sr-032409-3aCity Council Meeting: March. 24, 2009
Agenda Item: ,~ ~+'}
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Director Planning and Community Development
Barbara Stinchfield, Director Community and Cultural Services
Lee Swain, Director of Public Works
Andy Agle, Director of Housing and Economic Development
Stephanie Negriff, Director, Big Blue Bus
Subject: Discussion of an interdepartmental recommendation that coordinates
planning, urban design and circulation improvements for the Downtown
Expo Light Rail Station and Civic Center CIP projects into an integrated
framework.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council support the interdepartmental approach and
provide direction on staff recommendations, including the studies as outlined herein and
presented at the Study Session.
Executive Summary
The future Exposition Light Rail line is an exciting opportunity for the City. The terminus
station in Downtown Santa Monica, located at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, will
increase pedestrian activity and change the pattern of bicycle, transit and vehicular
traffic in the downtown. The City can capitalize on this opportunity to transform
circulation patterns by integrating them with the Civic Center projects, shared parking,
joint uses, and downtown improvements. Recognizing the need to evaluate this area
comprehensively in order to maximize its potential and the interrelated projects within it,
the Directors have met regularly with the support of the City Manager and a staff
working group to integrate planning for the Downtown and Civic Center.
This report presents an interdepartmental approach that provides the City with an
opportunity to comprehensively address some, of the larger objectives identified by
Council:
• .Connecting the Civic Center and Downtown
• Creating a vibrant downtown LRT transit gateway
• Enhancing and expanding open space and park area
• Resolving circulation issues for pedestrians, bicycles, transit and other vehicles
• Addressing parking needs comprehensively, identifying shared use opportunities.
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The interdepartmental working group identified key issues for resolution:
• LRT Station Area and Pedestrian Facilities. Improve the pedestrian, bicycle,
transit, and vehicular facilities and. connections associated with the Light Rail
Station, and diverting potential congestion at the 4th and Colorado intersection,
• Palisades Garden Walk Park. Define parameters for Palisades Garden Walk that
relate surrounding public and private uses, event venues at the Civic Center, the
Pier, and Light Rail Station,
• Linkage across the I-10 Freeway. Address the barrier created by the I-10 freeway
and identifying means to build connections across it, improving the pedestrian
experience and connections,
• Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Joint Uses and Parkino. Capitalize on
shared parking opportunities including special event parking, and optimizing joint
use with Santa Monica High School (Samohi),
• Civic Auditorium. Integrate renovated Civic Auditorium into the surrounding uses,
and aligning it with the Community vision in Creative Capital
• CCSP Refinement. Link solutions to the Civic Center Specific Plan
Based on the group's analysis and input from transportation and planning professionals,
the following conceptual framework and preliminary concepts have been developed.
Following Council direction, additional technical studies will be performed to further
refine the concepts:
• Connect the. Light Rail Station, Downtown and the Civic Center districts
together with an enhanced pedestrian environment so they work together
cohesively. Create a pedestrian plaza at the transit station that is a focal point
and destination, and create urban design guidelines to complement and enliven
the plaza. Widen the sidewalks along Colorado to create a pedestrian boulevard
to the Pier, beach and Civic Center by removing one vehicle travel lane. Explore
opportunities to operate a trolley or shuttle from the transit station to the Pier.
Build key pathways and connections through to the Civic Center.
• Modify the circulation system with the infrastructure needed to move traffic,
buses, bicycles, and pedestrians. Evaluate the street grid, and explore the
creation of a new street from the westbound I-10 off-ramp to divert traffic away
from the 4th and Colorado intersection and to reduce conflicts with Big Blue Bus
on 4th Street. The street could connect to Main Street via a westbound bridge
over the freeway. It could also extend west to Ocean Avenue, with the flexibility
for temporary road closures between Main Street and Ocean Avenue for park
events. Any extension through the park needs to be fully evaluated to determine
its relationship to and impacts on park activities and character.
• Create additional park and open space by decking the I-10 freeway for all or a
part of the section from Ocean Avenue to 4th Street. Integrate enhanced
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Colorado Avenue streetscape as the northern edge of Palisades Garden Walk
(PGW). Create a pedestrian promenade/axis from 2"d Street across the deck and
into PGW. Explore the potential for joint development with Holiday Inn to create a
new lower building spanning the freeway and thus strengthening the connections
between the Civic Center, Palisades Park, the Pier and beach.
