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PAGE Department of Community Resources
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
Thru: Kathy Hodgson, Director
Department of Community Resources
From: NiZa Johnson, Manager
Heritage, Culture & the Arts Division
Date: February 12, 2000
Subject: Lakewood Heritage Center Master Plan Overview
Attached please find preliminary information on the Master Plan for the Lakewood
Heritage Center for your review. This brief outline will give you a quick reference
to the process, intention of purpose, and accomplishments to date of the Master
Plan.
During the presentation at the City Council Study Session on March 18, you will receive a full copy of the Master Plan and additional detailed information.
Please call me at 303-987-7874 if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Background
The Lakewood Heritage Center Master Plan was created after several years of planning, extensive public input and professional consultation. The process began with series of plans in the mid-1980's. The final successful Master Plan development began with a public survey in 1994 by RNL Associates. They sent surveys to 61,000 Lakewood households. The survey queried the use, type, focus, and amenities the community wanted at the Heritage Center. After 1,800 surveys were returned, research and data compilation completed, the master plan was written by city staff including members of the Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, Planning and Museum staff working with EDAW. The final plan was presented at a series of five public meetings in June and July 1995. The Master Plan was adopted in final form by City Council on June 24, 1996.
Master Plan
The Master Plan for the Lakewood Heritage Center, A 20th Century Museum document is focused in seven areas. These sections include the Executive Summary, Existing Facility Summary, Master Plan Detail, Relationship of Programming to Mission and Goals, Funding Strategies, Operations, Schedule for Implementation, Community Benefits and Attachments.
The Heritage Center's mission statement, vision statement, site goals, phases, and interpretative focus are clearly presented. Basically, the Master Plan outlines the creation of a museum site interpreting 20th Century local history for community benefit. Further the plan is a tool for establishing the Lakewood Heritage Center as the primary regional educational resource for the preservation and interpretation of 20th century history. In addition, the site is to function as the focal point for community festivals. This area will provide visitors with an enhanced sense of place, community and entertainment.
Accomplishments
Since the acceptance of the Master Plan, the city of Lakewood has accomplished several key areas of development at this site. The Festival Area was fundraised for, funded and built. This area opened to the public in spring, 2000. Since then, the Sounds Exciting summer concerts series has presented concerts to over 1,500 citizens and their families.
The moving and restoration of the historic Gil and Ethel's building has been completed. The building which features a 1950s variety store and a fully functional 1960s beauty parlor opened to the public in the summer of 2001.
Other buildings have been acquired for the site including a 1940s gas station. Additionally, negotiations are underway for a diner and a motel. A community-based group has formed to begin fundraising for the creation of a replica fire station.
Future Development
An integral part of the overall original plan, the Visitors Center fundraising, design and planning is now complete. This 1.9 million dollar project is schedule to break ground in October 2002 and open to the public in May 2003. The center will allow for core and changing exhibit space, educational classrooms, restrooms, and a store to help accommodate visitors. All these amenities were in the original 1994 site survey results as requested by the community.
Within the next five to ten years the site should be visually developed, buildings in place, and the visitor's center complete. Increased expected attendance should rise from the current 40,000 to 60,000 per year. This increase will mostly occur with school children, teachers and educators filling required curricular history standards.
Also, festival and special event use will increase based on appropriate development for the site. Currently the Old Glory Antiques Fair, Irish Fest, History Fair, Lakewood on Parade, Lakewood Pow Wow, Cider Days, Old Fashioned Halloween and Mayor's Tree Lighting occur at the Heritage Center.
Conclusion
The planning, development and focus of the Lakewood Heritage Center, a 20th
Century Museum has been community driven from the very beginning. The process
has clearly outlined a blueprint for a successful site, which will meet and
exceed the needs of the public. 20th Century history is a rare focus for museums
and exhibits and will allow for a unique opportunity to set Lakewood's community
history apart for other western cities. This site along with private funding
and city support will allow for the preservation of historic structures, artifacts
and community stories. The present will not be lost as the development of the
rest of the city moves forward. Each important element will be saved for the
enjoyment and pleasure of our community and visitors.