Title
Seeking robust community process and representative engagement for Phase II of Phalen Regional Park China Garden.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of St. Paul had entered into a development agreement with the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society on November 30, 2017, for Phase I of the Phalen Regional Park China Garden project; and
WHEREAS, Phase I of the Project was completed earlier this year in 2022 that included the Xiang Jian Pavilion, Hmong Heritage Wall, West Entrance Gate, and the 9 Art Stones at Phalen Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department and Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society began the community engagement process of Phase II of this project in October 2021 and has had seven meetings of the Design Advisory Committee (DAC); and and has before it a great opportunity to reconfigure, expand, and improve its development and community engagement process; and
WHEREAS, the DAC comprises of a diverse group of Saint Paul residents, both hmong and Chinese members of Asian-descent, and other individuals with a long-term commitment to the China Garden including members from the MN China Friendship Garden Society's Hmong Advisory Committee and Chinese Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, there are four major features that comprise Phase II: the Hmong Plaza, the Chinese Moon Bridge, the extension of the Xiang Jiang Pavilion garden, and a permanent donor wall; and
WHEREAS, the Hmong Plaza is the most significant and functionally most complex feature of Phase II and will require the most extensive input from the at-large Hmong community; and
WHEREAS, authentic engagement and contribution requires participation from community members and stakeholders from many backgrounds and many perspectives; and
WHEREAS, there remains a great opportunity to dissolve and reconfigure the Hmong Advisory Committee, expand the participation in the DAC, specifically in relation to the culturally significant design elements of the ...
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