SR-303-009 (4)
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()CT 2 5 198B
California
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CM:KKS:bat(4) Santa Monica,
Council Meeting: October 25, 1988
TO:
Mayor and City Council
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FROM:
City staff
SUBJECT:
Recommendation to Authorize the city Manager
Negotiate and Execute a Contract with EDAW Inc.
Preparation of the Palisades Park Master Plan
Authorize the Necessary Appropriation of Funds.
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INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the firm of EDAW Inc. be
retained for the preparation of a master plan for Palisades Park.
BACKGROUND
Palisades Park is internationally known as one of the
world's most beautiful parks and is without a doubt Santa
Monica's foremost landmark. The Park was conceived at the turn
of the century in the classic European tradition with formal
gardens, rich vegetation, walkways and fountains.
The park's
appearance has suffered over the years because of its high level
of usage, erosion of the bluffs and general deterioration
associated with age. Accordingly, funds to develop a Master Plan
for restoration and improvements to the park were budgeted for
this fiscal year.
The Master Plan will include a program of phased planned
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improvements which are designed to be restorative in nature and
while not intended to make major changes in the style of the park
will explore: aesthetic treatment of the park edges, entries and
walkways; the placement of art and sculpture; signage and street
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furniture: park lighting: improvement to existing utilities;
reduced water usage: restoration of gardens: and development of
alternatives for greater use of the bluffs for nature study
trails and overlooks. Park user needs surveys and community
input will be utilized to identify opportunities and constraints
which will form the bases for evaluation of alternatives. An
analysis of erosion rates and alternatives for stabili~ation
along the bluffs as well as a detailed structural assessment of
the California Incline with recommendations for rehabilitative
work are also included.
Funds were included in the Fiscal Year 1988-89 Budget for
the preparation of the master plan for Palisades Park and the
bluffs in the amount of $90,000.
DISCUSSION
Request For Proposals and Review Process:
A Request for Proposals for the project was issued on August 22,
1988. Proposals were received from four firms: EDAW Inc., POD,
Inc., Campbell & Campbell, and Heimberger & Hirsch. An
interdepartmental team composed of the Director of cultural &
Recreational Services, the Director of Recreation & Parks, the
Director of Community & Economic Development, the City Engineer
and a Senior Management Analyst in the City Manager's office was
formed to review and evaluate the proposals.
The criteria used in evaluating the firms included:
experience, qualifications and level of commitment of the firm:
engineering and geotechnical strengths of the project team:
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vision for the park; level of detail of the scope of work and
products to be produced; and design capabilities.
Recommended Firm:
Based on two followup interviews and application of the
above criteria, the selection committee unanimously recoJtlInends
that EDAW be selected to prepare the master plan for Palisades
Park. Important factors in the selection of this firm were the
following:
1) By far, EDAW's proposal was the most thoughtful,
thorough and detailed in responding to the RFP.
2) The technical and design capabilities of the principals
of the proj ect team were fully documented by highly
favorable references and the complexi ty of previous
projects successfully completed. Examples of work
undertaken by the EDAW team include: preparation of the
master plan for the renovation of Descanso Gardens in
La Canada; the signer's Memorial project in
Washington, D. C. and the French Connection Pedestrian
Causeway at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World in
Florida. The firm has extensive experience with linear
landscape proj ects, pedestr ian promenades and
overlooks, as illustrated through their work on the Del
Mar Bluff Preserve, the Olmstead Walk at the National
Zoo, and the Grand canyon National Park Landscape
Program and Environmental Services project.
3) Commitment of three principals of the firm to all
aspects of the project throughout its term.
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4) The quality of the geotechnical/structural engineering
team of Moffit & Nichol, Engineers with the Mark Group
provides the City with the technical depth required to
properly address the structural integrity and slope
stability of the bluffs and make recommendations for
rehabilitating the California Incline.
S) The Master Plan will provide the city with plans which
will outline a capital improvement program enabling the
city to move to construction for many phases of Park
improvements. They will prepare schematic design
documents including a site plan for the entire park at
1" = 60' and detail plans of special improvement areas
at a 1" = 20' scale, along with detailed renderings.
Enlarged plans will be prepared for the Senior
Recreation Center, Camera Obscure, Shuffleboard Courts
and Inspiration Point.
6) The team demonstrated and references confirmed a high
degree of attention to and professional competence in
managing a community design process.
Scope of Services and Fee
The project team will provide architectural and engineering
services through all phases of the project including: mapping,
planning, design and report preparation. Activities include:
aerial and site analysis: use analysis: preparation of
topographic map; determination of erosion rates and assessment of
problem areas along the bluffs: and a structural analysis of the
California Incline. The team will prepare an opportunities and
constraint analysis; hold community input meetings: prepare
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alternative plans and remedial actions~ prepare schematic design
documents and a final summary report.
The proposed fee for the Master Plan is $166,000 including
all subcontracts, and special consultant reports such as aerial
photography, surveying and reimbursable expenses. The $76,000
increase in cost from the budget estimate is due to the inclusion
of a detailed evaluation of the bluffs including a structural
evaluation of the California Incline (estimated to cost $60,000)
and the preparation of an updated topographic map of the park and
the bluffs.
Project Schedule
upon approval of the recommendation herein, staff will
proceed to negotiate and execute a contract. The completion of
the master plan is planned to coincide with council consideration
of capital improvements for future fiscal years.
FINANCIAL AND BUDGETING IMPACT
Funds were included in the Fiscal year 1988-89 Budget for the
master plan and are available in capital account
#01-740-511-000-926. Additional funding in the amount of $76,000
is requested to be appropriated from General Fund Reserves to
this capital account for a total project commitment of $166,000.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the City council:
(l) Authorize the city Manager to negotiate and execute a
contract with EDAW Inc. to prepare a Master Plan for
Palisades Park, and
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(2) Appropriate funds in the amount of $76,000 from
General Fund reserves to capital improvement account
No. 01-740-511-000-926.
PREPARED BY: Desi Alvarez, City Engineer
Don Arnett, Director of Parks
Peggy Curran, Director of Community & Economic
Development
Barbara Moran, Director of Cultural & Recreation
Services
Kathryn Spellman, Senior Management Analyst
(DES1014)
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