SR-410-001 (24)
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OCT 2 7 1987
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ADDENDUM TO STAFF REPORT
Santa Monica, California
October 27, 1987
TO:
The Mayor and City Council
FROM:
city staff
SUBJECT: Board and commission comments regarding the Final Design
Plan for the Third street Mall and Downtown Assessment
District Improvement project
INTRODUCTION
This staff report provides comments given by the various city
boards and commissions regarding the Final Design Plan for the
Third street Mall and Downtown Assessment District Improvement
Project prepared by the project consultant, Rorna Design Group.
BACKGROUND
To obtain maximum input prior to presenting the final design plan_
to city Council, City staff and the design consultant scheduled
~he following public presentations and workshops:
Planning Commission
October 19, 1987
Architectural Review Board
October 211 1987
Third street Development
corporation
October 14,22, 1987
Each Board and Commission was asked to review and comment on the
Final Mall Design as presented by the Roma Design Group team.
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OCT 2 7 1987
DISCUSSION
The Architectural Review Board (ARB) meeting was held on October
21, 1987 at the Santa Monica Place community room. Few questions
were raised by the board members, although one in particular
focused on concerns regarding handicapped accessibility. This
question was addressed by the consultant, and satisfactorily
accepted by the board members. Overall, the ARB gave very
positive views toward the final design, expressing their
anticipation regarding the implementation of the project.
The Planning commission also had favorable comments regarding the
final design plan. The principal items conveyed by the Planning
Commission included a request that the Memorial flame at the
Wilshire Blvd. end be preserved, along with the recommendation
that the inclusion of art work be a part of the overall design. A
question pertaining to the potential conflict between pedestrians,
and vehicles was resolved through a discussion of the results of
the Mall traffic study prepared by Dick Kaku. In stating his
resul ts, Mr. Kaku assured the Commission of the safety factors
contained within the final design. other concerns of individual
Commission members which were addressed by the consultant,
included the potential increase for alley usage, details on the
area wide signage program, and the possibility of problems with
the designated outdoor dining zone.
Finally, working sessions were held with the Third street
Development Corporation (TSDC), on October 14, and October 22,
1987. During these TSDC presentations, City staff from the
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Community and Economic Development Department and the consultant
team from Roma Design Group, responded to numerous questions
presented by the board members.
The TSDC response to the final design plan was generally positive
and they conditionally approved the plan with an added motion
that the City council return the logo design for further review
by a special TSDC committee. The principal concern conveyed by
the board members regarding the logo design was that additional
time and expertise was required to develop what is to be the
major identification piece for all Mall activities in the future.
In particular, the board requested that the TSDC contract out for
additional graphic design services by either a firm or individual
who will work with the special committee to identify an
appropriate logo for the Mall.
The final recommendation by the TSDC Board was that the City
council approve the final design with the exception of the logo
design, which should be returned to the TSDC for further work and
refinement.
RECOMMENDATION
After incorporating recent comments on the Final Design Plan,
staff recommends that the City Council approve the Third street
Mall Final Design Plan with the exception of the logo design,
which will be returned to the Third street Development
Corporation for further work and refinement.
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Prepared by: Jeffrey P. Mathieu, Manager
Economic Development Division
Darrell J. George, Sr. Administrative Analyst
Economic Development Division
IItsm
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