SR-10-B (2)
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lOB
MAY 1 ,:. 1981
Santa Monica, California, April 29, 1981
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Transmittal of Request from Fraternal Endeavors (FE)
Regarding a Multipurpose Facility in Joslyn Park
Introduction
This report transmits a request from Fraternal Endeavors (FE) to use previously
allocated 5165.000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the
construction of a multipurpose building in Joslyn Park.
Background
In January, 1980, City Council allocated 5165,000 in 1980-81 CDBG funds for
the acquisition of property in the Joslyn Park area (northeast Ocean Park) to
be converted and utilized by FE as a neighborhood center. The City was unable
to acquire the site originally identified, and in spite of continuing efforts
by FE and City staff, none of the properties investigated since have proved
suitable.
Discussion
In reviewing the available alternatives, which include continuing their search
for a separate facility or withdrawing their approved funding request, FE has
determined that their program objectives and the overall interests of the City
might best be served by the construction of a new building at Joslyn Park. A
copy of FE's alternative proposal submitted on April 9 is attached. The staff
finds substantial merit in this proposal which would result in the development of
an improved facility in an existing City park. The proposed facility could
accommodate a variety of uses, and could be an asset to the park for many years
to come. When the facility is constructed~ the department will be wIlling to co-
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/layor and City Counc i I
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operate with FE in scheduling the use of the building for total community
availability. Staff would be pleased to have FE work with them on the design.
At their April 16, 1981, meeting, the Recreation and Parks Commission considered
and approved the request submitted by FE and outlined above. The Commission
reco~mends the construction of a new bUilding rather than renovation of the
eXIsting lfgarage.fl
Alternatives
1. City Council may determine that the original proposal made by FE is not
feasible and elect to reprogram the $165,000 in CDBG funds, following the
required public hearing and citizen participation procedures and subject
to HUD app rova) .
Z. City Council may approve the revised request of FE and direct staff to
prepare plans for demolition of eXisting building and the constructIon of
a new Multipurpose facility of approximately 1800 sq. ft. at Joslyn Park
and to make the necessary adjustments to the current CDSG program.
Recommendation
City staff recommends that City Council approve Alternative 2 and direct staff
to prepare plans for a new multipurpose building at Joslyn Park and to make the
necessary adjustments to the current COBG program.
Prepared by. Don Arnett
John Herner
Nancy McFarland
NM:sh
Attachment
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ALTER~ATIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE FRATERNAL ENDEAVORS
MULTI PURPOSE CENTER
Introduction
In January, 1980, FRATERNAL E~DEAVORS was awarded the
sum of One Hundred Sixty-five Thousand Dollars, ($165,000.00)
under the HUD Community Block Grant Program, to found a multi-
purpose center in the Joselyn Park area. It was intended that
the monies be used to acquIre a site suitable for the programs
that were proposed to be effected.
Unfortunately, a site was not acquired despite attempts
to purchase property that was located within three (3) city
blocks of Joselyn Park.
Further efforts to acquire alternatlve sites became
stiffled as a result of the operatlon of the Santa Monica Rent
Control Ordinance. As the months passed, the real estate market
became too expensive to enter and the multi purpose center we
had envisioned was far from materializing.
A year has elapsed and we have yet to find a location
for the center. The needs of the community we had hoped to serve
remain unmet. The proposal we submit is directed to overcome
the problems we have had to endure to date.
Proposal
We propose to use the One Hundred SIxty-five Thousand
Dollars, ($165,000.00) to construct additional offlce and resource
rooms adjacent to the "garage" on Joselyn Park. This structure,
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which is presently used as an exerCIse room by the participants
~n the "Free Sweat" program, is located at the northwest corner
of the park. The building is old, but with the available funds,
it can be refurbished and made suitable for youth programs and
activit~es.
Our multiple goals at the center include providIng the
Joselyn Park neighborhood with Increased access to human services
for senior residents, youth, and the handicapped; to conduct
periodic neghborhood needs assessment; to offer a preventitive
approach to youth crime and inactivity; to foster community
participation and involvement through increased communicat~on
and awareness; and to provide a format for activities that foster
volunteerism among neighborhood residents.
These goals would be met through sen~or activities in
conjunction with the CYO at St. Annes Church; legal services
for the people in conjunction with Centro Legal of Santa ~onica;
recycling and reuse of resources through the initiation of regular
co1lect~on drIves carried on by the local youths and other resi-
dents.
In effect, the Park would serve as an assimilation center
while at the same time providing FE with an administrative
headquarters. Forthis purpose we would require at least 1000 sq.
feet of new construction. Approximately 500 sq. feet would be
used for office space. Partitions would provide flexibility of
use and as such they could serve as intake centers for programs
such as the Youth Counseling and the Legal AId Services.
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The remaInIng 500 sq. feet would be used as a resource
room for meetings and classroom instruction. Of course, it
would be open to the public and available when schedules permIt.
Ideally, the center would operate during regular park
hours so as to avoid any problems of overuse or lack of super-
vIsion. Our aIm IS to provide compatible use of park resources
and any conflict IS to be avoided with best efforts.
In summary, I believe the foregoing proposal would
serve the needs of the community, It would effectuate the
proposes for which the grant was awarded, and it would produce
capital improvement of a publicly owned asset which will
survive for years to come.
Respectfully submitted.
DATED: April 1 1981
GILBERT RODRIGUEZ
~r-> (i8 1
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~ ~~lber, BOar{!~IlJtred.to -
~ FRATERNAL ENDEAVORS
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Santa Non~ca, .orn~a, Ap:c~l 23, 1981
TO:
Mayor and City Councll
F Rm-l:
Honorable Recreatlo~ and Parks Comm~ss~on
SUBJECT:
Fraternal Endeavor's Request
The Recreat10n and Parks Cornmiss:Lon met 1n regular seSSlon on Aprl1 16, 1981. At th~s
Feetlng a dlScuss10n was held regard1ng F.E.'s request for a facil~ty to be built at
Joslyn Park uSlng CDBG funds.
i!rs. Verge moved to endorse the concept of constructing a new fac~llty at Joslyn Park
uS1ng CDBG funds 1n the amount of $165,000. The rnotlon was seconded by Mrs. Llbuser
and carrle~ ~~fu.lmously.
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Respectfully 5ubmltted,
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Donald T. Arnett, Secretary
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