HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/2001, COMM. 1 - FREMONT ENCAMPMENT MARKER, CORNER OF MILL AND OSOS STREETS r i1N _ AGENDA Cp►M iM,
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August 26, 2001 RNEY 13 POLICE CHF
❑ qEP H DS ❑ REC DIR
To: Council collea0 A ❑ UTIL DIR
From: Ken Schwartz C3HR DIR
Copies: Ken Hampian,MenGeorge, Mike McClusky and Charles Crotser
Re: Fremont Encampment Marker, Corner of Mill and Osos Streets
Ken Hampian has advised us all that there has been some delay in processing the
construction documents for the temporary transit improvements on Osos Street between
Palm and Mill(adjacent to City Hall). As you will recall,this project entails a major
revamping of the City Hall parking lot as the entry and exits that now exist off of Osos
need to be moved to Mill Street in order to make the bus parking arrangement operate
eljiciently.
The delay has been caused because the project architect, Charles Crotser,has been called
for Federal jury duty in Los Angeles and has not been able to devote full time to
complete processing of the documents.
why am I writing this"Commumcationr
Here's the reason. In the NW comer of our parking lot there exists in a small landscape
bed, a granite stone on which is mounted a bronze plaque commemorating the site as that
where General John C. Fremont and his corps encamped on their march south to claim
California for the U.S. If you haven't noticed it I can't blame you,but let me urge you
that the next time you are at City Hall to walk up the sidewalk to the comer and see it. I
think very few in the community(and in City Hall for that matter)even know it exists.
I happen to think that as a bit of our History,the commemoration of Fremont's stop in
SLO is important and that we should give this dull, lackluster marker some pizzazz and
now is the time to do it. This whole area is going to be tom up so let's revamp the comer
in which the marker sits and give it some prominence.
Today, I had a chance to meet with Charles and review the tentative plans. They are not
so far along that a few modifications of this corner could not be effected without delaying
the project. Presently,the documents show the current wall between the parking lot and
the sidewalk to be set back another 2'—3' from its present location. The wall will be tied
to the proposed new restroom and the landscaped area between the sidewalk and the wall
will provide the area needed to enhance the existing monument. The drawings also show
the granite marker to be moved slightly and turned 45 degrees.
While I am pleased with this, I think there is room for fiuther enhancement of this
historical place and for little extra cost. Charles and I sketched out some possibilities and
i
Page 2: Fremont Encampment Marker
I would like to urge the Council to direct the staff to work with the architect to modify the
plans to consider the following:
1. Construct a low-rise, say 3'—4', concave stonewall within the`!monument area"
facing,but inverse to the curve of the street comer.
2. Replace existing concrete sidewalk and parkway with a new hardscape material(s)
selected to provide color,texture and pattern that will tie the normal pedestrian
way into the monument area The remaining area for sofiscape(plantings)might
well be devoted to native plants—there is one known as Fremontia.
3. Consider the concave stonewall as a location for a public art project utilizing fiord
balances generated by public works projects that do not as yet have an identified
public art location. Specify that this public art project shall be in an art form that
will depict Fremont's exploits in this region. This might take on the form of a
series of bronze or ceramic or cast stone plaques. We will need help from the
County Historical Society in this.
4. Integrate the current marker into the plan,but not necessarily as the key center of
interest.
5. At the Mill street end of the stone wall, erect a flagpole(my preference would be
painted wood)on which we fly the Sonoma edition of the Bear flag—if I
remember my history, I believe this was the flag that Fremont carried It would
be a nice touch if we could light it from the base and let it fly 24 hours a day and
thus eliminate the need fDr daily raising and lowering.
I hope the Council and staff will agree to support these enhancements as part of the
reworking of the ' and parking lot reconfiguration project.