Administrative
Report
H.11., File # 23-5380 Meeting Date: 1/17/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
APPROVE A CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH M. ARTHUR GENSLER JR. & ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PERFORM A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DEVELOP CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS FOR A PUBLIC WATERFRONT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY AT THE FORMER JOE’S CRAB SHACK SITE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $76,825 AND FOR THE TERM JANUARY 17, 2023 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The revitalization of the waterfront has been a key strategic priority for the City for many years. Key to the revitalization effort is the need to upgrade or replace many of the amenities within the waterfront to improve recreational, educational and entertainment offerings available to residents and visitors. On October 18, 2021, the City Council approved the Public Amenities Plan. The adopted plan captures specific recommendations and comments from the public. One such recommendation from the public in particular was the idea to create an educational center just west of the Seaside Lagoon at the former Joe’s Crab Shack site.
Staff has negotiated a contract with M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. (Gensler), which is an architecture firm to perform a feasibility study of the site. The study will include a narrative of existing conditions, limitations based on zoning requirements and will result in recommendations to maximize the size and scale of development on the site. In addition to the study, Gensler will develop conceptual designs in an effort to establish a concept and vision for a new ground-up building dedicated as an educational center. An educational center will require a non-profit group (or groups) to help design and program the facility. Ideas to serve student aged children can include augmented reality, test kitchens, museums, classrooms and more. Staff intends to use the report and conceptual plans produced by Gensler to attract programming ideas and funding sources for the new building.
The proposed Agreement is for an amount not to exceed $76,825 and the term January 17, 2023 through April 16, 2023.
BACKGROUND
The adopted Public Amenities Plan was subject to substantial citizen input. The idea to convert a restaurant site into an educational center was unanticipated but proved valuable and fully supported by the community. As such, staff incorporated an educational zone at the old Joe’s Crab Shack site.
Children participating in a future educational center will be in close proximity to other regional draws such as Seaside Lagoon and have direct access to on-the-water activities.
Constructing and designing an educational center is unique. It typically requires a combination of private financing, generous donations and government cooperation to construct such a building. It
H.11., File # 23-5380 Meeting Date: 1/17/2023
private financing, generous donations and government cooperation to construct such a building. It requires financial commitments to build the structure itself and non-profit stakeholders with experience in programming and operating facilities that serve as regional amenities, such as museums, aquariums or technology driven exhibits, to name a few potential options. The non-profit programmer must be involved prior to construction in order to ensure the building is designed in a manner that supports the anticipated programming needs. They must also have experience in fundraising to support year-over-year costs and operations.
While the City strives to construct a new building with a regional draw, our intent is to also partner with the educational community to attract underserved youth that may not otherwise have access to the ocean. Staff have already reached out to representatives of the SEED School of Los Angeles County (SEED LA), which is a boarding college prep school in Los Angeles. Through a partnership with SEED LA, a portion of the children’s curriculum could occur within the proposed building at the Joe’s Crab Shack site. It would bring students to the coast to learn about ocean-related educational topics.
This Agreement represents the City’s commitment and is a first step towards establishing the educational center. It represents a significant financial commitment from the City to study aspects of the site that can factor into what can be physically constructed on the old Joe’s Crab Shack site.
Gensler will be analyzing soil conditions, zoning requirements, coastal commission requirements, parking requirements, etc., to ascertain the maximum scale of the future building. The final design elements of any future building would be subject to additional review. This feasibility study will result in conceptual drawings that are realistic in scale/scope, which can be used to attract financing (through grants and/or private donations) and programmers with the experience to design and operate an educational center.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney’s Office has approved the Agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the proposed contract is $76,825. The City Council appropriated $75,000 of Tidelands Funds in the Capital Improvement Program for the project. The additional $1,825 will be covered by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s regular annual budget for contracts and professional services.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc.