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City Council Meeting
December 9,1997
C~S 091997
Santa MOnica, CA
TO Mayor and City Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT Recommendation to Approve the Design of Additional Components of the
Beach Improvement Group (8 I G) Project the Veteran's Memonal In
Palisades Park and the Beach Trail (Blkepath) Expansion from the Santa
Monica Pier to Bay Street, and Appropnate $130,000 from the Beach Fund
for the Beach Trail Project
Introduction
ThiS report provides information about two additIonal components of the Beach
Improvement Group (B I G ) Project and requests City Council approval of the design and
location for the Veteran's Memonal In Palisades Park (as shown as Option C on
Attachment A) and an expanded beach blkepath and Improved pedestnan linkages, from
the Santa MOnica Pier to Bay Street (as shown as Attachment B) Approval of the design
of both of these components IS requested at thIS time so they may be Included In the
bidding and construction process for the BIG Project The report also requests the
Council appropnate $130,000 from the Beach Fund for the Beach Trail Project
Backaround
Veteran's Memonal
On June 17, 1997, the City CounCil approved the final design for the South Beach
Improvements and Phase II of Palisades Park Improvements ofthe BIG Project As part
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of the design for Palisades Park, Phase II, the landscape design firm of Wallace Roberts
& Todd had proposed the Installation of a Veteran's Memorial In the plaza Just north of the
Santa Monica Pier where the cannon IS located The proposed Veteran's Memorial was
presented to the City Council as part of the fmal design review After hearing public
comment, the City Council directed staff to seek greater Input from the veteran commumty
m refmmg the design for the memorial
As the first step m seeking broader Input about the Veteran's Memorial, the RecreatIon and
Parks Commission held a public hearing on July 17, 1997 for the purpose of hearing Ideas
about the purpose, design, and location of the memorial After hearing from ten people,
the CommissIon recommended that the City hold a design workshop and return to the
Commission after additional design work and public Input had been completed
The first of two deSign workshops was held on August 26, 1997 Over thirty people
attended and discussed general criteria for the Memorial The second deSIgn workshop
was held on October 9, 1997 With thirty people attending
Beach Trail (Blkepath) ExpanSion
In July, 1996, the CIty Council adopted a Resolution authOriZing the application for funds
under the Los Angeles County Trails AcqUISition and Development Competitive Grant
Program for the Santa Monica Beach Trail Project The funds were sought to address a
critical need Identified dunng the pubiC Input and review process for the BIG ProJect, and
through the extensive outreach program of the Open Space Element and Parks and
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Recreation Master Plan to reduce the use conflIcts (biking, skating, walking) and expand
the capacity of the beach bike path ( the Beach Trail) .
The project area IS the 1,1; mile segment of the Beach TraIl from the Santa MOnica Pier
south to Bay Street, adJacent to the BIG Project Improvements along the Promenade
The BIG Project funding did not Include Improvements to the blkepath or the Intersection
of the blkepath and the combined blkepathl pedestrian walkway to the south City limits
This segment of the path experiences IntenSive use by skaters as well as bikers, and also
by pedestrians coming from the Pier or from the pedestnan walkway to the south
RRM Design Group (RRM) was selected to prepare the concept design for the blkepath
expansion In addition to extensive experience In deslgnmg blkepaths throughout
California, RRM designed the Venice beachfront Improvements, including a proposed new
path and has first hand knowledge of the Issues In thiS heavily used area
A community workshop was held on Sunday, November 2, 1997 Fifty people stopped by
the tent In the 2030 Barnard Way beach lot to explore alternatives for expansion of the
blkepath (Widening or addmg a new path), and solutions for c1anfymg pathway connections
Although the project IS limited to the area between the Pier and Say Street, the workshop
also asked partiCipants to conSider Issues along the entire Santa MOnica blkepath for long-
range planning purposes and to Identify future projects and grant opportunities
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Discussion
Veteran's Memorial Deslcn
Based on public mput, the following summarizes the overall objectives, the sltmg criteria,
and the memorial design criteria
Objectives
A place of honor, reflection, and thanks
A memorial worthy of respect
Honor all veterans who served
Honor those that gave their lives and those who returned from battle
Symbolize peace and healing
Siting Criteria
VISible and engaging site
Accessible by bus routes and persons wIth disabilities
Protect eXisting trees
A contemplative site that engages the ocean
Locate m an active area of the park (Wilshire and south)
Design Criteria
Use the Original memOrial or elements of the original memOrial as appropriate
Consider stone and other permanent materials
Address safety and security
ConSider a time capsule with names of those who gave their lives updated
ProVide IIghtmg (eternal)
ConSider a flag pole
Based upon the above cnterla, Wallace Roberts & Todd conducted a deSign evaluation of
the orlgmal brick tn-pylon deSign with concrete supports and brass plaques that had been
on the Third Street Mall The deSign team determined that the mass and materials were
appropriate for the prevIous urban location, however, for a site In Palisades Park, they
suggested deSign modifications to better fit within the context of a park setting An
additional conSideration IS the need to redo most of the plaques so that the wording
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Includes both men and women, and all those who served
The design options, shown In this report as Attachment A, are summarized below along
