City Council
Meeting: December 11, 2007
Agenda Item: 8-C
To: Mayor and City Council
From:
Subject: Selection of Santa Monica Conservancy
to relocate the Shotgun House to city-owned property at
Recommended
Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1)
select
the Santa Monica Conservancy to relocate, rehabilitate and operate the Shotgun
House as
2)
approve
major terms for a 20 year lease agreement including waiving application and
building permit fees and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the
lease agreement with the Santa Monica Conservancy.
Executive
Summary
In August 2007, at the direction of the City Council,
City staff issued a Request for Proposals to non-profit organizations for the
relocation, rehabilitation and operation of the Shotgun House (House), a
city-owned bungalow that is currently being stored at 1601 Olympic
Boulevard. One proposal was received
from the Santa Monica Conservancy (Conservancy), proposing to use the House as
a
Discussion
Background and Prior Council Actions
The Shotgun House was originally located on
private property at
Subsequently, the House was purchased by
the Ocean Park Community Organization (OPCO) in an effort to save it from
immediate demolition. In order to provide OPCO with sufficient time to identify
a site for permanent relocation, explore reuse alternatives and raise funds for
the relocation and rehabilitation efforts, the City administratively approved
its temporary relocation to the
On November 1, 2005, the City Council authorized the
temporary relocation of the House to City-owned property at 1401 Olympic
Boulevard in order to make way for
On June
26, 2007, the City Council approved the
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Approved
relocation site at 2nd Street & Norman Place |
On August 20, 2007, City staff issued a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for the House. The RFP
was sent to 76 non-profit organizations that currently receive City grant
funding. It was also posted on the
City’s website and a display ad was placed in the
Selection of the
The committee unanimously supports the selection of
the Conservancy to relocate, rehabilitate and operate the House. The proposal confirms the organization’s
non-profit status; demonstrates a solid understanding of the work involved to
relocate and rehabilitate the House including identification of team members
with experience and capacity in historic preservation; and demonstrates a
public benefit by proposing to use the House as a
Proposed Hours of Operation, Planned Activities and Staffing
The Center is proposed to be open 12
hours/week on a regular basis with additional hours by appointment for school groups
and others interested in local community history. The House would also be used for small workshops
related to training in construction and rehabilitation of historic buildings and
the Center staff would assist community members with answers to preservation
questions. A database of material
suppliers, preservation consultants, architects, artisans and engineers with
experience in preservation work is proposed to be made available for public use. The Center would also serve as the site for
regular Conservancy Board and committee meetings. The Conservancy proposes to store its
materials at the Center. Additionally,
the Center would house a permanent exhibit documenting the history of the House,
its role in
The
Conservancy proposes to promote the Center through local media, the Conservancy
newsletter and website as well as through links to other websites that focus on
preservation, tourism and history.
Estimated Relocation, Rehabilitation and Operation
Costs
The Conservancy estimates that the cost for relocation
and rehabilitation will range from $260,000 to $278,000 depending on whether a
small addition to accommodate a restroom can be incorporated on site.
Additionally, the submitted budget identifies services that may be provided on
a pro-bono basis which would reduce the estimated cost. The proposal demonstrates the capacity of the
Santa Monica Conservancy to raise the necessary funds to relocate and
rehabilitate the house including approximately $20,000 which have already been
raised and expended for the Shotgun House project. These funds covered moving the house twice,
termite inspection and hiring a preservation professional to prepare an
historic assessment of the house and these activities were performed prior to
ownership of the house being clarified.
The proposed timeline reflects completion of a
fundraising campaign within 30 months, with the first 9 months devoted to
developing a financing feasibility study and with relocation and rehabilitation
commencing during the last six months of the campaign. The
proposal identifies a variety of possible funding sources including but not
limited to the Conservancy membership, local businesses, national associations
of builders and building suppliers and foundations which support community and
cultural institutions. The proposal
includes an outline of estimated ongoing operating costs of approximately
$10,000 annually. The Conservancy has
indicated it will be able to support ongoing maintenance needs through
fundraising and, if needed, with support from its current fund balance.
Proposed Lease Terms
The following summarizes recommended
lease terms for the relocation, rehabilitation and operation of the House by
the Santa Monica Conservancy.
- The
Conservancy will be solely responsible for funding and implementing the
relocation and rehabilitation of the House including utilities, foundations,
exterior and interior walls, roofing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
systems, lighting, floor finishes, equipment and furnishings and any other
improvements necessary to operate the facility as a
- The
Conservancy will be required to secure all necessary regulatory permits
for the relocation and rehabilitation of the House including but not
limited to discretionary approvals from the Planning Commission and
Landmarks Commission, Coastal Commission approvals, building permits and
housemoving permits. City staff
will provide technical support to the extent possible.
- The
Conservancy has requested that the City waive application and building
permit fees for this project in recognition of the public benefits that
the project will provide. Staff feels that this is a reasonable request
and would recommend that it be incorporated into the lease terms.
- The City
will fund and complete site improvements for the Second and Norman Place
site including reconfiguration of the lot to accommodate a new parking
layout, landscaping, replacement of the existing retaining wall and
construction of a trash enclosure. The City will work closely with the
Conservancy to schedule the site improvements at such time as the City
determines the Conservancy has adequate funds (including funds received
and funding commitments) to fully implement the proposed relocation and
rehabilitation. The City will complete its obligations in advance of the
House relocation.
- The
Conservancy will be required to pay rent annually in the amount of $1 (one
dollar);
- The House is
to be used by the Conservancy as a
- Within 9
months of lease execution, the Conservancy shall prepare and submit to the
City a fundraising feasibility plan for the project.
- Contingent
upon the Conservancy raising the necessary funds for the building
relocation and rehabilitation, the House will be made available for the
Conservancy’s exclusive use for a term of 20 years.
- Within 30
months of lease execution, the Conservancy will have identified sufficient
funds to relocate and rehabilitate the House.
- The
Conservancy will be solely responsible for covering all operating costs
during the term of the lease including ongoing maintenance expenses (such
as utilities, insurance, preventative maintenance).
- The
Conservancy will provide all necessary staffing to sustain its operations
and will not be dependent upon City staff for custodial, security,
clerical, equipment/facility maintenance, landscaping within building
setback areas, event set up, administrative or community support services. A minimum of two months prior to opening
the Center, the Conservancy shall submit to the City a facilities
operations plan outlining basic staffing levels and any contracted
services to be used for maintenance and operations as well as a
preventative maintenance program.
- The City
will maintain the public parking lot.
- The
Conservancy will sustain the following minimum service standards in order
to insure the community receives the maximum public benefit from this
agreement. The Conservancy will:
- Maintain
its non-profit status
- Be
essentially educational in nature
- Open the
Center to the general public at regular hours with a minimum of 600 hours
per year and by appointment.
Alternatives
If the Council does not approve the selection of the Conservancy
for the House as proposed, it may wish to consider selling the building to a
private entity for a private use.
Financial Impacts and
Budget Actions
The City Council previously appropriated $84,000 in account M010876.589000 for site
improvements. Revenue impacts associated
with waiving application and building permit fees are minimal. There is no necessary budget action associated with this recommendation.
Prepared by:
Karen
Ginsberg, Assistant Director, Community & Cultural Services
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Approved: |
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Forwarded to Council: |
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Barbara Stinchfield Director,
Community & Cultural Services |
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P. City Manager |