This is a shared idea, for citizens of Marceline, and is NOT a proposal to the City (yet.)
Overview
The old Marceline Gazebo was torn down in 2024 due to safety concerns around its stability and wood-rot. The community in general would very much like a replacement to be built. This outline is a collection of ideas from various Marceline citizens on what would be a good replacement for the old gazebo.
The old gazebo was raised approximately 5 feet, likely for visibility, but with only steps leading up to the platform. The City’s insurance, and other State and Federal laws now require that public spaces be ADA compliant, which means steps alone are not sufficient.
Ripley Square already has a ‘band shell’ which is raised approximately 4 feet above the ground, and has been used for public events for many years (though it isn’t very ‘pretty’.)
This outline proposes that a new “Pavilion” be built in the center of Ripley Square, which could serve many purposes, and be utilized far more than the old gazebo.
Location / Size
The proposed location would be at the ‘center’ of Ripley Square, where the old fountain (now a round planter box) is currently located.
The size / diameter of the current old fountain/planter box is 18 feet in diameter. The sidewalk around the old fountain is 18 feet across. Increasing the size of the gazebo to 48 feet diameter, with a 6 foot wide sidewalk all the way around would create a larger, covered, outdoor space, with plenty of walking space around structure.
With this larger space:
- several non-permanent, commercial, outdoor round/rectangular picnic tables could be placed under the cover for visitors and families to picnic and enjoy the park;
- weddings and other special events could happen in the space;
- the City Market could have a ‘permanent’, public space that is highly visible, with good shade and access;
- the City Christmas tree (just like with the old gazebo) could be at the center during Christmas;
- and many other public uses;
- more space for outdoor weddings and other public ceremonies.
Even with a larger footprint, the ‘center’ of the park is still well-located, without being too close to the concession stand, and far enough away from the band shell, while still being very visible from all three sides of the park.
(The blue circle is the current fountain – 18 feet diameter. The green circle is the proposed size of a new gazebo/pavilion and surrounding sidewalk – 54 feet diameter.)
Design
- Rather than building a wooden structure, installing a metal ‘pavilion’ would add many years to the longevity of the project.
- Instead of a 4-foot rise, which brings ADA / ramp issues, a 2-3 foot rise would enough height increase to have presentations to people in the park be visible, while also keeping ADA ramps onto the raised platform short, less expensive, and less intrusive to the surrounding walkways.
- Building the rise out of concrete would increase the longevity and match with concrete ADA ramps.
- A visual design with large openings at each of the 6 sidewalks that lead to the center of the park would give a slight impression of a railroad ’round house’, which blends very well with the two locomotives and caboose in/near Ripley Square.
- On the outside edges, at ground-level, in front of the raised floor, for each ‘wall’, a ‘permanent’ planter could be installed with a commercial, automatic water system to feed volunteer-planted flowers in those planter boxes.
- A metal roof and other decorative accoutrements added to the structure would enhance its overall look, while keeping the main structure solid, stable, and simple to care for over several decades.
- Automatic nighttime LED lights (inside and outside) should help with vandalism, while also bringing ‘life’ and dimension to the park at night.
- The proposed design would be something similar to other gazebo / pavilion designs found at the links below:
- Seattle Pioneer Square Pergola – https://maps.app.goo.gl/DpcKyUCa5CL9hsA99
Construction
- IF building out of metal / steel (for longevity) is feasible, it would of course be good to contact Hurtt Fabrication to see if they can build (or design and build) something. Though they are community minded, metal work is more expensive than wood, and it can’t be expected that Hurtt gives a significant discount, just because they are in Marceline.
- Several permanent stanchion holes could be added to the very center and different areas in floor to hold the City Christmas tree, lecterns, maypoles, and other swappable items.
- There is currently at least one utility line running over that area. In years past, the City Manager said it’s within reason for the City to relocate the line out of the way.
Fundraising
It’s clear that Marceline does not have funds for a project like this, nor will it in the foreseeable future. Therefore, allowing Marceline nonprofits to raise the money and donate it to the City could fully cover, or drastically reduce the cost to the City.
- Several charities in town have expressed interest in raising funds for a new gazebo.
- Reaching out to Disney FANS and Disney-related companies, and other large businesses OUTSIDE of Marceline would likely draw a fair amount of interest and donations.
- State, Federal, and grants from other nonprofits would also greatly reduce the cost to the City of Marceline.
Long Term / Operational costs
Many people talk about public works projects, but they don’t think about the long-term maintenance costs and commitments to the City for such projects.
If this proposal was approved by the City, and the construction was metal, other than the required and regular inspections, the structure should have very little maintenance.
- Painting the structure as needed every X years should cost very little, as the only large areas would be the roof panels, which are usually not repainted, and usually only for aesthetics. After several years of repainting/painting over previous paint, abrasive blasting (soda / sand) would be needed before painting, but this is many years between blasting.
- Concrete repair/maintenance of the floor and ramps should be minimal over the years, and the City has crews and materials to do such repairs for the rest of town.
- Electrical costs for nighttime LEDs should be ‘minimal’, even if under-roof and exterior lights are used.
- Landscaping maintenance (for this exact space in the park,) is already minimal and could remain the same, as Marceline citizens have volunteered their time for several years to plant, weed, and water the fountain/planter twice a week during the summer. However, that volunteer labor is not guaranteed, so the planter boxes on each side of the gazebo would need regular attention for planting and weeding, which does incur costs. (The CIty already pays about $800 each year for the plants in the fountain/planter.)