SR-303-005 (9)~~ . .
City Council Report
~ c~ty or
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: January 23, 2007
Agenda Item: '--~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Craig Perkins, Director - Environmental and Public Works Management
Subject: Professional Services Agreement for the Design of Reed Park
Improvements
Recommended Action
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with Katherine Spitz Associates for the
design of the Reed Park Improvements in an amount not to exceed $85,085.
Executive Summary
Reed Park occupies a city block and covers 5.3 acres. It is a very active Santa Monica
park, with Miles Playhouse, six lighted tennis courts, two heavily used basketball courts,
a children's play area, community meeting rooms which host the Senior Dining Program
among other activities and offices for the City's Child Care Recreation Enrichment
Sports Together and tennis programs. A complete renovation of the park was
concluded in 1995 and Miles Playhouse was reopened to the public after extensive
rehabilitation in 1998.
The Reed Park Improvements will focus on areas of the park that are currently
underutilized including the existing roque court (roque is an American variant of
1
croquet), shuffleboard and horseshoe area, as well as improvements to landscaped
areas between the tennis courts and Miles Playhouse and park frontage along Wilshire
Boulevard as well as Lincoln and 7t" Street. Expenses for the project include $450,000
in estimated construction costs, $85,085 for design, and $27,915 in contingency for
miscellaneous costs for an overall budget of $563,000.
Discussion
There are three areas of proposed improvements to Reed Park. The first consists of
removing the existing roque court, shuffleboard and horseshoe area to expand the
existing, intensively used playground area. When the park was renovated in 1995,
these uses were still in demand. Now, the roque court, shuffleboard and horseshoe
area is rarely used. This area would provide an additional 6,000 square feet for
incorporation of additional children's play equipment including but not limited to
basketball hoops sized for young children.
Second, the existing planting along the entire Wilshire Boulevard park edge including
the southeast and southwest corners will be replaced with a new planting scheme. The
new planting will be sustainable, drought-tolerant, and comprised of species that
discourage ingression. The planting will "wraparound" to 7t" Street and Lincoln
Boulevard, and new monument signage will be designed and installed at both corners.
The Parks & Recreation Master Plan recommends Reed Park landscape edge
improvements along Wilshire Boulevard, and Policy 9.2 of the Open Space Element
recommends expansion of landscaped areas to create an improved street appearance.
2
Finally, a new planting scheme will be proposed between Miles Playhouse and the
tennis courts. Improved lighting will be included.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
In September 2006, a Request for Proposals was issued for design services and five
responses were received. A selection committee consisting of staff from Community
and Cultural Services, Open Space Management and Civil Engineering and
Architecture reviewed the proposals. Two firms were short-listed and invited to make
individual presentations to the selection committee. Based upon the proposals,
qualifications and presentations, the selection committee recommends Katherine Spitz
Associates.
Katherine Spitz Associates has worked on many civic and institutional projects,
including projects for Los Angeles County, the State of California, and various cities
including Santa Monica. These projects include City Terrace Park in East Los Angeles,
Exposition Park, Marshall Primary Center for LAUSD, Manzanita Village at UCSB, Pico
Boulevard streetscape improvements and Ocean Park Parkways along Ocean Park
Boulevard in Santa Monica. They have had extensive experience with involving the
community in the design process.
Public Outreach
Three pubfic input and neighborhood meetings are planned as part of the design
process. Costs for these community meetings are included in the base bid.
3
Budqet/Financial Impact
Funds required
Contract $ 77,350
Contingency $ 7,735
Total required $ 85,085
Funds in the amount of $85,085 are available in account C010599.589000, "Reed Park
I mprovements".
Prepared by: Miriam Mulder, Architect
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
' i . ~~ ~ _
l ~~ ,~
L
Craig Perky~ s mont Ewel
Director - Environmental and Public y Manager
Works Management Department
4
e erence on rac
o. .