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Item 10ALog Cabin Committee Report to City Council “This log cabin is the only vestige of our heritage remaining in Southlake besides the city’s five cemeteries.” -Historian Jack Wiesman Our Freeman Cabin Built by one of Southlake’s Earliest Settlers John A Freeman Dates to the 1860’s Originally located in a stand of oak trees across from Town Square on the Land which is now Central Market It is a registered Historical Site 15 ft. x 12 ft. Single story one room cabin Directive from City Council on December 6, 2005 Council established Ordinance No 05-074 creating the Log Cabin Committee to: Recommend a location for the placement of the historic log cabin as well as potential inclusion of other suitable historic features Develop a master plan for the placement and programming of the log cabin and other potential historical features Develop a conceptual plan for the layout of the log cabin and site amenities Provide detailed cost estimates for log cabin restoration and site amenities Provide color rendering of the restored log cabin Investigate potential joint opportunities for planning, construction and operations Present a final report to City Council with recommendations to include the information listed above within 60 to 90 days Committee Members Council Member Laura Hill – Co Chair Council Member Virginia Muzyka – Co Chair Carlie Stephenson C.D Peebles Dr. Ray Chancellor Craig Rothmeier Jason Kasal Greg Standerfer F.C LeVrier Historical Society Member Connie Cooley Historical Society Member Lou Ann Heath Parks Board Vice Chair Mike Mills Parks Board Member Emily Galpin Steve Polasek – Staff Liaison Ken Baker – Staff Liaison December 15, 2005 Reviewed Councils’ directive, background of the Cabins placement and Leadership Southlake study 18 sites were identified by the committee Sites included City, Private and CISD owned properties Committee members encouraged to tour each site before the second meeting and to consider each criteria while touring Setting Weighted Criteria Before the second meeting every committee member submitted a ranking of each criteria to City Staff Each criteria was assigned a “weight “ based on a computer tally/average of the votes Security Ease of Access Topography Expense related to development Proximity to a destination location Potential for future growth Safety for running/playing children Handicap Accessibility Fits with the setting Visibility Parking Drainage January 12, 2006 Each potential site was reviewed and all positives and challenges were listed Using the computer, each criteria was voted on for each location by every committee member All 12 criteria were voted on for all 18 locations 4 top sites were selected based on the vote results Bicentennial Park (Bunker Hill), Bicentennial Park (West Side), Summit Park and Noble Oaks Bicentennial West Side was unanimously rejected due to the time frame for development January 12, Second Vote The 3 top sites were discussed again and another vote, by criteria was taken The committee voted to move forward with the top 2 sites, Bicentennial and Summit Park which received substantially more votes than Noble Oaks Committee members voted to add and rank 8 additional criteria making the total criteria considered 20 Setting consistent with cabin era Sites historical significance Additional area for subsistence farming plot Promotes tourism Fits in as part of an educational setting/area Appeal to Visitors Synergy with adjacent facilities Positive impact on adjacent landowners, residents and businesses February 6, 2006 The Committee toured each site as a group The site visits provided Committee members an opportunity to better evaluate the feasibility of each location and to discuss as a group various aspects in more detail February 20, 2006 Using the 20 site selection criteria developed and weighted by all Committee members, Bicentennial Park and Summit Park were individually scored by all 13 Committee members All criteria votes were entered into the computer Summit Park 414 points (20.9) Bicentennial Park 429 points (21.6) The lower score represents the more favorable location Southlake’s Summit Park Has some of our most beautiful mature Park trees and scenic vistas in keeping with the cabins original location across the street The cabin would be best placed on the western slope, away from the Brownstones and at the entrance to Summit Park facing Central Avenue Additional space is available for future possible placement of farm implements or artifacts Opportunities to use the existing park trail to place etched natural stone markers, describing Southlake’s history. Intended to blend with the setting and serve as a self guided walking tour Conceptual Plan Utilize existing mature trees as a backdrop Recommend additional dense landscaping to buffer to the north from Main Street and offer greater site line to Central Avenue Use native grasses, shrubs and wildflowers, crushed granite walkways and dry stack rocks Added amenities may include; low level security/accent lighting, replica water well, etched stone signage and a historical walking tour. Budget COST ESTIMATE: The cost estimates for the placement of the log cabin are a function of the proposed site plan as provided by Schrickel, Rollins and Associates. The log cabin restoration costs were provided by the Southlake Historical Society and are based on initial estimates provided by Bill Marquis who performed the restoration of the log cabin in Euless. Total Estimate $90,486.88 Recommendations Placement of the cabin in Summit Park at the site depicted in the proposed site plan Identification and allocation of funding for the re-construction of the log cabin and the addition of site amenities as depicted Seek participation from the Southlake Historical Society and Cooper and Stebbins in the final design and re-construction Explore an expanded partnership with the Southlake Historical Society for the ongoing upkeep and maintenance Promote the Cabin’s historical significance to our community through written documents, on the City web-site and through programming opportunities Thank You The Cabin Committee appreciates the opportunity to serve our citizens and City Council through our review, research and development of this final report We wish to acknowledge the preceding efforts of previous Councils, the Southlake Historical Society, the Parks and Recreation Board and Leadership Southlake Class of 2003-2004. We are grateful to City Staff, especially Steve Polasek and Ken Baker for their untiring support and countless hours on this communities behalf We appreciate this Councils support and trust in our abilities and representation Honoring Our Past “ As families through out time have lived in their homes, they have always made room for memories of days gone by to sit among the possessions of today. This cabin is our memory of days gone by………may we always remember those who came before us to establish this community that we all call home. “