construction drawings and returning to the public for additional input during the design phase. No construction schedule or detailed cost estimate was adopted by the committee.

The committee’s action is advisory: final decisions on construction and funding rest with the elected city council.