• Comprehensively evaluate parking .needs to maximize shared use by
considering peak demand days, times, and fluctuations caused by events and
seasons. Maximize the value of investment by looking for joint use opportunities
for special events, Samohi, the Civic Center Auditorium, and transit. Identify
pricing, shuttle and location strategies to minimize construction.
Comprehensively look at parking need for facilities/events to maximize shared
parking and avoid duplication of parking facilities.
• Enhance cultural facilities through joint use opportunities with Samohi and
Civic Center Auditorium. Consider the pedestrian and bicycle linkage. by
extending the Samohi proposed Michigan Avenue concourse from 7th Street to
Main Street. Consider the potential fora 7th Street bicycle and pedestrian bridge
over the freeway. Consider the potential for utilization of the Samohi
Amphitheater and Barnum Hall as community cultural venues.
The following graphic illustrates the key concepts:
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The next steps will be 1) complete an analysis of potential circulation options including a
new westbound roadway from 4th Street; 2) initiate the preparation of a comprehensive,
.area wide Parking Strategy that includes the analysis for shared parking between
downtown, the LRT, the Pier, the Civic Center, Civic Auditorium, special events and
Samohi; 3) complete a feasibility analysis for freeway decking, 4) identify the
appropriate specific joint use opportunities with Samohi, and 5) develop and initiate a
public outreach process. Staff estimates that the combined costs for the studies will be
approximately $350,000 which will be paid with funds allocated for Civic Center
planning and design.
On February 4, 2009, the process and concepts outlined in this report were presented
to the Planning Commission: The Planning Commissioners expressed their unanimous
support for pursuing the concepts with particular enthusiasm for freeway decking and
pedestrian enhancements on the Colorado Avenue segment from the LRT terminus to
the Pier. A presentation was made to the Recreation and Parks Commission on March
19, 2009 and their recommendations will be provided to the Council at the Study
Session. A crucial concurrent effort is to identify and initiate a community process to
consider these proposals and other options. Following the community process, staff will
return to Council with an integrated urban design concept and an identification of
individual CIP projects that may move forward on independent design tracks according
to the coordinated master schedule. This report presents a synopsis of the process for
identifying the issues, options and potential solutions.
Introduction
Recognizing the importance of coordinated planning, the Civic Center/Downtown
working group has been meeting since September 2008 to discuss ways to identify
overlap between project sites, recognize conflicts and opportunities, analyze potential
solutions, and to develop a master project sequence. Key participating departments
include the Big Blue Bus, Community and Cultural Services, Housing and Economic
Development, Public Works, and Planning and Community Development. The
interdepartmental working group identified the following key questions in regard to this
coordinated planning effort:
• LRT Station Area. How can the City capitalize on the LRT terminus station ih
Downtown and streamline transit connections?
• Pedestrian Facilities. What improvements are needed to create ahigh-quality
pedestrian experience to accommodate increased demand from the LRT station
site to downtown, Civic Center, the Pier and the Beach?
• Transit. Bicycle, and Vehicular Circulation. How should the transit, bicycle and
vehicular linkages around the station divert traffic at 4th Street and Colorado
Avenue and ensure capacity for increased Big Blue Bus connections along 4th
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Street?
• Second to Main Street Bridae. What are the alternatives to the proposed Second
to Main Street Bridge proposed in the CCSP given the conflicts with the
preservation of the heritage Moreton Bay Fig tree, the existing Main Street
Bridge, and required Holiday Inn land acquisition?
• Palisades Garden Walk Park. What parameters should guide the development of
this important community gathering place? How should the park relate to the
surrounding private and public uses, Palisades Park, the Pier and the Beach,
especially considering increasing demand for shared event parking?
• Santa Monica High School (Samohi) Joint Uses and Parking. How do we
optimize the joint-use potential of the Civic Center and Samohi? What are the
pedestrian and parking linkages to be incorporated into the Civic Center?
• Civic Auditorium. How do we reposition the Civic Auditorium to align with the
community's vision in Creative Capital? What is its relationship to the adjacent
open spaces and cultural facilities at Samohi? What other cultural facilities might
be added, and how should the Early Childhood Education Center be integrated
into the auditorium?
