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Council adopts high-level LC Stevens master-plan framework after extended debate over costs and phasing
Summary
MSA consultants presented a 'dream' master plan for LC Stevens Park informed by public engagement; councilors pressed on cost, phasing and priorities and voted to adopt a high-level plan without dollar figures or required phasing, directing staff to return with a trimmed, non-priced document for use with funders.
MSA consultants presented a draft master plan for LC Stevens Park that grew out of public engagement and a steering-committee process; the plan included a renovated historic barn, expanded amphitheater, a splash pad and river boardwalks. The consultants said 134 survey responses informed the concept.
"We got responses from over a 134 different households," said Eleanor Grama of MSA, describing the public outreach that shaped the concepts.
The design team and council debated scale and funding. Several council members praised the concept but said the packet’s dollar estimates and specific phasing made the plan difficult to adopt as written. Concerns included whether the city should present a $16M–$20M 'dream' figure to residents, how to phase investments and what could be accomplished in the near term without a referendum.
After lengthy discussion and public comment — including a resident who said, "We completely love this idea" — the council moved to adopt a more generic, high-level master-plan framework with maps and program areas but without the detailed phase numbering or dollar amounts included in the consultant packet. The motion passed.
Why it matters: adopting a high-level plan preserves the consultants’ spatial vision (where parking, a building, amphitheater and splash pad belong) while allowing the council and staff to phase, fundraise and refine project scopes before seeking voter approval or bonding. Staff noted several funding paths: phased grant applications, targeted donor outreach and placing a bond referendum before voters when appropriate. The council asked staff to return with a narrowed near-term Phase 1 recommendation (building, splash pad and stage cover were repeatedly discussed as priorities).
What’s next: MSA will provide a version of the plan with the detailed cost figures and phasing removed, per the council direction; staff will work with the council at an upcoming meeting to identify items for a near-term work plan and funding strategy.
