SR 01-23-2018 3H
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: January 23, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.H
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Architecture Services
Subject: Award of Design Agreement for the Memorial Park Feasibility Study and
Master Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award RFP #SP2509 to AHBE Landscape Architects, a California-based company,
for the feasibility study and master plan design of the Memorial Park Redevelopme nt
and Expansion Project; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with AHBE
Landscape Architects, in an amount not to exceed $326,706 (including a 10%
contingency).
Executive Summary
The Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project would combine the existing
10.3-acre Memorial Park with an adjoining City-owned 2.9-acre site to the north into a
newly renovated and expanded community park. The recommended feasibility study
and master plan would examine existing conditions and park program elements, and
propose a single cohesive park program and layout with a focus on sports fields,
particularly baseball and softball. Staff recommends entering into an agreement with
AHBE Landscape Architects to provide feasibility study and master plan design services
for an amount not to exceed $326,706 (includes a 10% contingency). Staff will return to
Council in fall 2018 to present the preferred master plan option for final approval.
Background
Santa Monica’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, adopted in 1997, (Attachment A)
stated that it was necessary to consider redefining the role of Memorial Park to better
serve the community. Staff recommended the development of a Memorial Park Master
Plan as part of the 1997 Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Attachment B). However,
the City did not take control of the Fisher Lumber site until 2005 , and in lieu of a viable
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alternate site, the Fisher Lumber site has since housed the City’s Colorado Yards and
Public Landscape Division’s equipment and staff. A Memorial Park Master Plan has not
yet been developed.
In October 2004, Council adopted resolution 9987 (CCS) approving a negative
declaration and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a purchase of
sale agreement for the property located at 1601 14th Street, at the time occupied by
Fisher Lumber. The acquisition would preserve the possibility of expanding Memorial
Park, although no project to expand Memorial Park was contemplated at that time
(Attachment C).
On March 22, 2016, Council adopted the recommendation of the Recreation and Parks
Commission and staff and formally selected the City’s highest priority park projects to
be included in the Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment Report
(Attachment D). The Recreation and Parks Commission’s Recommendations included
the expansion of Memorial Park to include the former Fisher Lumber Site as a priority
project to be included in the Countywide Needs Assessment Report.
Today, Memorial Park is Santa Monica’s primary public park for diamond sports,
including little league baseball, Santa Monica High School softball and baseball teams,
and adult league softball and baseball. The park also houses the only public gymnasium
in Santa Monica.
Funding for preliminary planning and design for the Memorial Park Expansion Project
was included in in the 2016-2018 Capital Improvements Program Adopted Biennial
Budget. Funding options for construction will need to be explored and identified pending
the completion of the Master Plan.
Discussion
The Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project consists of two adjacent
land parcels. Parcel 1 is the existing 10.3-acre Memorial Park site. Parcel 2 is the
adjoining 2.9-acre former Fisher Lumber site to the north of the existing park. The two
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adjoining parcels are bound by Colorado Boulevard to the northwest, 16th Street to the
northeast, Olympic Boulevard to the southeast and 14th Street to the southwest.
Parcel 1 includes six baseball/softball fields, a skate park, four tennis courts, gated
children’s play structures, on-site parking, restrooms, a dog run area and three City-
owned and operated community buildings. The existing buildings house the Santa
Monica Police Activities League (P.A.L.), the community fitness room, staff offices and
the Memorial Park gymnasium. Along the proposed project’s Northwest boundary sits
Parcel 2, the former Fisher Lumber site, which currently houses the City’s Public
Landscape Division offices, covered storage areas and vehicle and equipment storage
lots. The City is considering relocating the Public Landscape Division offices to a site at
the Santa Monica Airport.
The core objective of this feasibility study and master planning process is to complete
site analysis, define the project program requirements and study options to arrive at a
conceptual master plan. The master plan is intended to inform the design and phased
construction of the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
Vendor/Consultant Selection
On August 22, 2017, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide
feasibility study and master plan design services for the 13 -acre Memorial Park
Redevelopment and Expansion Project. The RFP was posted on the City’s on -line
bidding site, and notices were advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in
accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code Section 2.24.075(a) provisions. A
total of 120 vendors downloaded the RFP. Ten proposals were received and publicly
opened on September 28, 2017. Responses to the RFP were reviewed by a selection
panel of staff from the Public Works, Planning and Community Development (PCD) and
Community and Cultural Services (CCS) departments. The 10 firms that submitted
proposals are listed below:
AHBE Landscape Architects
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Brightview
Design Workshop
Koning Eizenberg
KSA Design Studio
MIG
Studio-MLA
Rios Clementi Hale Studios
RJM Design Group
SWA Landscape Architects
Evaluation was based on the following selection criteria: fees, previous work experience
on similar projects, track record performing public sector work, hourly rates for services,
demonstrated understanding project scope, work approach, community outreach,
project team qualifications and proposed schedule. Staff then interviewed two
shortlisted firms, AHBE Landscape Architects and SWA Landscape Architects, for
interview. Based on the above criteria and criteria in SMMC 2.24.073, staff recommends
AHBE Landscape Architects as the best qualified firm to provide feasibility study and
master plan design services for the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion
Project. AHBE Landscape Architects provided a clear fee structure, exhibited a full
understanding of the project scope, and has completed projects of similar size and
scope. In addition, the project team displayed good composition with required skills, and
has experience working with governmental agencies and conducting community
outreach. Staff contacted references that had previously worked with AHBE and all
highly recommend the firm.
Next Steps
Pending Council approval, staff expects to b egin design work in March 2018. Staff
would return to Council in October 2018 to present a preferred design option and to
solicit Council’s comments and recommendations. The selected design would be further
developed, and staff would return to Council in January 2019 for approval of the Final
Master Plan document.
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The agreement to be awarded to AHBE Landscape Architects is for an amount not to
exceed $326,706. Funds are available in the FY 2017-18 Capital Improvement Program
budget in account C019154.589000.
Prepared By: Danny Welch, Architectural Associate
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Parks and Recreation Master Plan - 1997
B. July 1, 1997 Staff Report
C. October 12, 2004 Staff Report
D. March 22, 2016 Staff Report
E. AHBE Oaks Form
REFERENCE:
Agreement No. 10611
(CCS)