• Linkage across the I-10 Freeway. What options and implementation strategies
are available to deck the I-10 freeway?
• Pier Bridge. How should the Pier Bridge project be designed to accommodate the
increased pedestrian need?
• City Services Facility. What are the ways to more efficiently integrate City
services space into the area?
Based on the group's analysis and input from transportation and planning professionals,
the following conceptual framework and preliminary concepts have been developed.
Following Council direction, additional technical studies will be performed to further
refine the concepts:
• Connect the Light Rail Station, Downtown and the Civic Center districts
together with an enhanced pedestrian environment so that they work together
cohesively. Create a pedestrian plaza at the transit station that is a focal point
and destination, and create urban design guidelines to complement and enliven
the plaza. Widen the sidewalks alorig Colorado to create a pedestrian boulevard
to the Pier, beach and Civic Center by removing one vehicle travel lane. Explore
opportunities to operate a trolley or shuttle from the transit station to the Pier.
Build key pathways and connections through to the Civic Center.
• Modify the circulation system with the infrastructure needed to move traffic,
buses, bicycles, and pedestrians. Evaluate the street grid, and explore the
creation of a new street from the westbound I-10 off-ramp to divert traffic away
from the 4th and Colorado intersection and to reduce conflicts with Big Blue Bus
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along 4th Street. The street could connect to Main Street via a westbound bridge
over the freeway. It could also extend west to Ocean Avenue, with the flexibility
for temporary road closures between Main Street and Ocean Avenue for park
events. Any extension through the park needs to be fully evaluated to determine
its relationship to and impacts on park activities and character.
• Create additional park and open space by decking the I-10 freeway for all or
part of the section from Ocean Avenue to 4th Street: Integrate enhanced
Colorado Avenue streetscape as the northern edge of Palisades Garden Walk
(PGW). Create a pedestrian promenade/axis from 2"d Street across the deck and
into PGW. Explore the potential for joint development with Holiday Inn to create a
new lower building spanning the freeway and thus strengthening the connections
between the Civic Center, Palisades Park, the Pier and beach.
• Comprehensively evaluate parking needs to maximize shared use by
considering peak demand days, times, and fluctuations caused by events and
seasons. Maximize the value of investment by looking for joint use opportunities
for special events, Samohi, -the Civic Center Auditorium, and transit. Identify
pricing, shuttle and location strategies to minimize construction.
Comprehensively look at parking need for facilities/events to maximize shared
parking and avoid duplication of parking facilities.
• Enhance cultural facilities through joint use opportunities with Samohi and
Civic Center Auditorium. Consider the pedestrian and bicycle linkage by
extending the Michigan Avenue concourse from 7th Street to Main Street.
Consider the potential fora 7th Street bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the
freeway. Consider the potential for utilization of the Samohi Amphitheater and
Barnum Hall as community cultural venues.
Background
The Civic Center Specific Plan-was approved in June 2005 with the recognition that as
individual components became more defined the plan would require refinements. Since
the CCSP was approved, the Council has approved, acted on, or given staff specific
direction on a number of significant initiatives which are shaping the Downtown and the
Civic Center area. In chronological order, these key elements are:
• Remodel of Santa Monica Place -September 2007
• LUCE Strategy Framework -July 2008
• Shared Use Opportunities Study between Samohi and the Civic Auditorium
campuses -July 2008
• The Village Housing Development -June 2008
• New Event Policy -December 2008
The following two items are currently under review by the City Council:
• Alignment and station location for the Light Rail -Council Discussion February
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10, and formal action on March 3, 2009
• Remodel of Bloomingdales Department Store -Before Redevelopment Agency
March 24, 2009
Staff has begun the early planning phases on the following projects:
• Palisades Garden Walk
e Civic Center Auditorium
o Early Childhood Education Center
• Pier Bridge ReconstructionlRenovation
The interdepartmental working group identified the focus areas and individual projects in
the district. The focus areas are illustrated below:
Focus-Areas and ~nterfacelC>verlap Areas
Cnterfaee
4veriap
FOCUS AREAS
Downtown Intermodal Corridor
Santa Monica High School
Civic Auditorium
Palisades Garden Walk
Main Street Circulation
City Hall Expansion Site
Pier Bridge
Pier
The group worked together to identify where coordination could result in functional or
systemic benefits. The group then reviewed preliminary concepts, and participated in
brainstorming solutions. The initial recommendations are outlined in this report. The
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group will continue to refine concepts and conduct the necessary in-depth technical
analyses and community outreach.
