City Council Meeting:
December 14, 2010
Agenda Item: 8 - A
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Acting Director of Public Works
Barbara
Stinchfield, Director of Community and Cultural Services
Subject: Schematic Design for Palisades Garden
Walk & Town Square Project
Recommended Action
Staff
recommends that City Council:
1. Review
and provide input on the proposed schematic design for the Palisades Garden
Walk and Town Square Project.
2. Approve
the recommended design direction.
3. Direct
staff to move forward with project design development documents.
Executive Summary
This report discusses the proposed schematic design developed by James Corner Field Operations, and the feedback received from the recent community workshop and joint session of the Recreation and Parks and Planning Commissions. The proposed Schematic Design melds characteristics of all three original concept designs previously viewed by the community, Commissions and the City Council with the original “arroyo wash” concept being the predominant scheme while taking elements from the other two concepts, “the arroyo ravine” and “the arroyo dune.”
Overall, the most favored characteristics of the proposed schematic design from
the perspective of community members attending the November workshop or filling
out online surveys and of the Planning and Recreation and Parks Commissioners
were the scenic overlooks and bluffs, the informal gardens, the water features
traversing the site, the “bays” that are carved from the bluffs, and the
trellis lighting. Based on the feedback
received to date, with additional input from Council, staff recommends that the
design team proceed with further development of the schematic design scheme
into design development.
Staff also recommends that Council consider some ancillary issues of the Civic Center Specific Plan in order to proceed with design development which include incorporating a park-oriented restaurant at the southwest corner of Palisades Garden Walk, and the vacation of certain alleyways to better connect the proposed restaurant site to the park.
Background
On June
28, 2005, Council adopted an update to the 1993 Civic
Center Specific Plan (CCSP), including creating the six-acre Palisades Garden
Walk, with an additional one-acre Town Square in front of City Hall. The CCSP
also calls for the development of a park-oriented restaurant or a “tavern on
the green” type of dining facility to be incorporated at the southwest corner
of the new park to enhance park users’ experience within this iconic open space.
On April
13, 2010, Council awarded a design contract to James
Corner Field Operations. A key factor in
the selection of James Corner Field Operations was their commitment to engaging
the public in the planning and design of public open spaces and their creative
design approach. On October
12, 2010, Council provided input on three initial design concepts and
directed staff to proceed with Schematic Design.
Discussion
On November 13, 2010, approximately 130 community
members attended the third community workshop and joint meeting of the Planning
and Recreation and Parks Commissions. James
Corner Field Operations summarized the results of the input received to date
from the two previous workshops, from the City Council, the Recreation and
Parks Commission, Planning Commission, Landmarks Commission, and approximately
450 community surveys. The proposed schematic
design was then presented to workshop participants and Commissioners. Following the presentation, workshop
participants broke into smaller groups to discuss and provide input on the
proposed schematic design. A
representative from each group presented a verbal summary of the small group
discussion to all workshop participants and the design team. Participants were also given an opportunity
to complete an individual written survey.
The workshop concluded with comments from both the Recreation and Parks
Commission and the Planning Commission. More
information on the workshop and material presented, including the survey, is
available at www.smciviccenterparks.com.
Schematic Design Overview
The proposed schematic design builds on the
strengths of the “arroyo wash” concept design.
Fluid braided pathways, reminiscent of land forms of an arroyo, appear
to organically emerge from the Town Square extending outward through Palisades
Garden Walk and connecting to the adjacent neighborhood, the Pier, the beach,
and the rest of the civic campus. Linear rolling topography reinforces
the softness of the circulation system and creates a series of “bluffs” that
host overlooks and framed views of the city. Carved into the
rolling topography are a series of “bays” that organize the site’s program and
include spaces for small events and performances, a café with outdoor dining,
gardens, play spaces, and bike way-stations.
Water elements also originate in Town Square
and, through a series of runnels, extend into the serpentine, flowing
topography of Palisades Garden Walk that ultimately softens the sound of
traffic along Ocean Avenue, on the site’s westernmost edge. An overhead
lighting trellis also creates a linkage between Town Square and Palisades
Garden Walk and is the feature element near the corner of Ocean and Colorado
Avenues.
Three forest types are grouped over the
site: sycamores, oaks and pines – along with the relocated ficus trees
and other existing trees - creating different canopies for a variety of shade
experiences. “Morty” (the large Moreton Bay Fig tree) is preserved in place within
an adjacent picnic grove. Proposed planting
on the ground plane consists of a variety of native grasses, perennials, bulbs
and small shrubs that are easily maintained and drought-tolerant, but provide a
colorful and unique complement to the site’s softness. The overall ratio of softscape to hardscape
is 70% to 30%.
A hierarchy of pathways ranging in widths between 6 to 20 feet extends through the park, with generous openings at Main Street, Olympic Drive and Ocean Avenue. Addressing the need for a strong connection at the south western park entrance, adjacent to the Pier and Palisades Park, a phased approach is recommended. Initial elements along Ocean Avenue to be constructed as part of the park project include a generous primary entrance set back from the corner of Ocean and Colorado Avenues, punctuated with the highest of overlooks to draw visitors to the entry. These measures will be followed by construction of the first phase of the freeway cap to be completed shortly after the park is completed. The next incremental element to be added to this important entry will include a widened sidewalk and related landscaping on the west side of Ocean Avenue to visually attract and direct visitors to the sidewalk and entrance to the park.
Schematic Design - Community Responses
Following the breakout discussions at the
November workshop, the participants and the Commissioners came together to
verbally share the conclusions from each table.