with the comments heard at the workshop
Option A
o Three pylons of 8 foot tall rough stone, In a reddish or earth color Text
would be updated and carved onto a polished surface directly on stone
Lighting would be from up lights from the base
Comments Many attendees liked this alternative because of ItS traditional form,
however, most requested that the I;plaques" be replaced In a hOrizontal panel much
like the old deSIgn and that a flag pole be provided
OptIon B
o The form IS similar to Option A but materials changed from stone to trellis
work The plaques are replaced with Simple polished stainless steel panels
With updated wording and up-lighting
Comments Most of the attendees did not feel that thiS option was formal enough
or upermanent" In terms of a memorial and there was concern that maintenance of
the vines might be a problem
Option C
o SIX stone columns aligned along a path, symboliZing the five branches of the
service and the City'S dedication column Each would be engraved With text
and symbols The path would be In the alignment of the setting sun on
Veteran's Day - November 11
Comments Many attendees supported thIS Idea and were enthusiastic about
embraCing the symbolism of November 11 The deSigners were asked to look at
the shadows at the 11th hour as well, and to conSider alternating the columns on
both Sides of the path There was a request for a flag pole at either the beginning
or end of the path
The deSign team has surveyed Palisades Park In the area from Wilshire south to the Pier
bndge and has noted all eXisting monuments, trees, and planted areas They have
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Identified two sites that best fit the above sltmg criteria One Site, south of Broadway near
the shuffleboard courts, IS most appropriate for the "traditional" form memorial (Option A),
while the site near Arizona Street offers more open space and IS preferred for the "path"
form (Option C)
Followmg the workshop, the three deSIgn options were presented for comment to the
Recreation and Parks Commission on October 26, 1997 After public mput, the
Commission voted unanimously to support Option C at the Arizona Street location, With
further review and evaluation of materials The motion also noted that there IS diverSity of
opinion among Commission members regarding inclusIon of a flagpole
The deSign team has studied the comments and suggestIons regarding Option C The
color of the columns has been changed from black to a rough stone In rich earth tones and
lighting along the path has been added Alternating the columns to either side of the path
IS not recommended since the staggered line of shadow may not be strong enough to
create the dramatic effect of the linear columns
In addition to the meetings and workshops deSCribed above, the three Original deSign
options were displayed In the City Hall lobby dUring the week of October 20 The refined
OptIon C has been on display In the lobby for the week prior to thiS Council meeting While
Option C IS the preferred option for many commumty members, veterans, and the
Recreation and Parks Commission, there continue to be some veterans who prefer to see
the original memorial replicated There has been a concerted effort to hear from a broad
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group of people and bUild consensus about the purpose and design of the memorial
Staff recommends approval of Option C at the Anzona Street location, as Illustrated In
Attachment A ThiS deSign IS particularly appropnate to Palisades Park as Its meanmg IS
enhanced by Its settmg and It creates a place of honor In the City's most cherished park
Beach Trail (Blkepath) Exoanslon Desl<;m
Workshop participants Identified the follOWing areas along the beach trail as high priOrity
for future Improvements 2030 and 2600 beach parkmg lot crossings, the area between the
Pier and the 2030 beach lot and the north entrance to the Pier at the 1550 beach lot
SpecifiC Issues Within these areas were also noted The pnorlty lssues for Immediate
resolutIon Include redUCing trail congestion. separation of pedestrrans from bikes and
skaters, addreSSing the pedestrran/blke conflict at the 2030 parking lot, the need for a
pedestrran connection from the north and south Side of the Pier from the blkepath, and
addreSSing Width limitation at the brrdge over the Plco/Kenter storm drain
The deSign team presented draWings of potential Improvements to address a number of
the Issues Identified Participants were generally In agreement on three concepts
o Widen the trail to at least 20' from the Pier to Bay Street
o Create a pedestrran connection from the stairway on the south Side of the Pier,
just west of the blkepath, to the Muscle Beach playground area and Promenade
o Improve the pedestrran/blke traIl Intersection at Bay Street where the Promenade
mtersects the blkepath at the northwest corner of the 2030 lot
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Specific design concepts supported Include providing barriers to prevent pedestrians from
crossing the bike trail at problem locations, realignment of the pedestnan walk to create a
perpendicular crossing, pavement design or markings to dlstrngUlsh pedestrian areas from
the bike trail, and installing bollards along the border of the bike trail at pedestrian
crossings
A number of participants did not agree With several proposed elements Comments
mcluded minimizing sconng of concrete and not adding curves as a means to reduce
speeds since the negotiation of a curve at a pedestrian crossing was a safety concern
PartiCipants preferred a longer straight run for bikes and skates approaching the pedestrian
crossmg, and adding a "Iandmg area" to allow bikes to eXit Without excessive slOWing or
stopping on the trail
FollOWing the workshop, the design team refined the concept design based on the public
Input, diSCUSSions With the City Attorney and Risk Manager, and further analYSIS of costs
and englneenng Issues The recommended concept design was presented to and
endorsed by the Recreation and Parks CommiSSIon on November 20, 1997, and mcludes
the follOWing
A Widen the path from the eXlstmg 14' to 28', With a taper to 20' before the
