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Council Meeting Presentation March 18, 2013 Environmental Education Center - Schenk Farm Background •
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Concept of developing a Environmental Education Center in West Windsor originated in 2005-2006 during development of Open Space Utilization Task Force Report and one the parcels identified for such a facility was the Zaitz Woods Nature Preserve on Southfield Road. Following development of this report a proposal for a residential development located on a parcel adjacent to the Zaitz Woods Nature Preserve came before the Planning Board. The Township subsequently approached the developer about making the Environmental Education Center a reality by either funding it or providing their sales building or a portion of their activity building for the center. Instead the developer of the "Renaissance" development (Centex Homes) agreed to contribute $1000 per market rate unit towards the construction of an environmental education center which was memorialized in the Township code as a zoning change under 200-194.1 Planned Residential Retirement Community PRRC-l C(l)(g} - 'The applicant shall provide a nature center of at least 2,725 square feet or make a contribution to the Township for such a center in West Windsor. The contribution shall be ;... the amount of $1,000 per market unit, payable on a pro rata basis at the time a certificate of occupancy is issued for each market unit." In 2011 $150,000.00 from the developer was received by the Townshic Z-,.,. the Environmental Commission was charged with implementing the project. The Commission subsequently solicited proposals from various consult that specialized in the creation of exhibits for museums, zoos, and aquariums Following interviews Redmond-Jones Associates was selected as the preferred consultant by the Environmental Commission Redmond Jones Associates then worked with the Environmental Commission to develop a Conceptual Design Document of the proposed exhibit identifying a theme, target audience and anticipated take home message. This was completed in March 2012.
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Provided for you are conceptual sketches from that document conveying ideas of what the exhibits may look like.
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If necessary, o the targeted audience is 4th graders as they currently tour the Schenk Farm as part of their school curriculum. The Environmental education exhibit will be designed to tie into their curriculum as well. Other vistitors will likely include scout groups, home schoolers, local residents and historic society event participants. o A portion of the exhibits will be related to farming and environmental aspects of that industry in an effort to transition the entire exhibit into the Schenk Farm o The Commission is also working with a Township resident, David Parris, who is currently the Curator of Natural History at the New Jersey State Museum in developing the exhibit.
Recent Activity •
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Due to the fact that Redmond-Jones Associates cannot complete the Design Development, Final Design and Fabrication and Installation the Commission needs to identify a new consultant to complete the project. The Commission revisited the original proposals and now recommends that the Township contract with Dambrova Designs to complete the project. Questions were raised at the most recent Council meeting regarding what work has been completed to date. The only work completed at this time is work related to the Conceptual Design Document and 35-40% of the Design Development Phase. Tasks remaining include Final design and fabrication and installation of the exhibits. BA may be able to explain this issue to Council
Moving Forward •
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Design Development Phase - already 35 - 40% completed by Redmond Jones Associates, tasks to include content and visitor experience will be fully defined Final Design - task to include design of each exhibit, floor plans, details lighting, etc. Fabrication and Installation - bidding out of fabrication of exhibits and production of graphics, management of installation of exhibits
s-4/~
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Council Meeting Presentation March 18, 2013 Environmental Education Center - Schenk Farm Background •
•
•
•
•
• •
Concept of developing a Environmental Education Center in West Windsor originated in 2005-2006 during development of Open Space Utilization Task Force Report and one the parcels identified for such a facility was the Zaitz Woods Nature Preserve on Southfield Road. Following development of this report a proposal for a residential development located on a parcel adjacent to the Zaitz Woods Nature Preserve came before the Planning Board. The Township subsequently approached the developer about making the Environmental Education Center a reality by either funding it or providing their sales building or a portion of their activity building for the center. Instead the developer of the "Renaissance" development (Centex Homes) agreed to contribute $1000 per market rate unit towards the construction of an environmental education center which was memorialized in the Township code as a zoning change under 200-194.1 Planned Residential Retirement Community PRRC-l C(l)(g} - 'The applicant shall provide a nature center of at least 2,725 square feet or make a contribution to the Township for such a center in West Windsor. The contribution shall be ;... the amount of $1,000 per market unit, payable on a pro rata basis at the time a certificate of occupancy is issued for each market unit." In 2011 $150,000.00 from the developer was received by the Townshic Z-,.,. the Environmental Commission was charged with implementing the project. The Commission subsequently solicited proposals from various consult that specialized in the creation of exhibits for museums, zoos, and aquariums Following interviews Redmond-Jones Associates was selected as the preferred consultant by the Environmental Commission Redmond Jones Associates then worked with the Environmental Commission to develop a Conceptual Design Document of the proposed exhibit identifying a theme, target audience and anticipated take home message. This was completed in March 2012.
t:7f~
•
Provided for you are conceptual sketches from that document conveying ideas of what the exhibits may look like.
•
If necessary, o the targeted audience is 4th graders as they currently tour the Schenk Farm as part of their school curriculum. The Environmental education exhibit will be designed to tie into their curriculum as well. Other vistitors will likely include scout groups, home schoolers, local residents and historic society event participants. o A portion of the exhibits will be related to farming and environmental aspects of that industry in an effort to transition the entire exhibit into the Schenk Farm o The Commission is also working with a Township resident, David Parris, who is currently the Curator of Natural History at the New Jersey State Museum in developing the exhibit.
Recent Activity •
• •
Due to the fact that Redmond-Jones Associates cannot complete the Design Development, Final Design and Fabrication and Installation the Commission needs to identify a new consultant to complete the project. The Commission revisited the original proposals and now recommends that the Township contract with Dambrova Designs to complete the project. Questions were raised at the most recent Council meeting regarding what work has been completed to date. The only work completed at this time is work related to the Conceptual Design Document and 35-40% of the Design Development Phase. Tasks remaining include Final design and fabrication and installation of the exhibits. BA may be able to explain this issue to Council
Moving Forward •
• •
Design Development Phase - already 35 - 40% completed by Redmond Jones Associates, tasks to include content and visitor experience will be fully defined Final Design - task to include design of each exhibit, floor plans, details lighting, etc. Fabrication and Installation - bidding out of fabrication of exhibits and production of graphics, management of installation of exhibits
