Summary.  The historic water reservoir located in Reservoir Park at 1300 East 100 South is in a state of structural failure.  Portions of the concrete roof and tennis court have collapsed, creating an unsafe and unsightly condition.  The reservoir is no longer needed at this site for water storage. Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities has begun the process to demolish the reservoir and restore the site.  The historic wall which fronts 1300 East will be protected and maintained in place, with repair to the antique style lamp posts and improvement to the wall aesthetics (graffiti removal).  

Since the roof collapsed in February 2009, Public Utilities has been soliciting project input from the public through meetings with surrounding Community Councils (Greater Avenues and East Central) in addition to coordinating with the University of Utah, City Arts, Parks, Transportation, Planning, and the Historic Landmark Commission.    

Public Comment and Historic Landmark Commission Review

In addition to the informal public outreach conducted to date with the Greater Avenues and East Central Community Councils (GACC and ECCC), Public Utilities solicited public comment through the Historical Landmark Commission project review process.  The primary historical planning element for the project is the wall located along 1300 East, which will be maintained and protected in place. 

The Planning Division is requesting public input at an informal information session on the proposal. As part of the review regarding this petition, Planning held a public open house on April 23, 2009 to describe the proposed changes and take public comment.  In addition, leadership from the GACC and ECCC canvassed the neighborhood with questionnaires to identify public interest and desired future use of the space and potential improvements for the site after the reservoir is removed.  A majority of respondents indicated a desire for open space use consistent with the existing  use at the northwest corner of the Park.  In consultation with the City Forester and Parks staff, the community requested trees be installed around the perimeter of the reservoir space to match the Hawthorne trees which extend around the northwestern park space.  The community also requested a small grove of trees be installed at the southwest corner of the space to provide shaded grove for passive use such as picnicking and reading, which would also provide a buffer and barrier to the vehicle traffic noise at 1300 East and 100 South.  The Art Barn staff and Transportation Divisions requested pedestrian improvements to the northeast corner of 1300 East 100 South, and a sidewalk along the north side of 100 South from 1300 East to University Street. 

The Historical Landmark Commission approved the demolition of the reservoir at their meeting on May 6, 2009.  The Commission requested that Public Utilities finalize the landscape design based upon the input from the community, City Forester, Parks Division, Transportation, Building Services, and Police CEPTD standards (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), and present the final design to the Commission for final approval.  Public Utilities is on the Commission agenda for July 1, 2009. The agenda for this meeting, when available, may be accessed at www.slcgov.com/boards/HLC/hlc-agen.htm.

HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING

In Room 315 of the City & County Building at 451 South State Street

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.


Background & History.  The 1300 East Reservoir was constructed in 1901.  In 1956, the reservoir was covered and tennis courts were constructed on the roof.  In the 1990’s, the reservoir was taken out of service due to its deterioration, and the tennis courts closed due to safety concerns.  The current site elevation is not ideal for the City water system hydraulics, so the reservoir will not be replaced in kind.  In 1997, Public Utilities created design plans to demolish the reservoir.  The project was delayed due to funding.  The Salt Lake City Arts Council office is located in the Art Barn on the Park site immediately east of the reservoir (54 Finch Lane).  Based upon initial discussion, the Arts Council does not require additional facilities at the reservoir site, but desire input into the final design.  It is understood that City Transportation desires future improvements to the existing intersection at 100 South 1300 East, with the goal of improving pedestrian access and safety while maintaining appropriate vehicle traffic and improving driver line of sight and travel safety. 

 The Proposed Project.  The proposed project has been divided into four phases.  The first phase removes the safety hazard by demolishing the reservoir. 

The second phase includes fill of the reservoir using dirt hauled from University of Utah project excavation sites. The coordination of the University and City projects reduces the amount of earth fill required to be hauled across the City to excavation pits on the north/west side, eliminating nearly 10,000 truck trips and associated fuel use, emissions, traffic and noise impacts to the community. 

The third phase includes restoration of the site to public open space and park use.  Public Utilities has been soliciting stakeholder and public input to guide final design development and work to be accomplished within the existing site restoration budget. Public Utilities site restoration budget includes sufficient funds to install topsoil, an efficient sprinkler irrigation, and turf for open space use by the community.  Public and stakeholder input to date indicate a desire for the space to remain a neighborhood park with open space use.  The final grading is planned to be relatively flat with appropriate drainage.  The historic wall will be protected and maintained in place, and the existing lighting will be restored.  An interpretive sign identifying the historic nature and use of the namesake “Reservoir Park” will be placed at the location, and the pedestrian traffic flow with a sidewalk and grading improvements completed at the northeast intersection of 100 South 1300 East Street.

Site Rendering

Master Planning (Phase 4).   The public has expressed interest to begin the master planning process to make sure the site restoration is consistent with long term master planning goals for public use of the site.  Therefore, City Planning and Public Services Departments have committed to begin the master planning process during the initial design phase of the reservoir demolition to assure the finish grading and site restoration provides are consistent with the communities’ range of possible vision and use for the site.  The scoping and concept development during this reservoir demolition design phase will be used to initiate the fourth phase, which will be the City’s formal master planning process for the site, with successive steps including professional planning, programming, funding and construction within the City’s established capital planning process. 

Demolition and Site Restoration.  Forsgren Associates completed the design for the City in June 2009.  The project was bid and awarded in July 2009 to Ninegret Construction.  The Contractor plans to begin mobilizing the week of August 17^th, and should begin construction the week of August 24.  The project should be complete by the end of October.

Schedule
Demolish Reservoir                          August, 2009
Fill-in Reservoir                          September, 2009
Landscape Site                                October, 2009

Work Hours
The Contractor will limit his work between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Saturday work is not anticipated and Sunday work will be prohibited.

Traffic Plan
The north westbound lane of 100 South and the east northbound lane of 1300 East will be closed to traffic during weekdays for contractor access to haul fill for the site.  Pedestrians will need to use the south side of 100 South.   During working hours the access to the Art Barn will be from University Street. 

 Impact Mitigation
In addition to traffic plan and noise ordinance limitations, the contractor is required to control dust and debris from the site, keep the roads clean. Questions or concerns should be directed to the Contractor or City Project Manager.

Contact Information
Ninegret Project Manager:  Eric Rice
(801) 973-9090
City Project Manager:  Bob Sperling
(801) 483-6888   robert.sperling@slcgov.com

Schedule:

Initial Public Outreach and Scope Development          February 2009

Historic Landmarks Committee (initial presentation)   March 4, 2009

Greater Avenues Community Council                         March 4, 2009

East Central Community Council                                 April 9, 2009

Project Open House (City & County Building)            April 23, 2009 (4:30-6:00 pm )

Historic Landmarks Committee (demo approved)       May 6, 2009

Final Design                                                                 May, 2009

Historic Landmarks Committee (Landscape design)    July 1, 2009

Bidding                                                                        June - July 2009

Reservoir Demolition   (Phase 1)                                  July, 2009

Fill from University of Utah Project (Phase 2)             August - September, 2009

Surface Restoration/Landscaping (Phase 3)                 October 2009

Wall Lighting and Repair                                             October 2009              

Master Planning & Programming (Phase 4)                  2009 - 2012

Last update:  6/15/09