CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
April 15, 2025 {{section.number}}d
AUTHORIZE A TASK ORDER MODIFICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,185 WITH PSOMAS FOR DESIGN OF THE DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT PHASE 1 RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a task order modification in the amount of $210,185 with Psomas for the design and construction document production of the Downtown Beautification Project Phase 1 and authorize the City Manager to execute related permitting applications and agreements with Caltrans as needed.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past three decades, the City of Coronado has undergone significant downtown transformation driven by dedicated efforts to enhance economic vitality as well as the village atmosphere. Key initiatives guided by collaborative efforts involving citizens and organizations have shaped the downtown landscape: the Coronado Business Area Development Plan (1993), the Orange Avenue Corridor Specific Plan (2003) and the Wayfinding Signage Program (2015).
Major projects have included Adella Plaza (2000), Downtown Enhancement Project (DTEP) Phase 1 (DTEP1) (2001) and Phase II (DTEP2) (2002) and the Rotary Park expansion (2009).
On April 6, 2021, Discover Coronado presented their Orange Avenue Beautification Report to the City Council. The report included a broad set of potential improvements to Orange Avenue to enhance the quality of life for residents and the experience of visitors. City Council directed staff to review Discover Coronado’s proposal and develop a menu of options and returned to Council for further consideration. On March 1, 2022, staff returned to Council with the project ideas from the Discover Coronado report categorized into short-, mid-, and long-term projects and a matrix showing potential timing and associated implementation steps. City Council reviewed the menu of items and provided consensus direction on high priority improvements to Orange Avenue.
On January 16, 2024, staff presented the City Council with downtown beautification options for Orange Avenue. These included Full Scope Enhancements or Street Furnishings Only for various segments (100 block, 800 block or 100 block through RH Dana Place). Options encompassed sidewalk improvements, lighting, street furniture, and decorative elements such as the terrazzo at the Village Theater, tree grates, historic light posts, decorative lighting, benches, trash and recycling cans, bicycle racks, news racks, utility box public art, crosswalks, signs, and traffic light faces. The January 16, 2024 staff report and minutes are attached for reference.
The City Council delegated to its Council’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Subcommittee determinations of implementation sequencing for Full Scope Enhancements for Orange Avenue’s 100 and 800 blocks and Street Furnishing Only for Orange Avenue’s 100 through 1300 blocks to RH Dana Place.
The Downtown Beautification Project along Orange Avenue will be separated into two phases:
• Phase 1 will consist of the replacement and addition of street furnishings along the Orange Avenue sidewalks on both sides of the street from First Avenue to RH Dana Place, excluding the 800 block. Based on 2024 input from the CIP Subcommittee and supported by the City Council, the Full Scope Enhancements will not occur on the 100 block only. • Phase 2 will consist of a more intensive rehabilitation of the 800 block, including replacement and addition of street furnishings, replacement of sidewalk and installation of historic light poles, and irrigation as well as installation of historic light poles on the 600 block.
ANALYSIS:
Staff initiated preliminary work on the Downtown Beautification Project by commissioning a professional survey of Orange Avenue. On September 12, 2024, the City issued task order 25- POS-069 for $54,465 to Psomas, one of the City's on-call engineering consultants. This survey covers Orange Avenue from the 100 block to RH Dana Place and will support the preparation of construction documents for both phases of the project. A modification of the task order to incorporate design services for Phase 1 is proposed, which include development of detailed design plans for removal and replacement of declining or missing trees; refurbishing existing tree grates or replacing missing tree grates; installation of new trash and recycling receptacles; installation of new benches; installation of new or refurbishment of existing bike racks; and refinishing of existing news racks.
The modification also covers professional services including stakeholder engagement meetings, complete construction drawings and technical specifications, assistance during plan approval and bidding processes, and comprehensive cost estimates. Since a significant portion of Phase 1 and all of Phase 2 falls within California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) jurisdiction, staff also requests that Council authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary permitting applications and maintenance agreements with Caltrans. These agreements are essential for project implementation and will establish ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
The design contract for Phase 2, which includes the more intensive rehabilitation of the 800 block, will come before the City Council for separate approval by summer 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This project is included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program with an allocation of $550,000. To date staff has encumbered $54,465 for Professional Survey (Phase 1 and Phase 2) and seek approval of $210,185 for Phase 1 Design and Construction Documents.
If approved, $266,650 would be encumbered with $283,350 remaining for the design and construction documents for Phase 2. The project account numbers are TransNet 21030000- 98983-23001 and General Fund 40070000-98983-23001.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could elect to direct staff to go through a Request for Qualifications process to select a design consultant or could choose to not authorize the execution of a design contract at this time. Either of these selections would postpone the completion of this project.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
This activity is exempt from environmental review pursuant with CEQA section 15063(b) because it can be seen with certainty that the proposed surveying and design work will not have a significant physical effect on the environment.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Task Order Modification #1
2. January 16, 2024 Staff Report
3. January 16, 2024 Minutes
Submitted By: Public Services and Engineering Department / Ruby Carr