The most favored characteristics were the overlooks and bluffs, the
gardens, the water features, the “bays,” and the trellis lighting. Participants had strong feelings both for and
against the frames that punctuate the overlooks and provide a focal point for
scenic views, with some people highly in favor, others saying that the design
needs refinement and could be combined with public art and others saying they
did not like having their view so proscribed. Survey results showed that a large
majority of the community strongly liked the mix of uses (62.9%) and the ratio
of canopy cover (62.5%) that the scheme presented. Least liked by the community was the proposed
circulation for bikes in the park due to pedestrian safety
concerns.
The issue of bikes in the park was discussed
as participants articulated the need for wider bike lanes in the park, while
others conversely questioned whether bikes in the park made sense at all. The discussion also focused on making sure
the bike circulation, if provided, did not overlap with either pedestrian circulation
or children’s play areas. Larger bike
parking and valet areas at the periphery were desired by a large number of
participants.
The community expressed that connectivity of the park to its surroundings is critically important. The northeast corner of the site at the Main Street Bridge will connect to the proposed Colorado Esplanade and the new Expo terminus at 4th Street and will become a primary portal for visitors disembarking from the light rail. In order to coordinate planning for a future freeway cap and extensive connections between the park and downtown, participants suggested that the design team provide pedestrian pathways. These pedestrian pathways would provide an opportunity for future phases of freeway capping and circulation improvements to the northeast corner of the park. Attention to providing an attractive route from the Village entrance to the northeast corner was also suggested.
As directed by Council in an earlier
discussion, the community survey provided an opportunity for respondents to
provide suggestions of new names for the parks.
Most participants were against keeping the name “Palisades Garden
Walk.” Suggestions included names referencing
“arroyo,” “ocean,” “gardens,” and “Arcadia” or “Bandini.” Staff will continue to obtain input on final
naming options for future Council review and consideration.
Schematic Design - Commissioners
Responses
The Recreation and Parks and Planning Commissioners
congratulated the design team on their successful community process over the
past several months and their ability to synthesize the community’s thoughts
about the parks. The Commissioners
echoed the community’s sentiment that connectivity of the park to its
surroundings is critically important. There
was discussion that Palisades Garden Walk would benefit from an additional
access point on the northeast corner of the site through to the main axis to
encourage a more direct flow from the new Expo station and downtown. The Commissioners generally liked the concept
of the frames. The trellis lighting
concept was well liked, but the daytime effect of crisscrossing cables above
the park was questioned. Commissioners
expressed the need to incorporate play and discovery opportunities for all ages
throughout the park. Larger bike parking
areas and higher overlooks were suggested.
In addition to review by the Planning and
Recreation and Parks Commissions, the Landmarks Commission review of the
schematic design is scheduled for December 13th and will focus on
the Town Square given its landmark designation.
A verbal summary of their input will be presented to Council on December
14th.
Schematic Design - Recommended Direction
Since the November 13th
community workshop, the design team has continued to consider the many comments
received both verbally and in the surveys.
Emerging design refinements include:
(1) stronger pedestrian linkages between the northeast corner of the
park, the main circulation path and the Village entrance making it possible to
more directly traverse the park between the Village and the new Expo station;
(2) refinement of the “arroyo” topography to include defined “hill” areas
organized around the stronger pathway system; and (3) the introduction of more
softscape in Town Square. The design team
will continue to synthesize input and quantify survey information over the next
few weeks. Based on the preliminary
input received, with additional input from the City Council, City staff recommends
that the design team proceed with further development of the schematic design
scheme into design development plans.
Additional Project Considerations
The Village Project Coordination – On November 11, 2010, the project team met with the Village
Project’s developer (Related/Santa Monica Village, LLC) and their landscape
architect (Mia Lehrer) to begin coordination efforts along the interface
between the two projects at the new Olympic Drive South corridor. Future meetings with the developer will provide
opportunities for design and construction coordination.
Tavern
on the Green – The CCSP
sets forth a vision to incorporate a park-oriented restaurant or “tavern on the
green” at the southwest corner of the park.
Input from community workshops echo desires for food concessions and outdoor
dining opportunities in the park. At
this time, the preparation of a restaurant analysis, preliminary study and
concept design of a “tavern on the green” type dining facility is not included
within the scope of the City’s contract with James Corner Field
Operations. Upon identifying the
additional scope of services and costs related to the restaurant analysis,
staff will return to Council to formally request a modification to James Corner
Field Operations’ contract to conduct the above activities. Staff will then return to Council to discuss restaurant
options, selection criteria to be used in the selection of a restaurant
operator, vacation of certain alleyways to connect the proposed restaurant to
the park, and funding strategies.
Next Steps
Based on City Council input on the direction
for the proposed schematic design, the following next steps are planned:
·
Educational
session on use of sustainable planting in the park project (January 29, 2011).
·
4th
Community Workshop to review the proposed design development for the parks and
concept designs for a park-oriented restaurant (February 26, 2011).
·
Staff
presentations on design development to City Boards and Commissions that serve
as advisory to the project, as requested (Spring 2011).
·
City
Council meeting to discuss selection criteria and direct the issuance of a Request
for Proposals to procure an operator for the park’s restaurant (February 2011).
·
Presentations
of design development to Landmarks Commission, Arts Commission (and its Public
Art Committee) and Architectural Review Board (Spring 2011) for regulatory
reviews.
·
City
Council Meeting to present design development package (June 14, 2011).
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There
are no financial impacts or budget actions as a result of this report.
Prepared by:
Jean Bellman, Architect
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Approved: |
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Forwarded to Council: |
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Susan Cline Acting Director of Public Works |
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Rod Gould City Manager |
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Barbara Stinchfield Director of Community and Cultural Services |
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