SR-303-001-03-01
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INFORMATION
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Santa Monlca,~lifornia, June 6, 1980
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TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and Clty Council
C1ty Staff
Pocket Parks
Introduction
Th1S report presents possible pocket park sites, est1mated purchase prices, and
a priority llsting of these sites. It also presents funding sources.
Background.
On May 27 the City Council requested a list of land parcels which could be developed
as a Pocket Park system. The staff has completed an inventory of vacant land, and
has prepared a map showing all vacant parcels includlng the existing parks, schools
and other open space. ThlS map is available for Council reVlew in the Recreation
and Parks department offlce prior to the Council meeting and will be displayed
at the Coune,l meeting. Inqulry of the real estate communlty has ,ndicated an
average cost of S35 to $40 per square foot for R-l land and $35 to $50 per square
foot for R-2 - R-4 land. A prlce range of $10,000 to $250,000 can be cons1dered
as addit10nal costs for the acqulsition of improved land. In projecting the costs
of particular parcels the hlgher flgure has been used. The cost of speciflc
parcels would be determlned through an appraisal.
A park site may be acquired and developed at any given locat1on in the City. Staff
has attempted to ide~tify all vacant land through the weed abatement program, field
inspection and advanced plannlng data. Some parcels may have lnadvertently been
ommltted. if Council 1S aware of vacant land not shown it may be added to the map.
Staff has used the vacant land concept to reduce possible acquiSition costs. When
selecting the recommended parcels, staff attempted to open the apartment corrldor
and gain more open space north of Colorado Avenue. Most of the City's park space
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TO: Mayor and City ~ncil
Santa Monl~california, June 6, 1980
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is south of Colorado Avenue. Staff has, except in a few instances, used two or
more lots for these parcels.
Whlle considering this project the Alternative School slte at Seventeenth and
Colorado was discussed with the Santa Monica Unified School District. The District
is wl11ing to discuss purchase with the City. Also. consideration was given to the
parcel of land east of and adjacent to the southern portlon of Virginia Avenue
Park. Both of these properties are included for Council consideration as additions
to the entire park system.
Funding Sources
State offlcials have indicated that a general statement i.e. "Pocket Park System"
may be used by Council in its authorlzation to apply for funds resolution. Subsequent
specif1c ldentity of land parcels is necessary on the application for funds. The
C1ty may apply for all parcels determined to be suitable by Council in a single
application or the acquisit10n may be phased through separate annual applicat1ons.
The Clty will be required to guarantee the total amount for each application sub-
mitted. If accepted by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the projects would be
reimbursed up to 50%. The sources of funds for the acquisitlon are:
land and Water Conservation Funds
l'Berg State Grant Funds
Recreat10n Unit Tax of the City
General Fund
Recent Presidential decisions on balancing the Federal Budget have adversely affected
the land and Water Conservation funds. Those decisions have caused the delay of
currently approved (1979 - 19801 projects until the 1980-81 fiscal year. All new
projects would have to compete for any remaining funds after the State meets the
requests for projects approved in 1979-80. The State Urban Grant Program (Z'Berg)
SB 174 1S a block grant based upon a per capita formula and produces about $30s000
TO:
Mayor and City ~ncil
Santa Monic~ California, June 6, 1980
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annually for Santa Monica. The fallure of Proposition 1 has prevented any further
State ~ond Funds. The Recreatlon Unit Tax is intended for acquisitlon and development
and lS funded through a tax of $200 per unlt for apartment and condominium construction.
The unencumbered balance as of May 30, 1980 is $333,888.
The parcels of land considered for the entire park system:
1. Alternative School Slte
17th and Olympic Boulevard
113,800 square feet @ $50 per square foot
$ 5,690,000
2. 2201 Pica Boulevard
12,000 square feet @ $50 per square foot
Improvements estlmate
SUB TOTAL
600,000
75,000
6,365,000
Pocket Park Sites Estlmated Acquisition Costs
1. 1217 20th Street
15,000 square feet @ $50 per square foot
750,000
2. 924 - 928 20th Street
16,000 square feet @ S50 per square foot
800,000
3. 2421 - 39 34th Street
57,600 square feet @ $50 per square foot
2,880,000
4. 1011 10th Street
7,500 square feet @ $50 per square foot
350,000
5. 1232 - 42 Berkeley
27,200 square feet @ $50 per square foot
1,360,000
6. 100 Georglna
9,000 square feet @ $50 per square foot
450,000
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Mayor and Clty~nci1
Santa Moni4lt California, June 6, 1980
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7. 1034 Grant Street
7,500 square feet @ $35 per square foot
262,500
8. 820 18th Street
15,000 square feet @ $50 per square foot
750,000
9. 2700 Colorado Avenue (Trailer Park)
75,000 square feet @ $50 per square foot
3,750,000
10. 528 Ashland Avenue
11,000 square feet @ $40 per square foot
440,000
SUBTOTAL
GRAND TOTAL
11 ,792,500
18,171 ,500
Recap: Estimates
Pocket Park acquisitlon
Acres acquired
Cost per acre
Development Costs
Annual Malntenance Costs
$11 ,792,500
5. 1 6~
$ 2,289,244
$ 448,920
$ 33,720
Prepared by: Donald T. Arnett, Director
Recreation and Parks
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