Rockhaven Sanitarium
Status of the Preservation and Reuse of Rockhaven &
SWA Contract Change Order for Rockhaven Design
Services
February 27, 2024
History of Rockhaven
2 1923:
Opened as a private
women's facility that
provided specialized
care in beautiful gated
surroundings.
Site Plan
3 Background
• City acquires Site for $8.25M: April 2008
• 3 Attempts to develop/preserve site:
Ø Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process: 2014
Ø Request for Proposals (RFP) process: 2016-2019
Ø ENA for boutique hotel: Aug 2019 – Jan 2020
• Senator Portantino announces $8.0M State grant: June 2021 • Evaluation addressing deferred maintenance and limited reuse of buildings completed: July 2021
• Council considers reuse options- directs investigating Rockhaven reuse as: (i) park with commercial opportunities, (ii) museum, (iii) relocation of Montrose Library & (iv) affordable housing: Oct 2021
4 Background (cont.)
• Analysis presented to Council: May 2022
Ø Montrose Library relocation options (new construction or rehabilitation) exceeded value of Grant
Ø Pines Cottage identified as most suitable for museum
Ø Housing- vacant areas could support new housing and
supportive housing could be located in existing buildings Ø Council directs proceeding with additional studies
necessary to stabilize buildings, improve grounds, open museum, address parking, conduct outreach, and conduct
feasibility analysis of a library and/or affordable housing 10 Roof Replacement
• July 2021 assessment most deterioration caused by faulty roofs, gutter & drainage
• Council authorizes roof replacement: Nov 2021
Ø Staff review- future structural improvements likely undermine new roofs
• Council approves Pines Cottage roof replacement and tarping of other buildings: Aug 2022
Ø Pines Cottage- asbestos rendered existing tiles unsalvageable- bidding package and scope revised
• Contracts awarded: Jan 2023
• Tarping, abatement & roof replacement : Apr to May 2023 State Grant
• $8.0M State Grant announced: June 2021
• Council directs Grant Agreement finalization: Oct 2021 Ø Grant required project scope/CEQA before execution
• Council approves project scope: May 2022
• Council authorizes Grant execution/appropriates $8.0M:
Aug 23, 2022
• City files Notice of Exemption: Aug 24, 2022
• Grant documentation submitted to State: Sep 1, 2022
Ø 1st review completed: Jan 12, 2023
• Grant agreement executed: Mar 22, 2023
*Project must be completed by March 1, 2026
SWA GROUP
• Comprehensive design and engineering services needed to move Rockhaven reuse forward
• City enters into PSA with SWA Group: Oct 2022
Ø SWA Group completes: (i) site survey (topo & utility detection), (ii) laser scanning of Pines Cottage, and (iii) tree survey & assessment
Ø SWA completes preliminary site investigation (inventory and long-term programming strategy)
• Due to funding limits narrower scope within $8.0M Grant is developed focusing on 3 objectives:
i. Pines Cottage renovation for museum
ii. Renovation of historic grounds (landscaping & pathways) iii. Off-site parking feasibility
SWA Group
• Scope maintains buildings in place and focus on 3 objectives that permit reopening Rockhaven while a long-term
operational and funding plan can be developed
• Next Step- Based on Council direction SWA develops two concept plan alternatives balancing existing conditions, museum, and landscaping and hardscape improvements
Ø Concept plans address pedestrian circulation, entryways, drainage, irrigation, planting, lighting, fencing, and conceptual landscaping
Ø Alternatives to be presented for Council review and then presented in community meetings for comment