Reuse Study Timeline
The following Work Plan was written by John Lauber on January 9, 2009, within the original proposal to the School Reuse Action Committee (SCHRAC):
"Once a contract is in place, the team will immediately begin gathering background information about the building and the community, will establish communications with local sponsors, and will begin to publicize the reuse study process. Specific work items during this phase:
Start up meeting. Team representatives will meet with local sponsors to discuss the study process, appoint a local liaison, describe information needs, present a preliminary list of interview categories, discuss logistical arrangements, review expectations, and gather architectural drawings and other materials. Meeting attendees will also have an opportunity to review the team’s quality control and media plans for the project.Assemble orientation packets, distribute to team. Meet with local press to discuss purpose of project.Establish a project web page, hosted by or linked to city/advocacy group."...completed March 27.
Project Start Up
Reuse Team Members & SCHRAC committee members met at KMtelcom at 9 am. After introductions, John Lauber reviewed project objectives and the team's approach.... (read more...)
...completed April 20.
Site Visit 1: Building & Site Assessment
"Once team members have had an opportunity to review background materials about the building, and the community, the principal investigator and historical architects will travel to Kasson to examine and document the condition of the school and its site. The principal investigator and architects will also begin preparations for a subsequent site visit by the full team. Tasks to be completed during this phase of the project include:
Reuse Team Members John Lauber, Steve Edwins, and Steve Wilmot toured the Kasson School to collect preliminary data on the historic structure. The team members explored the building from top to bottom documenting the roof and attic spaces all the way down to the boiler room... (read more...)
Building Evaluation
...completed May 13.
Team Work Session 1 took place on Wednesday 13 May at SMSQ headquarters in Northfield. The two Steves and John Lauber examined photos from the 20 April site visit, reviewed a draft of SMSQ’s written evaluation of the building and site (condition, structural system, character defining features); and discussed opportunities and challenges presented by physical features of the property. We also examined preliminary drawings that depict types of space within the building (classrooms, gym, cafeteria, circulation, restrooms, mechanical space, etc.) and figured total square footage, square footage by use, and the square footage of programmable versus support spaces. - submitted by John Lauber 5/22 - ALSO see Photos & Drawings page
Team Work Session 1
Upon conclusion of the building assessment, the architectural team will compile raw information into a presentation that will be posted on website, used to orient team members, and used as a basis for discussion at public meetings. The team will also prepare display boards to be used during interviews and public meetings.
Preparation for Site Visit 2
Site Visit 2: Interviews, Community Workshop, Team Work Session
...completed June 10-12.
Once the evaluation of the building and site has been completed and reviewed, the entire reuse team will travel to Kasson to engage members of the community in a very intensive and intentional information-gathering session that takes place over three very busy days. The team will gather information in two ways: by conducting a series of confidential 30-45 minute interviews with individuals or groups representing specific topical areas; and also through a hands-on community workshop during which residents will have an opportunity not only to share their ideas and aspirations for the future of the school site, but also to have their ideas translated into visual form with the help of the team. Although the specific schedule will be developed by the principal investigator in collaboration with the local liaison, the site visit may be arranged something like this:
Wednesday June 10 was a day of orientation and listening for the team. After touring the building and the community with SCHRAC chair John Buckingham and Mayor Tim Tjosaas, we sat down to several interviews with individuals, culminating with a creative meeting later in the day with the Library Board. Folks that we interacted with on Wednesday: Diane O'Brien - Berge, Lynn Sturgis, Matt Nelson, Michael Martin, Tim Tjosaas, Steve Wilmot, John Buckingham, Donald Ness, Cathy Pletta, Janice Bergstrom Durst, Chris McKern, Mike Langan, Renee Solberg, Cindy Cassem, Nicole Perez, Thomas E. Ferris, Bonnie Erpelding...and the Library Board (pictured below: Bonnie Adams, Earlene King, Bonnie Adams, Lois Gardner). Later on we debriefed with SCHRAC - submittted by P.Musty 6/10
Thursday June 11 ... as SCHRAC prepared for the community exchange at 7pm, the team had a day filled with individual interviews, beginning with Christine Wood...then on to Folmer Carlson, Heidi Alberts, Nicole Bjerke, Dan Blaisdell, Matt Bradford, Todd Nelson, Tim Tjosaas, Melissa Montour, Duane Burton, Phil Johnson, Don Marti, Steve Johnson, Steve Dean, Harry Coleman, Sheldon Torkelson, Mike Marti, Lynn Sturgis...and Erin Hanafin Berg form the Preservation Alliance of MN joined us late in the day. - submittted by P.Musty 6/11
Day 1, Wed 6/10: Orientation
S School district officials, City Officials, Preservationists
Day 2, Thu 6/11: Political, community, neighborhood issues; potential tenants
The team will conduct a series of interviews intended to shed light on area economic conditions, development trends, unmet needs, and regional incentive programs. Interviewees may include: Planning Commission members, Library Board Members, Representatives of non-profit organizations (arts, social service providers, clergy), Community college, alternative or charter school administrators, Neighbors and age group representatives (high school students; seniors)
7:00 - 9:00 pm at Kasson-Mantorville High School CITIZENS: Thanks for Attending!
