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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE, THE MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES REGARDING THE LINCOLN PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to enter into a memorandum of agreement, substantially the same attached hereto as Exhibit A, with the National Parks Service, the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regarding improvements at Lincoln Park as part of the requirements of the section 106 review process.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the proper city officials to execute a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Parks Service (NPS), the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) in association with planned improvements at Lincoln Park as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The estimated $2.1 million Lincoln Park Improvement Project is a project of the St. Louis River Corridor Initiative to establish outdoor recreation destinations in western Duluth with financial support from a dedicated one half of one percent increment in the local tourism tax. Improvements at Lincoln Park slated for 2022-2023 construction include restoration of the historic stone pavilion, a new destination playground, a refurbished picnic shelter, vegetation restoration and landscaping, stormwater filtration, enhancement of a ballfield and sport court, new parking lots on the upper and lower terrace, and refurbishment of a portion of Lincoln Park Drive. The project will also include improved walkway circulation, lighting and new signage and wayfinding.
Federal funding for the project requires the City of Duluth to follow Section 106 procedures designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate any adverse effects of the project on historic properties. In consultation with SHPO, the City of Duluth Heritage Preservation Commission, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the City altered the project to avoid all but one adverse effect - the partial removal of a failing retaining wall.
As required by Section 106, NPS, SHPO, MN DNR and the City of Duluth wish to enter into an MOA specifying the actions the City will take to mitigate the adverse effect. Mitigation will include nomination of the park for placement on the National Register of Historic Places, development and implementation of a historic interpretation plan for the park and precise documentation of the historical characteristics of the park.