HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.A.1. Aggregate Industries Quarry Presentation
/ s: A, J ~
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
From: Mark Themig, Facilities and Recreation Director
Meeting Date: December 16, 2003
Subject: Aggregate Industries Quarry Presentation
INTRODUCTION
John Davis of the Prior Lake Water Ski Association will be in attendance at Tuesday's
meeting to present a concept for developing a restored quarry in Shakopee. The quarry
is located just north of Hwy 169 and south of Raceway Parkway.
BACKGROUND
Aggregate Industries has restored a former gravel quarry on the eastern side of
Shakopee and is interested in donating the quarry to either the City or a non-profit. The
site includes approximately 60 acres of water on an approximately BO-acre site. Although
the quarry has been restored, there is some active use in both the northwest and
northeaster portions that would continue under Aggregate's ownership.
As some of you may recall, the Prior Lake Water Ski Association approached the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board in 2001 about using Lake O'Dowd Park for a practice
location. The park would provide spectator seating and a staging area for their
participants. The Advisory Board recommended against this use, but encouraged the
Association to approach some of the quarries in the area about use.
Prior Lake Water Ski Association made contacts with Aggregate Industries and entered
into an agreement for use of this quarry in 2003. Their lease has been extended for
2004, and as such, they are the primary stakeholder.
DISCUSSION
The Prior Lake Water Ski Association is looking for partners in developing the site since
their long-term use will primarily only be the water area. (There may be occasional use
of the land around the water for spectator seating.) There have been several meetings
with other potential partners in this project. These include:
. Excel Energy that operates a power generation facility between the site and Hwy
169 and has land that could be used for trails
. Outdoor Heritage Education Center that is developing plans for an education center
to the west of the site
. The DNR that has funding for a fishery or possibly even off-road vehicle training.
Prior Lake Water Ski Association would like to present a proposal to Aggregate
Industries on potential reuse of the site. One of the primary considerations in this
proposal is related to ownership of the land. As I understand, the Prior Lake Water Ski
Association would like to own the site, but is open to an alternative relationship, should
the City prefer to own the land.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board toured the site this fall and considered the
concept at their November 24th meeting. There seemed to be enthusiasm about the site,
potential partnerships, and benefits for residents of the City. Board Member Hartmann is
an employee of Bryan Rock and indicated that this seems like a great opportunity. The
Advisory Board recommended unanimously to Council that the City continue further
research and work on the concept.
At this point, there are likely more questions than answers, from access to ownership of
the site. Therefore, this presentation will be an introduction to the site and potential uses.
City Council is asked to provide direction to staff as to whether or not there interest in
further involvement from the City. If so, we will continue working with the Association and
other potential partners to develop a proposal.
REQUESTED ACTION
Council is asked to provide direction to staff as to whether or not there is interest in
future City involvement in this project.
Mark Themig
Facilities and Recreation Director
Quarry Lake Project
Situation
"Aggregate done using site as quarry, though
other industrial operations continue nearby
",Aggregate is open to sale/donation proposal
" Aggregate wantsto see integrated plan for
multiple Cdmplementaryuses of this resource,
without di?t\Jrbingthe business operations of the
nearby Industry
" Need to resolve pUblic access to Site
" PLWSA taking lead contacting potential partners
because of our interest in Site
Quarry LakeProject Quarry Lake Project
Situation PLWSA Use of Quarry Lake Site
,,/Increasingly difficult for ShoWalld competition dNew family-friendly Shakopee attraction
water-skiers to find quality places to ski on " Ski Shows open to public similar tdTommy
public lakes
" Lake O'Dowd example Bartlett in Wisconsin Dells
PLWSA needs Show Team .and competition " Competition practice site for members
practice site " Competition tournament site for members and
PLWSA/Aggregate sign license agreement for fans
use of former quarry on Aggregate property " Community activities
~ Ski lessons
~ Disabled skiing
3 G Safe boating lessons 6
"
20
~