ITEM 9-A
Council Meeting: July 14, 1992
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Approval of Schematic Plans for the Renovation of
Palisades Park and Portions of Lincoln Park
INTRODUCTION
This report provides the City Council with information on the
progress of renovations at Palisades Park and Lincoln Park. A
brief presentation of schematic plans for the renovations will be
made by the architects at the Council meeting of July 14, 1992,
to illustrate the projects.
BACKGROUND
Palisades Park
A Master Plan for the park was completed in July 1991 aimed at
restoring and protecting Palisades Park from further
deterioration as well as improving its appearance and the
efficiency of its operations. The Master Plan identified over
$25,000,000 in potential improvements which included new fencing,
lighting, a jogging path, bluff stabilization, building
renovations, landscaping, and irrigation replacement extending
from the Pier to the northern terminus of the Park.
The process leading to the Master Plan included extensive site
review, public workshops, user interviews and surveys,
geotechnical engineering analysis and public hearings.
The scale and projected cost of the Master Plan for Palisades
Park necessitate a phased implementation. Following a Request
for Proposal process, Sasaki Associates, Inc., was selected in
November 1991 to design landscape and engineering renovations
consistent with the Master Plan which would extend from the Pier
north to the California Incline. The Sasaki design was presented
to the Recreation and Parks Commission at their March 19, 1992,
meeting. The Commission endorsed the plan and recommended it be
submitted to the City Council for final approval.
The project has been designed to include construction of drainage
improvements, installation of efficient irrigation systems,
restoration of plant materials (with emphasis on drought tolerant
species), construction of a new jogging path, and realignment and
repair of walkways, where required. Other design features that
have been added include more efficient and effective lighting as
well as extensive ADA accessibility improvements.
Based on funding availability, the project terminus for this
first phase of the Palisades Park renovation will be near Arizona
Avenue rather than at the California Incline. With Council's
approval of the plan, Coastal Commission approval will be sought
in August and the Architectural Review Board will be consulted.
The project will be bid and contracts signed this Fall with
scheduled work completion in June 1993.
Lincoln Park
The design of renovations for Lincoln Park was included in the
1991-92 budget. Architectural consultants Clark and Green were
engaged and met with the Recreation and Parks Commission on
December 19, 1991, for a public hearing to seek input on the
renovations. This meeting was not well attended by the public
and subsequently staff initiated a promotional campaign to
involve park users and local neighborhood groups, businesses, and
churches. Approximately 5,000 questionnaires were distributed to
local residents and to park users. Some 450 questionnaires were
returned and tabulated. Clark and Green met with Department
staff to study the activities provided at the Park and
maintenance of the Park.
A public workshop was held on February 22, 1992, at Lincoln Park
to further increase public input. Approximately seventy people
attended this workshop and contributed to the creation of three
preliminary designs which were then condensed into one plan. The
plan was reviewed by the Recreation and Parks Commission at their
March 1992 meeting and their comments were incorporated into the
design. The plan was approved at the April 1992 Commission
meeting, at which time the Commission recommended submission of
the final plan to the City Council.
The proposed improvements to Lincoln Park include utility
upgrades to replace aged equipment, relocation and expansion of
one basketball court and the construction of one additional
court, relocation of the tot lot area and a multi-use recreation
area (shuffleboard, horseshoe pit, roque), relocation of the
volleyball court to the lawn, the addition of miscellaneous park
equipment and furniture, installation of additional area
lighting, minor landscaping, and building renovation. The
building renovation involves interior painting, tile, and ceiling
work at Joslyn Hall and the adjacent Card Room, as well as the
relocation of staff offices and a restroom to Joslyn Hall.
Depending on final construction bids, it may be possible to
include work on Joslyn Hall storage areas, the addition of a
restroom and other building improvements.
Extensive turf improvements to the areas surrounding the
renovation, landscaping along Wilshire Boulevard and angle
parking on California Avenue, which were identified as desirable
but not essential improvements at this time, may be considered
for inclusion in subsequent budget year workplans.
The schedule for renovation calls for a Fall Architectural Review
Board review. Advertising for bids will take place in November
when the outcome of the Los Angeles Bond Act is known. The
contract will be awarded in early 1993 with completion of work
anticipated during the summer of 1993.
FISCAL/BUDGET IMPACT
Palisades Park
Funds are available for this project in accounts:
01-740-511-20091-8900-99264 in the amount of $1,183,397;
01-740-511-20092-8900-99337 in the amount of $82,475; and
53-740-511-20091-8900-99264 in the amount of $59,899.
Lincoln Park
The Lincoln Park renovations proposed for Fiscal Year 1992/93
will require an expenditure of $416,607. Appropriation authority
is available at accounts: 53-740-511-20092-8900-99289 in the
amount $16,607.46; 01-740-511-20093-8900-99261 in the amount
$330,000; and 53-740-511-20093-8900-99261 in the amount $70,000.
Off-setting revenue would be available from the Los Angeles
County Bond Act proceeds.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the schematic plans
presented by Sasaki Associates, Inc. and Clark and Green for
renovations to Palisades and Lincoln Parks, respectively.
Prepared by: Susan McCarthy, Acting Director, C.A.R.S.
Stan Scholl, Director of General Services
Anthony Antich, City Engineer