Discussion
The Exposition LRT will reduce vehicular trips into the downtown, and provide
convenient and fast transit access for Santa Monica. More pedestrians and connecting
buses will be using the area roadways, and the following discussion provides insight
into how this may modify the downtown and Civic Center areas. These modifications
necessitate a reconsideration of some components of the Civic Center Specific Plan
and the southern portion of downtown. A strategic framework for integrating these
issues is presented, along with potential solutions. Staff is requesting authorization by
the City Council to conduct further analyses, and initiate a community process for this
effort.
Connecting Civic Center. Downtown and Light Rail
The Civic Center Specific Plan and LUCE Strategic Framework both outline goals to
Downtown. Connections
between the areas are
blocked by the I-10
freeway, but the Expo LRT
provides a catalyst for re-
imagining this relationship,
and an opportunity to
transform circulation
patterns to further
integrate the Civic Center
and Downtown through
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increased pedestrian connections, shared parking, and decking over portions of the
freeway. Pedestrian access and amenities are being considered throughout the area,
however, a key component is to link the LRT Station to the pier and beach through
improvements to Colorado Avenue as described below.
Pedestrian Increase -Passengers from the. Expo LRT, at the station and on adjacent
sidewalks, could number 1,600 to 4,800 per hour. Enhanced streetscape environments
and facilities are required to accommodate the pedestrian flow to connect to bus and
shuttle routes, the Downtown, the Civic Center, the Pier, Palisades Park and the beach.
The major pedestrian demand will occur at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Pedestrian
routes will be primarily along 4th Street, Colorado Avenue, and through Santa Monica
Place to the Promenade and Downtown.
Pedestrian Enhancements-Improving Colorado to the Santa Monica Pier- Initial design
concepts for the LRT Station envision a large plaza at 4th and Colorado. Macerich and
Bloomingdale's are in the process of designing a significant corner store entrance
across from the station with widened sidewalks and pedestrian oriented display
windows. The working group recommends creating a segment of Colorado Avenue that
is primarily a pedestrian promenade to the Santa Monica Pier. This would be done by
reducing the vehicular capacity from 4 to 3 lanes and widening the sidewalks on each
side by 8 feet. To coordinate this concept with the Pier Bridge Project (see Pier Bridge
Project description below) and the CCSP concept of pedestrian lihkage between
Palisades Park and the new Palisades Garden Walk, the concept includes significant
pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Colorado, Ocean Avenue and the Pier
Bridge. Enhancing these connections will not only improve the pedestrian experience
but provide opportunity for additional open space and/or public/private partnerships that
generate sales tax by capturing the business of the pedestrian shopper, potentially
offsetting the cost of the improvements.
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Reconfiguring the Circulation System
In addition to more pedestrians, the amount of bicycle and transit traffic will increase on
area streets when the Expo LRT opens. In order to function well for all modes, conflicts
need to be minimized. Automobiles and buses need to be redistributed to avoid the
Colorado Avenue and 4th Street intersection as well as the Colorado Avenue to Ocean
Avenue street segment. The conceptual solution proposed is to shift vehicles away from
the terminus station at the intersection of 4?" Street and Colorado Avenue by
reconnecting a portion of the street grid westbound from the 4th Street freeway off-ramp
to Main Street. The following background identifies the existing and anticipated traffic
conflicts, necessitating consideration of an alternative roadway.
Transit and Vehicle Interface- A major Big Blue Bus interface with the LRT stations will
take place on 4th Street, with bus stops located on both the east and west sides of the
street. Fourth Street currently has more bus trips than any other street in the City, and
service will be increased to accommodate the light rail passengers transferring to area
buses. The street also carries significant vehicle traffic, and is a key connection to the
eastbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp for the I-10 freeway. At peak times traffic.
current traffic flow can operate as low as 6 MPH, essentially walking pace. With the light
rail station in place additional pedestrian traffic and transit service will lead to further
congestion for all modes. A substantial effort is needed to avoid intersection failure at 4th
and Colorado, and shift vehicles away from this key pedestrian, bicycle and transit
interface location.