Community Participation Workshop
During the evening, the team will facilitate a community meeting intended to capture the ideas and imagination of members of the general public. The team will briefly review the purpose of the study, will review the findings of the condition assessment, using display boards prepared after Site Visit 1, will briefly outline issue areas that have been defined during the interview process, and will then guide participants though an interactive exercise that will enable them to share ideas, set priorities, and see the possibilities for reuse/redevelopment of the school and site.
Friday June 12 ... we began the day debriefing with Mike Martin. Interviews after that: Larry Kirkland, Jeff Allman, John Olive, Dave McKnight, Klaus Alberts, Lyle Tjosaas, Steve Breza, Randy Lenth, and concluded with a team work session and a team briefing with SCHRAC - submittted by P.Musty 6/12
Day 3, Friday 6/12: Economic, real estate, and financial issues
On the final day of the site visit, Tom Nordyke will join the team to help assess the state of the local economy, the real estate development climate, and the potential for financing a rehabilitation project. Interviewees may include: Real estate sales professionals, Leasing and property management professionals, Representatives of charitable foundations, Bankers, Investors, State legislator, EDA officials from Kasson and surrounding area (incentive programs), Local business people (retail, service, industrial, Chamber of Commerce), Representatives of major area employers (Mayo Clinic, etc.), Regional development authority staff.
...completed.
Thursday August 27... Steve Edwins, Steve Wilmot, John Lauber, Pete Musty and Elissa Brown (Intern for SMSQ) met to discuss site capacity & reuse feasibility issues at SMSQ offices in Northfield. - submittted by P.Musty 8/28
Prepare and Present the Draft Report
Architectural and Economic Analysis
Shortly after the conclusion of the second site visit, the team will meet to review issues, discuss alternatives for disposition and reuse of the building, and formulate its recommendations. Once recommended alternatives have been selected, the team will: Prepare sketch plans if necessary, prepare rough cost projections for recommended alternatives, discuss ownership and management models, identify sources of funding (rental income, tax incentives, grants, bonding, revolving loans, TIF, that may be applied to the project), prepare pro-formas.
Compile Draft Report, submit to study sponsors and team members for review
...submitted.
At the conclusion of the review period, comments from the study sponsors and members of the public will be integrated into a final report narrative. Team members will prepare final versions of illustrations and supporting materials, and both electronic and hard copies of the report will be produced. Once the report has been revised and printed, members of the reuse team will return to Kasson to present its final recommendations and answer questions from members of the public. Hard and electronic copies of the report will be distributed to stakeholders as specified in the project RFP, and the report will be posted on the project website.
The principal investigator will compile a draft narrative report using information provided by team members. The draft will include illustrations, drawings, tables and other material provided by team members.
Present Final Report
Present Draft Report
The team will meet with the study sponsors, members of SCHRAC, and the public, if desired, to review preliminary findings and recommendations, and to solicit comments. The draft report will also be posted on the project website and a mechanism will be provided for community members to submit comments. The community will have two weeks to submit comments.
