sr-011910-1q~r City Council and
~~tY ~~ Redevelopment Agency Report
Santa Monica
City Council and Redevelopment Agency Meeting: January, 2010
Agenda Item: ~Q
To: Mayor and City Council
Chairperson and Redevelopment Agency
From: Eileen P. Fogarty, Department Director
Subject: Authorization of Phased Contracts with AECOM for the Downtown/Civic
Center Freeway Capping & Bridging Project and for City and Agency to
enter into a Reimbursement Agreement
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Couhcil authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute phased contracts with AECOM for a total amount not to exceed $3,156,508 for
preparation of a full feasibility. study for phased freeway capping from Ocean Avenue to
4th Street over the I-10 freeway, and development of concept alternatives for two
segments and, dependent on Council direction in the spring, preparation of schematic
design and the required Caltrans Advanced Planning Report, cost estimates,
environmental review, and Caltrans entitlements for the two segments: the McClure
Tunnel and Fujinomiya Douri Drive extensions. The approval will include a 10%
contingency.
Staff recommends that the City Council and Redevelopment Agency authorize the City
Manager and Executive Director to execute a Reimbursement Agreement between the
City and the Redevelopment Agency for costs associated with the scope of work
described above.
Executive Summary
Council has directed staff to undertake an integrated planning approach in the
Downtown and Civic Center to join together several key projects that will create better
multi-modal connections between Downtown, the Civic Center and the Exposition Light
Rail Terminus. The freeway capping feasibility study, including engineering and
constructability analysis, will be a valuable tool in this effort, providing critical information
to enable the Council to prioritize planning efforts and utilize Redevelopment Agency
(RDA) funding most effectively. Feasibility analysis for the full freeway cap and funding
for the two segments were included in the RDA funding priorities last May.
On October 2, 2009, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to select a consultant
team to examine the feasibility and estimated cost of capping the freeway between 4tn
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Street and the McClure Tunnel (Ocean Avenue) in phases. The consultant will also
prepare schematic design, cost estimates, technical reports; environmental analysis
and, potentially, Caltrans entitlements for two segments for which the Council has set
aside redevelopment funding (the McClure Tunnel and Fujinomiya Douri Drive (FDD)
Extensions).
Five proposals were received, and the top three were interviewed by an
interdepartmental team. Staff recommends AECOM, a Los Angeles-based urban
design and engineering firm, based on the team's wide-ranging urban design portfolio,
strong engineering capabilities and extensive experience working with Caltrans projects
and processes.
The phased approach covers project initiation through completion of the Caltrans
entitlement process, subject to Council decisions at critical junctures. The first contract
($893,738) includes the planning, concept design, cost estimates and preliminary
constructability review and, following Council concept approval, preparation of
schematic design and Advance Planning Reports (APR) for the McClure Tunnel and
FDD Extensions. Caltrans requires this preliminary analysis prior to consideration of a
project on their right-of-way. The second contract (not to exceed $2,262,770), which
would be entered into after Council approval to proceed after review of the APRs, would
allow AECOM to prepare the engineering drawings for one or both of the two segments
and prepare the necessary environmental and entitlement documents, potentially a
three year process.
Funding in the amount of $3,472,158 (which includes a 10% contingency) is available in
three Capital Improvement accounts: # C170772 (Civic Center Planning & Design),
#C172073 (Expo Green Streets) and #C172072 (Freeway Capping). The project is
consistent with the Agency's Five-Year Implementation Plan and the Earthquake
Recovery Redevelopment Project Area Plan and the recommendation includes a
Reimbursement Agreement between the Council and the RDA for the costs of this
project.
Background
At the March 24, 2009 City Council meeting, the Council discussed the concept of
capping the freeway in the context of better connecting the Civic Center and Downtown,
recognizing this connection as critical to the integration of the Expo LRT terminus
station, the Downtown and the Civic Center areas, as envisioned in the Land Use and
Circulation Element (LUCE). A comprehensive planning approach will create better
multi-modal connections in this area. The feasibility assessment will provide information
needed to evaluate different options in relation to costs, phasing practicality, and the
appropriate steps toward longer term investment opportunities. Capping the freeway
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was identified as a priority, and at the May 11, 2009 meeting, the Council allocated a
portion of the redevelopment funds for two potential segments:
1) McClure Tunnel Extension: To provide an adequate pedestrian entry from Ocean
Avenue into Palisades Garden Walk, the design of which will be initiated in mid-
2010. and
2) Fujinomiya Douri Drive (FDD) Extension: A bridge or partial deck extending the
4th Street 1-10 off-ramp to Main Street via Fujinomiya Douri Drive as part of a
congestion management strategy to redirect the flow of traffic away from the
intersection of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, where the Expo Light Rail will
terminate and significant pedestrian activity is anticipated.
The inter-departmental Civic Center Team has developed timelines to move projects
forward to prepare effectively for the arrival of the Expo LRT and to interface with the
approved Village Project and Palisades Garden Walk park project. The Freeway
Capping Feasibility Study and development of the two initial phases were identified as
necessary within the early stages of this timeline.