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Reconnect the Street Grid and Evaluate the Main Street
Bridge- The existing street pattern, in which the formal
street grid is interrupted, exacerbates circulation and
congestion issues by preventing smooth flow through the
Civic Center into the downtown. The CCSP addressed
the interruption of the street pattern through the addition
of Olympic Drive from Fourth Street to Ocean Avenue.
The CCSP plan also calls for a new bridge connecting
Main Street with Second Street. Initial investigation indicates that the construction of
the bridge as shown in the CCSP is challenged by the need to protect and allow for the
future growth of a Moreton Bay Fig Tree located on the south side of I-10, and potential
need for Holiday Inn site or air rights acquisition. Given the need to reconsider the
bridge identified in the CCSP, and the need to address the circulation issues outlined
above, the interdepartmental group investigated a range of possible solutions. The
group recommends exploring the continuation of the grid by creating an east-west street
segmerit from the 4th Street I-10 west-bound off-ramp directly to Main Street, through
the existing City Hall North parking lot. At Main Street, traffic could disperse to the north
and south. This street extension requires building a bridge over the freeway at 4th
Street in lieu of the bridge connecting 2"d Street to Main Street. The existing Main
Street to Colorado Avenue bridge could be rehabilitated for both auto and pedestrian
traffic with a focus on retaining its historic character. This recommendation preserves
options to both protect and celebrate the heritage tree and avoids conflicts with the
Holiday Inn property. The circulation study could also evaluate the potential benefits and
drawbacks to continuing one or two lanes of this new 4~h to Main Street extension
(Fujiamoya Douri Extension) through to Ocean Avenue. While this extension could
provide additional flexibility and traffic/circulation benefits, the character of Palisades
Garden Walk in the CCSP would transition from a strolling beach side "walk" to a more
formal urban garden. This concept would allow for closing the street for park uses
whenever necessary. An evaluation of extending a street through to Ocean Avenue
would focus on maintaining the character of the park.
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Creating Additional Park and Open Space -Decking the Freeway
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Palisades Garden Walk, and create a pedestrian promenade/axis from 2"d Street across
the deck, under the heritage tree, and into the new PGW. Freeway capping also
provides opportunities for additional "green" solutions to upgrade the tunnel technology
to filter freeway fumes, improving air quality in the Civic Center and high-school
environment.
The interdepartmental working group has also explored concepts that include joint
development opportunities created by the freeway decks. Options could include a
building site on the deck, or under the deck in the. freeway embankment areas, to
increase funding opportunities through public/private funding, and opportunities for
relocating the Holiday Inn and expanding city service areas.
To determine the feasibility of options for decking, bridging, and/or placing buildings
over the I-10 freeway, an interdepartmental team met with Caltrans representatives and
members of the development team for the Hollywood Freeway Cap Park. Both groups
encouraged the City to further explore all options. The next step would be a feasibility
study to analyze the opportunities presented by capping the freeway and to identify both
public and private funding sources. With City Council authorization of the Study Session
approach, an RFP will be sent out to initiate this study.
While the circulation improvements do not require freeway decking, the project area
would be greatly improved if the freeway could be decked from 4t" street to Ocean
Avenue.
Comprehensive Parkins Evaluation
The interdepartmental group considered four recent major initiatives impacting parking
demand in the study area
• Light Rail terminus in the downtown
• Parking for events at the 1550 lot and the Pier
• Continued build-out of the CCSP
• Completion of the downtown parking plan
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The City of Santa Monica must optimize the use of existing parking, and should ensure
that any new parking is strategically developed to serve multiple uses. The working
group recommends a comprehensive parking evaluation would support an extended
district including the Civic Center uses, Samohi, the downtown south of Arizona, and the
LRT terminus. The evaluation would incorporate the anticipated conversion of existing
surface parking lots in the Civic Center to open space and new uses, as proposed in
CCSP.
Creating a true shared use
district which balances parking
demand and economic return
requires an optimal mix of
investment in new parking,
coordinated management of
existing parking, and access
improvements.
Potential parking sites
Consideration of usage patterns by time of day, and day of the week are keys to
developing a shared parking strategy that maximizes use in relation to investment. PCD
staff has sent out an RFP for a parking consultant to analyze demand, identify capacity
and recommend locations and operations for a shared parking program.
Joint Use Opportunities with Santa Monica High School and Civic Center
A critical component of the Civic Auditorium District is the landmark Civic Auditorium.