bridge at the Plco/Kenter storm dram, and a taper at the Pier, With a future
plan for a second path under the Pier to the east of the eXisting path The
28' Width was recommended for construction effiCiency to ensure that the
jOint With the new section comes m the middle of the path and that each
dIrection IS of equal Width, and to proVide fleXibIlity for future expansion
However, there were concerns raised by the Recreation and Parks
Commission about the difficulty for pedestrians to cross such a Wide
expanse After further conSideration of the expected Increase In pedestrian
activity In thiS area follOWing the construction of the South Beach
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Improvements, staff IS recommending widening the path to 20' for the entire
stretch between the Pier and Bay Street This will require cutting out 4' of
the eXisting 14' path and adding 10'
B Realign the pedestrian walkway south of Bay Street to create a
perpendicular crossing With the bike path at the plaza at Bay Street Use
colored concrete, slgnage. and bollards to mark the bike path crossing As
a possible future project, conduct a test run for the design speed curves In
thiS area as an additional measure to reduce speed
C Provide a "landing" area and pedestnan crossIng at the intersection of the
the blkepath and the Muscle Beach playground area pathway, and add a
pedestrian walkway to the stairway on the south Side of the Pier
Upon approval of the Veteran's MemOrial and Beach Trail designs by the City CounCil,
staff Will seek formal approval from the State Recreation and Parks Department and the
Coastal CommiSSion The State Recreation and Parks and Coastal CommiSSion staffs
have reviewed the beach trail expansIon and have expressed support for the project Final
design Will be Incorporated In the BIG Project construction documents which are
expected to be out to bid In January, 1998 InclUSion of the beach trail expansion Will
assist In the construction staging for the South Beach Improvements since the expanded
portion of the bike path can serve as a temporary pedestrian path while the Beach
Promenade IS under construction In conSideration of the predicted severe winter storms,
the start of construction Will be delayed until the storm season has passed, construction
of Palisades Park, Phase illS expected to begin In Spring, 1998 With the South Beach
I mprovements scheduled after the end of the 1998 summer season
BudgetlFiscallmoact
Both of these projects are currently budgeted Funds In the amount of $20,000 are
available In Account 01-740-511-20096-8900-99651 for the Veteran's MemOrial The
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prelrmmary cost estimate for Optron C IS $40,000 It may be possible to IdentIfy additIonal
funds wlthm the total Palisades Park, Phase II budget depending upon the construction
bids received Staff may return to the CounCIl at the time of the award of the contract to
request additional appropriation Members of the veterans community have expressed
an mterest m seekmg donations of materials
The City was awarded a $280,000 grant from Los Angeles County for the Beach Trail
PrOject After design fees, $250,000 IS available In Account 20-740-511-20098-8900-
99667, and $20,000 In Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds have been
appropriated In Account 20-740-511-20098-8900-99668 An additional appropriation of
$130,000 from the Beach Fund to Account 11-740-511-20098-8900-99667 IS
recommended to fully fund the project design SuffiCient funds are avaIlable m the Beach
Fund balance
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council take the follOWing actions
1 Approve the Veteran's Memorial design Option C at Arizona Street, as
attached
2 Approve the concept design for the expanded beach (blkepath) trail and
Improved pedestrian linkages from the Santa Monica Pier to Say Street, as
attached, WIth reVISion desCribed above
3 Appropnate $130,000 from the Beach Fund to Account 11-740-511-20098-
8900-99667
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Prepared by
Attachments
Barbara StinchfIeld. Director
JudIth Meister, Beach Manager
Department of Commumty and Cultural Services
Craig Perkins, Director
Tony Antlch. City Engineer
David Bntton, Semor CIvil Engineer
Mark Cuneo, CIvil EngIneer
Department of Environmental & Public Works
A Veteran's Memorial Design Options
B Beach Trail Concept Design
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ATTACHMENT A
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* Form similar to orieinal memorial;
" Height of panels; 8 feet;
* Panels to be of rough granite with
polished panel of text;
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... Text of plaques to be updated and
included directly on stone;
* Could be uplit from base.
Plan View
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* Similiar in form to ol"ipnal with materiats
changed from brick to trellis work;
lit Height of panels: 8 feet;
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'" TrelUs can have vines growing on it,
making it more park-like;
'" Plaques are replaced with simple polished
Stainless plaques with updated wordinG;
* Could be uplit from base.
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Plan View
The sun sets at the end of the path
.... each November i1 th Veteran s Day
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'" Columns to be formed of warm, textured granite,
IS" square x S' high.
'" Columns and path align with setting sun on November
11th, Veteran's Day.
'" Granite bands set flush in path align to angle of shadow
at 11: 11 AI\rI, Veterans Day. The shadow cast by the
column will bisect the service branch's graphic
emblem inset at the top of the granite band.
'" A stainless steel ribbon will relect evening light drawing
the eye to the memorial and horizon beyond.
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'" Etched text will indicate branch of service represented
by column.
'" Columns will be uplit from base.
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Alternative 2 - Phase 1
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