The Feasibility Study for phased freeway capping and bridging project will present the
City with options for connecting the Civic Center and Downtown over the freeway in new
ways, along with cost estimates and a phasing plan to frame the decision-making
process. This information will also be important in future potential development
discussions with freeway-adjacent property owners such as the Holiday Inn or Sears.
Discussion
Consultant Selection
An RFP was released on October 2, 2009, and five teams led by the following firms
submitted proposals: AECOM, Buro-Happold, Ch2MHill, Kimley-Horn, and ROMA. Each
interdisciplinary team included engineers, urban designers, landscape architects,
transportation engineers, public outreach consultants and other specialties. An inter-
departmental team, led by PCD staff and including Public Works and Community &
Cultural Services staff, with participation by Caltrans staff, reviewed the proposals and
interviewed the top three teams (AECOM, Ch2MHill and Kimley-Horn) on November 19,
2009. Additional discussions and reference checks followed, and staff recommends
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AECOM as the most qualified firm to undertake this project. AECOM is recommended
based on the team's demonstrated project management skills, experience with similar
projects, extensive urban design qualifications, understanding of the project's
complexities, engineering project experience, and Caltrans process experience. The
lead members of the AECOM team were involved in both the Hollywood Freeway Cap
Park Feasibility Study and Park 101 Planning Feasibility Study (conducted as EDAW,
which is now part of AECOM). Los Angeles City and Community Redevelopment staff,
as well as Caltrans staff, praised their creativity, teamwork and community outreach
skills, as well as their ability to find innovative urban design and engineering solutions
acceptable to Caltrans to implement the community's vision. The team's Urban Design
lead also has had extensive experience both nationally and internationally on large and
medium-scale public development projects.
In order to expedite the Caltrans review process, which can take up to three years, staff
seeks authorization to execute phased contracts with AECOM for the work involved in
this project. The first contract, for the feasibility study and for the planning and design
analysis required by Caltrans in order to be accepted for consideration as a project, is
recommended to be based on a fixed fee ($893,738), and will cover the scope of work
from inception through completion of the feasibility study and Advanced Planning
Reports (APR) for the two segments. When this process has been completed, staff will
return to Council for authorization to proceed with environmental review and Caltrans
entitlements, and a contract in an amount not to exceed $2,262,770 will be formulated
for the remainder of the project.
Public Outreach
Following contract approval, City staff and AECOM will work to maintain an aggressive
schedule, and it is anticipated that concept alternatives will be discussed at a
community workshop within the first 60-90 days of the contract. The alternatives, along
with a recommendation, will then be presented to relevant City commissions and the
City Council.
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Redevelopment Considerations
The Agency's funding for this project is consistent with the Agency's Five-Year
Implementation Plan and the Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project Area Plan.
The Agency's $3,472,158 contribution will be made through an advance of City funds to
be reimbursed by the Redevelopment Agency through available tax increment
revenues. The Reimbursement Agreement will formalize the loan between the City and
the Agency for the proposed feasibility study and designs, and provide for the Agency's
funding of those costs.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funding in the amount of $3,472,158 is available in Account numbers #C170772 (Civic
Center Planning & Design); Acct. #C172073 (Expo Green Streets); and Freeway
Capping Acct #C172072. Funding for the initial contract, in the amount of $983,112
(including a 10% contingency), is available in #C170772.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Bar-EI, AICP, Senior Planner
Approved:
to Council:
Ejt~eri P. Fogarta/
erector, Plann' g omi
Development Department
. L ont Ewell
'y Manager
5
JAN 19 2010
Sonia Ramos
From: Mathew Millen [matmillen@msn.com]
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 8:50 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Reject Item 1-O on 1/19 Agenda
To All Council Members....Bob Holbrook told me a few months ago the expansion of Memorial Park onto
the former Fisher Lumber site is "on hold" due. to LACK OF FUNDS. I therefore am OPPOSED to spending
over 3 million dollars for a study to build over the SM Freeway, when 1) the Fisher Lumber building could
be subject to "adaptive reuse" as a library. for the Pico Neighborhood (putting the library on Pico Blvd.
across the Street from Sunset Park is a bad idea-Colorado Ave is in the MIDDLE of the Pico Neighborhood)
and 2) 3 million could be used for badly needed park-space due to the over concentration of low income
housing in the pico neighborhood...particularly with the new projects on Broadway..thanks for your
time..mathew millen 1759-16th ST 90404; (310) 903-2191
JAN 19.2010
Sonia Ramos
From: Mathew Millen [matmillen@msn.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:28 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Agenda 1/12 item 1-O
Objection to spending over 3 million dollars for a study, when more immediate needs should be
addressed......Memorial Park expansion land is not being utilized for parkland..the Fisher Lumber building
would be a perfect "adaptive reuse" for a Pico Neighborhood Library...it would be in the middle of the
neighborhood (which is from Pico to SM Blvd) ...there I strongly oppose spending over 3 million dollars to
study whether to build a park over the freeway, when Memorial Park expansion is on hold for lack of
funds.
ALSO, if the redevelopment agency has money then buy the PaperMate pen site and make that parkland
too ..the proposed development will generate too much traffic...thanks for your consideration..mathew
millen
JAN 19 2010