Both the Civic Center Specific Plan (CCSP) and Creative Capital place a high priority on
renovation and upgrades to this historic structure. Creative Capital made it clear that
the use and programming of the Civic Auditorium should align with the community's
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vision, and the options for revenue generation and private partnerships need to be
weighed against an anticipated on-going public subsidy. A separate agenda item is
being presented at this meeting which requests authorization to seek qualifications from
firms interested in partnering with the City to ensure the Auditorium's renovation and
repositioning as a vital cultural hub with the Civic Center. Once the Auditorium
component is better understood, staff will be able to plan for additional cultural facilities
which will complement and complete cultural offerings in the Civic Center -and at
Samohi's Greek Theater and Barnum Hall. As the plans for the Civic Auditorium
progress it will be important to analyze scenarios for creating the most effective shared
parking district.
• The Shared Use .Opportunities Study between Samohi and the Civic Auditorium
campuses in conjunction with the High School master planning effort was
reviewed by the City Council in July 2008. In keeping with the LUCE goals of
supporting multi-modal transportation and improving pedestrian access city-wide,
one key element of the joint use proposal was to re-open Michigan Avenue as a
pedestrian and bicycle pathway through the Samohi campus, connecting through
the Civic Center to Main Street. Anticipating this connection and coordinating
uses through the Civic Auditorium and the High School cultural facilities of
Barnum Hall and the Greek Theater, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District is proposing a partnership between the City and the School District for the
purpose of funding a Civic Center Joint Use Project which also includes athletic
and shared parking facilities that can be used for faculty .and student use and
shared with these event venues. The School District has submitted a CIP request
for the Civic Center Joint Use Project on School District property which will be
considered by City Council as part of the Capital Improvement Program budget
discussion and the Redevelopment Agency priorities.
® 7t" Street Bridge and Michigan Avenue Connection -The LUCE proposes a
pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the I-10 freeway at 7th Street which would
further improve bike and pedestrian opportunities for high school students, and
reduce congestion. With the light rail terminus in downtown, this type of
connection expands the multi-modal transportation options to include rail.
e Proposed CCSP Rouridabout - In light of the Michigan Avenue connection and
the opportunities for rehabilitating the Civic Auditorium, the charette team
reviewed the locations and functionality of the roundabout proposed in the
CCSP. The team determined that the roundabout does not serve a circulation.
purpose. If the circle functions as an urban design focal point, the team
recommended that the location and character be re-evaluated as the surrounding
projects become more defined. In addition, there has been concern. about safety
issues if the traffic circle were installed as envisioned. Council deferred a
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definitive decision about the circle design until it could be reviewed in the larger
context of the entire Civic Center.
Concurrent Projects
There are a number of specific projects in the area which are currently in planning
stages. As each of these projects come before the City Council, the staff
recommendation will describe the project's integration into the Downtown and Civic
Center area. Concurrent projects which are included in the overall circulation and
parking strategy analyses include the following:
Pier Bridge Options -The Pier Bridge provides access to the Santa Monica Pier, a
landmark of international stature and a key destination point for future light rail patrons.
The Pier Bridge also provides primary access to businesses located on the pier. The
bridge is currently eligible for federal funding to improve bridge safety. The scope of
design work for the project includes widening and rehabilitation of the bridge to bring the
structure up to the current standards for both pedestrian and vehicle access. A draft
EIR was circulated and comments were received from the public and a number of City
Commissions. The overriding direction from the public was to create Pier access that
primarily served the pedestrian and bicyclists, and vehicles as a secondary
consideration. While the comments were being addressed Caltrans indicated that due to
the age and existing condition of the structure; a rehabilitation project may not be
eligible for federal funding whereas a complete replacement would be eligible. As a
replacement project was not previously considered in the project scope, the original
project description must be revised. This provides an opportunity to design the Pier
Bridge in light of the anticipated changes in the downtown circulation. Council review of
the options for Pier Bridge rehabilitation and replacement is scheduled for hearing this
spring.
Palisades Garden Walk -Palisades Garden Walk has long been considered a central
element of the Civic Center Area. In earlier planning stages, Main Street was re-aligned
on a diagonal to accommodate protecting the heritage Morton Bay Fig tree, and to
connect to 2"d Street, thus shifting the northern park boundary. In refining the plan to
accommodate LRT pedestrians and circulation, and also decking the freeway, the park
can be both increased in size and incorporated into the street grid. This both improves
access and provides the necessary parameters for initiating the park design.
Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC)-The CCSP calls for a childcare center with a
12,500 square-foot building and 7,500 square feet of outdoor play area. Santa Monica
College (SMC) has come forward to participate in the financing, design, construction
and operation of the ECEC as a laboratory and teaching program for its .Early Childhood
Education students. SMC included the ECEC. in its voter-approved 2004 bond measure
(Measure S). A private operator will be selected by SMC to operate the facility which
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will serve as a preschool for 100 children, including up to 24 spaces for infants and
toddlers. SMC Early Education Studies students will be able to participate in the
center's services, observe children and teachers in daily interactions, and attend
classes on site in a lecture hall. SMC and City staff have worked collaboratively to
begin planning for this new center. The City Council approved $1.1 million to assist in
the planning, design and development of the facility and the City has also secured
$500,000 contributions each from the RAND Corporation. and the Related Companies
toward design, construction, operation and/or maintenance of the ECEC. For its part,
SMC has secured bond financing in the amount of $7 million towards design and
construction costs. As was the case with the development of the Santa Monica Swim
Center, a formal agreement is needed between the City and SMC that sets out roles,
responsibilities, financing and operational details impacting the design, construction and
operation of the new facility. A separate agenda item is being considered this evening
that recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to initiate formal
negotiations geared towards producing an agreement whose terms can be brought to
both the City Council and College Board of Trustees for review and approval.
Conclusion
With Council's direction and support of the integrated interdepartmental approach, the
next steps would be to complete the key framework analyses (circulation and parking
strategy), and to develop and initiate a community process to consider the options.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to advance the following efforts:
• proceed with RFQ for Civic Auditorium use,
• proceed with the Comprehensive Shared Parking Strategy,
• initiate a community review and input process for projects to integrate multi-modal
circulation into the CCSP,
• continue to analyze circulation and potential street grid changes,
• reconsider the 2nd to Main Street Bridge,
• develop Colorado streetscape concepts to enhance pedestrian quality and capacity,
• complete a feasibility study for decking the I-10 freeway, considering Caltrans
requirements and private sector involvement opportunities,
• evaluate BBB and other transit service interface with the Light Rail station,
• analyze revision of the CCSP with respect to the appropriateness of the roundabout,
• study joint use opportunities for development of the LRT station area and pedestrian
plaza,
• authorize ECEC agreement negotiations, and
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Following the community process, staff will return to Council with an integrated urban
design concept and an identification of individual CIP projects that may move forward
on independent design tracks according to the coordinated master schedule.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
By 2009 year-end, the Redevelopment Agency (Agency) will need to adopt the next
Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY 2009-10 through FY 2013-14). All of the above-
mentioned projects may be eligible to be included as one or more of the Redevelopment
Agency funding priorities. As part of adoption of the Implementation Plan, the
Redevelopment Agency will consider other priorities and trade-offs among projects that
are eligible for redevelopment funding. In addition, staff is pursuing grant applications
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for the Civic Center Park (Palisades .Garden Walk) with the California Department of
Housing and Community Development under its Proposition 1C Infill Infrastructure
Grant Program and will identify the appropriate projects for which state or federal
funding can be pursued.
There is no immediate financial impact associated with the study session discussion.
Staff estimates approximately $350,000 will be needed for the parking study, framework
and freeway capping analyses, which would be funded through the existing CIP for
"Civic Center Planning and Design" (account #C170772). Council direction will allow
staff to appropriately analyze and cost estimate projects and prepare recommendations
for programs to be included as part of the Redevelopment Agency's 2009-10 through
2013-14 Implementation Plan, METRO Call for Projects, and the federal funding
associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Long-term funding for operations and maintenance will be required for many of the
proposed capital improvements, including public parks, public facilities and joint-use
facilities at Santa Monica High School. When the City Council considers capital funding
priorities, the City's ability to fund the operations and maintenance of capital
improvements will be a critical consideration at that time.
Prepared by: Sarah Lejeune, AICP, Principal Planner
Approved:
Teen Fogarty
Director, Planning and Com u
Development
Forwarded to Council:
~',GGr.~ LsJ
P. a ont Ewell
City Manager
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