SR-410-002 (3)
PCD:SF:AA: F:\PLAN\ADMIN\CIVCTR\ADJACENT\SMPCONAMEND(2).DOC
Council Meeting: November 13, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Contract for Master Planning for Santa Monica Place
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council: (1) authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a contract amendment with ROMA Design Group, in an amount not to exceed
$150,000, to provide master planning services for the Santa Monica Place property as part
of the update to the Civic Center Specific Plan, and (2) authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract with the Macerich Company for reimbursement of the
professional services costs associated with the Santa Monica Place master plan.
BACKGROUND
On January 23, 2001, the City Council established the Civic Center Working Group to guide
the development of and make final recommendations regarding the update of the Civic
Center Specific Plan. The Working Group has held many public workshop meetings over
the past several months, including a series of meetings focused on specific topics related to
the development of the Civic Center, a Community Planning Day where community
members considered alternatives and options for the area, and recent meetings focused on
evaluation of preferred options and a recommended land-use plan.
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DISCUSSION
During the planning for the Civic Center, one of the critical issues has been to create a
stronger link with the downtown community to the north. Options that have been explored
include decking over the freeway to create better physical connections between the two
areas and encouraging reuse of the Sears sites for mixed-use transit-based residential
development to create activity linkages between the two areas. An important principle has
been to consider options that allow for the linkages with the Downtown to be strengthened if
Santa Monica Place redevelops in the future.
The Macerich Company, owner and operator of Santa Monica Place, recently approached
the City about the possibility of redeveloping the enclosed shopping mall. This presents
opportunities to consider introducing mixed uses into the Santa Monica Place superblock
and enhancing the relationship between the Civic Center and Downtown. As the City is
presently planning the Civic Center within the framework of an established planning process
and an experienced consultant team (ROMA Design Group), and because Santa Monica
Place represents a significant element in the Downtown / Civic Center area, incorporating
the Santa Monica Place master planning into the Civic Center planning process provides a
unique opportunity for the City. The Macerich Company agrees with this approach. Under
the proposed arrangement, the Macerich Company would be responsible for the
professional services costs associated with the planning of Santa Monica Place.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
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The City’s costs for these professional services will be fully paid by the Macerich Company.
Funds from the applicant will be deposited into the General Trust and Agency Fund Account
Number 80.201172.
RECOMMENDATION
This report recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to contract with
ROMA Design Group, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, to provide master
planning services for the Santa Monica Place property as part of the update to the
Civic Center Specific Plan; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with the Macerich
Company for reimbursement of the professional services costs associated with the
Santa Monica Place master plan.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning and Community Development
Jeff Mathieu, Director, Resource Management
Andy Agle, Assistant Director, Planning and Community Development
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