Nicodemus

National Historic Site

Visitor Center

Site Selection Study

and

Environmental Analysis

THE PROJECT

To identify the programming needs for a new Visitor Center and Administrative facility.

To develop and apply site selection criteria that can help identify the best general location for the facility.

THE PURPOSE

To inform the public about the Nicodemus National Historic Site- Site Selection Study and to gather public comments regarding this work.

All comments will be delivered back to NPS and the consultants for consideration/inclusion in the final document.

QUESTIONS?

BASELINE DOCUMENTS

General Management Plan- “as close to…the historic site….as possible”, “within or near the district”….

Cultural Landscape Report- outside the district.

QUESTIONS?

BACKGROUND TO THE PROCESS

Two years ago. Community visioning. Architectural standards identified. Potential properties identified. Property owners contacted.

Since then… many property owners declined.

Re-group.

Document restructuring . More general in nature.

QUESTIONS?

DOCUMENT STRUCTURE

Project goals.Spatial needs.Design and siting criteria.Generic potential site designs.Value Analysis / Environmental Analysis.

QUESTIONS?

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

PROJECT GOALSVernacular architecture- form, scale and materials.

Sustainable prairie living- Minimum LEED silver rating.

Compatible with the Historic Landmark District- views, settings, etc.

Integrated with Town life. Minimize impact upon everyday life. Easy to find.

MORE

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

PROJECT GOALS

Express individual character of Nicodemus and Site- not cookie cutter.

Supports an authentic visitor experience. Facilities for visitor services, and complies with Long Range Interpretive Plan.

Meets NPS and Community needs.

Source of Community pride and legacy. Creation of a landmark.

QUESTIONS?

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

SPATIAL NEEDS

Two versions:

-Visitor Center (8,423 s.f. on 5 acres)

-Visitor Contact Station (6,596 s.f.on 2 acres)

The Difference: Exhibit space in the VC vs less in the VCS and more in the buildings.

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

SITE LOCATION AND DESIGN CRITERIA

-Walkable.-Driveable.-Minimal new parking.-Historic fabric (i.e.: does it NOT look out of place?).-Authentic visitor experience.-Integrity of setting retained.-Compatible scale.-Minimal vehicle traffic.

MORE

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

SITE LOCATION AND DESIGN CRITERIA

-Water and sewer availability.-Site is available, with a willing and interested seller.-Visual connection without negative impact.-Minimal negative impact on the community.-Sustainable development- solar, wind, etc.-Adequate acreage.

QUESTIONS?

GOALS…SPATIAL… DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-

ROADSIDE PARK

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-

NO ACTION

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-TOWNSITE

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-TOWNSITE

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-

TOWNSHIP

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-

TOWNSHIP

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

GENERIC POTENTIAL SITE DESIGNS-

USE HISTORIC BUILDINGS

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS….VALUE ANALYSIS…..

SO HOW DO “WE” PICK THE RIGHT ONE?

Identify important factors that need to be weighted between the alternatives, such as : How does pedestrian safety compare between the alternatives? A number of

factors were identified, but…..

The three critical factors were:

-Maintain the Town as a Living Place.-Minimize the development footprint.

-Minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflict with Highway 24.

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS…. VALUE ANALYSIS…..

THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE-TOWNSITE

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS…. VALUE ANALYSIS…..

THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE-TOWNSITE

PROJECT GOALS-Vernacular architecture- form, scale and materials.-Sustainable prairie living- Minimum LEED silver rating.-Compatible with the Historic Landmark District- views, settings, etc.-Integrated with Town life. Minimize impact upon everyday life. Easy to find.-Express individual character of Nicodemus and Site- not cookie cutter.-Supports an authentic visitor experience. Facilities for visitor services, and complies with Long Range Interpretive Plan-Meets NPS and Community needs.-Source of Community pride and legacy. Creation of a landmark.

QUESTIONS?

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS…. VALUE ANALYSIS…..

THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE-TOWNSITE

SITE LOCATION AND DESIGN CRITERIA

-Walkable.-Driveable.-Minimal new parking.-Historic fabric (does it NOT look out of place?).-Authentic visitor experience.-Integrity of setting retained.-Compatible scale.-Minimal vehicle traffic.-Water and Sewer availability.-Site is available with a willing, interested seller.-Visual connection without negative impact.-Minimal negative impact on the community.-Sustainable development- solar, wind, etc.-Adequate acreage.

QUESTIONS?

GOALS…SPATIAL….DESIGN…GENERICS…. VALUE ANALYSIS…..

THE NEXT STEPS

Compile the comments from the public review.

Edit the document and complete it.

Superintendent review and determination.

Application of the criteria to all properties within the “scope”. Prioritize.

Contact property owner. Get yay or nay.

MORE

THE NEXT STEPS

Keep going until we get a yay.

Get community concurrence on it.

Proceed with the sale or donation.

Develop designs with community comment / participation.

Build it.

COMMENTSPlease feel free to write your comments here and deposit them in the container near the Township Hall entrance. Thanks.