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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20071128cokeovensAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY REGULAR MEETING DATE: 11/28/2007 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, TO ACCEPT PRESERVE AMERICA GRANT FUNDING FOR THE REDSTONE COKE OVENS STABILIZATION/RESTORATION PROJECT STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Crystal Yates-White, Suzannah Reid, Jodi Smith DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE: Staff desires to apply for a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service to help fund the Coke Ovens Stabilization/Rehabilitation project. This is the first of several grants for which staff will be applying in winter 2008 to fund the Project. Per the application requirements, staff must include a resolution of support from the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners demonstrating the Board's commitment to the project and stating the Board's willingness to accept Preserve America funding, if awarded. Preserve America funding is not granted for actual restoration work, but rather for Research, Education, Planning, Marketing, and Training activities to promote heritage assets. Therefore, for this application, staff is applying for funds for the Education and Interpretation Program portion of the Redstone Coke Ovens Stabilization/Rehabilitation Project. Public education, about the value and significance of the coke ovens via interpretive walkways and signage through the historic park, will be vital to ensuring the long-term protection and promotion of this historic treasure. Staff has included a Project Overview, for the Board's review. Please note that adollar- for-dollar non-Federal match is required for all projects, and may include cash, donated services, or use of equipment. RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Review Project Overview and approve resolution. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, TO ACCEPT PRESERVE AMERICA GRANT FUNDING FOR THE REDSTONE COKE OVENS STABILIZATION/RESTORATION PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. -2007 Recitals 1. WHEREAS the National Park Service, in administration of Preserve America Grant Funding to support planning, development, and implementation of heritage tourism programs, requires that all applications for Preserve America funds be accompanied by a Resolution from the local governing council showing its willingness to accept Preserve America funding, if awarded, and demonstrating its commitment to the project. 2. WHEREAS the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County is committed to the preservation and promotion of the historic Redstone Coke Ovens; 3. WHEREAS the Board of County Commissioners has allocated Budget as grant matching funds for the Redstone Coke Oven Stabilization/Rehabilitation Project; 4. WHEREAS the Redstone Community Association,. the Redstone Historical Society, and the Aspen Valley Land Trust are in full support of the Redstone Coke Oven Stabilization/Rehabilitation Project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado that 1. The Pitkin County Commissioners wish to support the application for a Preserve America Grant to fund the Redstone Coke Ovens Education and Interpretation Program, as outlined in the Project Overview. 2. This grant will be administered jointly by the Land Manager and the Facilities Manager; and be it further RESOLVED that the Board will accept these funds, if awarded, and is committed to the successful completion of said project; and be it further RESOLVED that a public hearing on the resolution shall be held on the 28`~ day of November 2007, at the Courthouse Plaza Conference Room, Aspen, Colorado. INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 14, 2007. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON NOVEMBER 18, 2007. ADOPTED AFTER FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 28, 2007. PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER ADOPTION, IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON DECEMBER 9, 2007. ATTEST: COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF COUNTY OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO By Jeanette Jones Deputy County Clerk sy Michael M. Owsley, Chair Date: APPROVED AS TO FORM: STAFF SIGNATURE; Crystal Yates-White, Land Manager John Ely, County Attorney MANAGER APPROVAL: Hilary Fletcher, County Manager Redstone Coke Ovens Education and Interpretation Program Project Overview Staff is working toward the following goals for the development of the Redstone Coke Ovens Historic Park. • To preserve and Protect the Treasure of the historic beehive coke ovens • To involve the Community in ongoing cultural/historical education • To benefit the heritage tourism sector of Redstone, and • To shine as an example to other communities of how to protect and promote their historical legacies. In order to meet these goals, staff is applying for funding to support the development of educational and interpretive features at the site. This project will be an important component of the Redstone Coke Ovens preservation project, helping to protect the ovens long-term by establishing site design features which will educate the public, direct foot and car traffic through the park, and promote the site throughout the community. The Project will entail 3 major components: Development of a Landscape Design, Production of Interpretive Signage, and Implementation. Landscape Design Staff, community representatives, and Landscape Designer will work together to determine how to develop the site in a way that will facilitate visitors while protecting the historical assets. A Landscape Design Plan will be developed to address the following questions: • What features at the site are publicly interesting and educational? • Which of these can be made accessible to the public, and how? • How will car/foot traffic and parking issues be addressed? • Where will Signs be placed? • How to address issues of liability? • How will these features be maintained? Final Landscape Design will be brought before the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners for its approval before implementation. Graphic Design Staff, community representatives, and Graphic Designer will work together to develop interpretive Signage for the site. This will require significant collaboration with the people of Redstone, including the Redstone Historical Society and the Redstone Community Association, to collect informational and visual materials to include on the signs. The role of signage will be two-fold: 1) to educate visitors on the local and national historical significance of the coke ovens and 2) to draw visitors into the unique village of Redstone, Colorado. Graphic Designer(s) will design and produce sign graphics and structure. Final Signage designs will be brought before the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners for its approval before implementation. 4 Implementation Staff and community volunteers will work to implement the Landscape Design. This may include path construction, parking lot delineation, revegetation, and sign structure implementation. In addition, staff will use the Landscape Design to develop a master maintenance plan for the site. While physical stabilization and rehabilitation of the crumbling Redstone Coke Ovens remains a high priority, educating the public on the significance of these historic beehive coke ovens is also crucial component of their long-term protection. Interpretive signage will also prove crucial to the long-term vitality of the Village of Redstone itself, whose economy is heavily supported by heritage tourism. As visitors learn to appreciate the value this historic treasure and the work of the community to preserve it, they will be less likely to vandalize it for "souvenirs" and more likely to fight for its protection, and for the protection of such treasures in their own communities.