CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
November 20, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: RECEIVE AND FILE CONCEPT PLAN “A” FOR “CIVIC CENTER PLAZA – NEW PLAYGROUND AND AMENITIES,” PROJECT NO. 428-71063 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the proposed Concept Plan “A” (Attachment No. 1) for “Civic Center Plaza – New Playground and Amenities,” Project No. 428-2590-XXXXX-71063.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Concept Plan “A” reflects the City’s intent to activate park space and promote a strong sense of community by enhancing a focal point of community revitalization at the Civic Center Plaza. The Concept Plan “A” proposes an extensive all-abilities play area featuring a tot lot (2-5 years), 5-12 year play area, a large tower feature, a sand and water play area, a fog and cube climber play area, picnic seating with shade structure, ADA-accessible tiered seating integrated with slope play, a restroom facility with family restrooms, and a maintenance building to house fountain, water play, and fog equipment. Concept Plan “A” also includes rehabilitation and restoration of the Civic Center Plaza fountain back to its original function and aesthetic, as well as lighting improvements in the Civic Center Plaza. This report documents the design scheme for Civic Center Park that will immediately move forward into the construction plan phase, which is critical due to timing of some of the layered funding in the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact with this action. However, there is currently an overall budget shortfall for the Project of $3,801,094, which will need to be identified and appropriated in future actions. The current remaining Project budget, after expenses and encumbrances to date, is $4,586,916, while the construction cost of Concept Plan “A” is estimated at $8,388,010. The current Project budget status is summarized in the table below:
“Civic Center Plaza – New Playground and Amenities”
Project No. 428-2590-XXXXX-71063
Category
Amount
Current Budget
$5,138,768
Expenses and Encumbrances (as of November 8, 2023)
($551,852)
Funds Available for Contingency, Staff Time, and Construction $4,586,916
Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate
($8,388,010)
Shortfall in Funds
($3,801,094)
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On June 6, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-90 to accept the State of California General Fund grant funds in the amount of $1,100,000 for the Project.
On February 27, 2023, the City Council appropriated $1,100,000 of the State of California General Fund grant funds and $36,904 of Mayoral CIP Carryover Discretionary Fund balance to the Project, and awarded an agreement to Hirsch & Associates, Inc. (HAI) to provide professional design services in an amount not-to-exceed $509,700.
On May 18, 2023, HAI and Staff presented potential design concepts and themes to the Parks and Recreation Commission for feedback.
On June 6, 2023, with City Council’s adoption of the FY 2023-24 CIP Budget, $2,700,000 of Parks and Recreation Development Impact Fees was appropriated to the Project.
On June 7, 2023, HAI and Staff presented potential design concepts and themes to the Historic Preservation Commission for feedback.
On October 19, 2023, HAI and Staff presented Concept Plan “A” to the Parks and Recreation Commission for feedback.
DISCUSSION:
A specific priority and goal of the City Council is the activation of the City’s parks. Activating parks plays a critical role in supporting the community's overall health, including encouraging physical activity and also promoting a strong sense of community and belonging. Civic Center Plaza has been a focal point of community revitalization and park activation, as it hosts large community events, such as the Children’s Festival and a Summer Concert Series.
In 2019, Pomona Placemaking, a community-based group, organized a community conversation to reimagine the Civic Center Plaza as a family destination for daily activities, in addition to large community events. Numerous improvements were discussed, including the development of a major playground attraction, among other improvements.
Over the last several months, after hearing from the Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissions, HAI and Staff have been preparing a concept design that best reflects the desired intent of providing an all-abilities playground facility while creating a strong focal point of community revitalization. While conceptualizing the design for this park layout, creating elevation was key. Elevation, whether from tall play features or changes in topography, were a common element in all destination play areas that were researched and evaluated in preparing Concept Plan “A.” The proposed grass area for the Project already has some elevation changes which have been exaggerated in the proposed concept by dropping the interior of the lawn and keeping the planter areas with large trees at their existing levels with the use of low retaining walls, stepped terraces, and slope play. The terraced area has been designed to be ADA-accessible and can be used for seating and/or picnicking.
Creating a “bowl” effect in Concept Plan “A” also provides some protection within the play area. Proposed guardrails along the top of the retaining walls will help to keep both the children within the play area and protect the planter areas from foot traffic. Maintaining the naturally higher elevation along the northeastern edge of the park provides the opportunity for an ADA-accessible ramping system leading to a large play tower. Other features include:
Sand and Water Play Area,
Tot Lot (2-5 Year Play Area),
5-12 Year Play Area,
Tiered Seating Integrated with Slope Play,
Fog and Cube Climber Play Area,
Entry Plaza,
Picnic Seating with Shade Structure,
Restroom Facility, including Family Restrooms,
Fountain Restored to Original Function and Aesthetic,
Maintenance Building for Fountain, Water Play, and Fog Equipment, and 3 Points of Access
Funding for the Project began with the initial $1,100,000 grant from the State of California General Fund, administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA). The Project budget also includes: $2,700,000 (Parks and Recreation Development Impact Fees), $300,000 (Mayoral ARP Fund), $501,864 (CDBG funds from Mayor, Districts 1-3 and 5), and $36,904 (Mayoral CIP Carryover Discretionary Fund Balance). With expenses and encumbrances to date, the current remaining available Project budget is $4,586,916. The total estimated construction cost of the Project is $8,388,010. Additional funds will need to be identified while the Project is being designed.
There is an aggressive Project schedule because the CNRA requires that the $1,100,000 grant be expended before June 2025. As such, the design and preparation of the construction plans for this Project must begin now. Completion of the construction plans is anticipated by April 2024, with an expected award of a construction contract by June 2024.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the June 21, 2021, City Council Priorities and Goals: Priority 5 – Infrastructure: Goal O – Improve Parks facilities.
Prepared by:
Leyna Nguyen
Associate Civil Engineer
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – “Civic Center Plaza – New Playground and Amenities” - Concept Plan “A” Receive and File Concept Plan “A” for “Civic Center Plaza – New Playground and Amenities”