SIMMS PARK STORMWATER CAPTURE PROJECT UPDATE
March 3, 2026
1 PROJECT BACKGROUND & BENEFITS
In 2015, the Los Cerritos Channel Watershed Mgmt Program identified Simms Park as a potential stormwater capture site Significant drainage size (758 acres)
Proximity to storm drain chain (Clark Ave)
Large open area for subsurface reservoir
Project benefits include
Water quality improvements treating up to 84 million gallons annually Park enhancements with restoration of sports turf fields Bioretention basin
Renovated parking lot
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PROJECT TIMELINE TO DATE
In FY 2021/22, the regional Watershed Area Steering Committee (WASC) approved $2.1 million as part of the Stormwater Investment Plan (SIP) for the design of the Simms Park Stormwater Project.
February 2022 - City Council awarded the design portion of the project to Craftwater Engineering.
March 2022 - Craftwater initiated design of the project.
In 2024, design was paused at 60% stage due to the Oak Center Project process beginning and the on-going operational issues with Caruthers Park Stormwater System.
In 2025, Craftwater was directed to modify components of the design in an effort to avoid operating issues similar to Caruthers. These modifications were completed and plans were submitted to the City’s Building Services Division in Dec. 2025 for plan check.
City Staff is currently preparing a Bid Package in anticipation of additional funding.
4 PROJECT FUNDING
In addition to design funding ($2.1 million), the WASC began to allocate construction funding in FY 2022/23 FY 22/23 - $2,635,500
FY 23/24 - $5,515,570
FY 24/25 - $5,515,570
Local funding has also been allocated to the project as a “match” Measure W (Municipal) - $400,000
Measure A - $500,000
Bellflower Public Project Fund - $2 million
Total Current Funding - $16,566,600
5 CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE & FUNDING GAP
As of Dec. 2025, the estimated project construction cost at 100% design is $25,408,000 Based this estimate, there is currently an $8.9 million funding gap when compared to the allocated funds.
Staff has submitted a Project Modification Request (PMR) to the regional WASC group requesting an additional $8.9 million be allocated to the project.
Staff also submitted a $4 million grant request to the LA County Regional Park and Open Space District The outcome of both funding applications are expected in the next few weeks.
6 PROJECT OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Project Fully Funded (applications approved) –
City is prepared to release RFP and solicit bids to start project construction.
May 2026 – Release Project RFP
August 2026 – City Council awards the project
November 2026 – Contractor mobilizes on site to begun work November 2028 – Estimated project completion
Contractor to prioritize the opening of sports fields and public use during scheduling stages of the project
Project Remains Unfunded (applications not approved) –
City may fill remaining funding gaps with local funding sources and complete the project(s), or; City Council can direct the City Manager to cancel the project and relinquish some or all of the previously approved grant awards.
Should the Council still desire to move forward with a future CIP for Simms Park sports fields, a new CIP will have to be created and funded, and staff will initiate the RFP process to begin the design work for a new project.
The cost of a sports field project similar in scope to what is proposed as part of the stormwater project should be expected to be in the $5 - $6 million range not including design Presuming all funding is quickly identified, initial estimates for completion (including design and construction) of that project would be late 2028 at the earliest.
This project would be currently underfunded by approximately $4-5 million and potentially require additional grant applications or internal funding allocations, all of which could add additional time to the overall project schedule.
If funding is to be included in the next City Budget planning process, project completion would be delayed.
7 RECOMMENDATION
Direct the City Manager, conditioned on approval of pending funding applications, to move forward with the stormwater capture project and release an RFP soliciting bids to begin construction, or;
If funding applications are denied, cancel the project, redirect internal funding to sports field design, and begin to identify additional funding sources for construction of sports fields project, or;
Take other action as may be desired.
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