Administrative
Report
H.10., File # 23-5976 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH M. ARTHUR GENSLER JR. & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS FOR A PUBLIC WATERFRONT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY AT THE FORMER JOE’S CRAB SHACK SITE TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT TERM THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023 AT NO ADDITIONAL COST
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.
On January 17, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. (Gensler), which is an architecture firm tasked with performing a feasibility study of the site. The study includes a narrative of existing conditions, as well as limitations based on requirements outlined in the General Plan and Municipal Code. The study will result in recommendations on the appropriate size and scale of development on the site and include conceptual designs that will assist in establishing a concept and vision for a new ground-up building dedicated for the public as an educational center. Staff intends to use the conceptual designs produced by Gensler to attract programming ideas and funding sources for the new building. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $76,825 and was initially for the term of January 17, 2023 through April 16, 2023.
Staff anticipated representatives from Gensler to present a final conceptual design to City Council prior to the April termination of the Agreement. Delays have prevented the preparation of presentation-ready renderings for City Council review. Gensler representatives are now targeting summer 2023 to make the planned presentation to City Council. To ensure that the consultant is able to carry the preliminary design effort through to completion, the contract is recommended for extension through August 31, 2023 at no additional cost.
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 was fully
H.10., File # 23-5976 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
restaurant site into an educational center was unanticipated but proved valuable and was fully supported by the community. As such, staff incorporated an educational zone at the old Joe’s Crab Shack site to the adopted Public Amenities Plan. An educational center at this site puts children in close proximity to other regional draws such as Seaside Lagoon and provides direct access to a variety on-the-water activities.
Constructing and designing an educational center is unique and involves a combination of private financing, generous donations and government cooperation. 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. 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 has reached out to representatives of 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.
The Agreement with Gensler represents the City’s commitment and is one of the first steps 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. To date, Gensler has completed a kick-off meeting with staff in February 2023 and has analyzed soil conditions, zoning requirements, coastal commission requirements, parking requirements, etc., to ascertain the maximum scale of the future building. On March 9, Gensler met with staff from the Community Development Department, Waterfront and Economic Development Department and City Manager’s Office to review constraints, garner a better understanding of spatial/programming needs and examine various architectural design concepts.
On March 30, 2023, Gensler met with staff again to review various design concepts. However, delays have prevented the completion of fabrication for presentation-ready renderings, and, as such, are not ready for City Council review at this time. Staff is targeting a Council presentation in June or July of 2023. To ensure that the consultant is able to carry the project through completion, the contract is recommended for extension through August 31, 2023 at no additional cost.
COORDINATION
The first amendment to the Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Partnership opportunities for future operation of the waterfront education facility are being explored.
Representatives from SEED LA have assisted staff and Gensler with the preparation of initial design concepts.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no additional costs associated with the extension of the Agreement. The cost for the contract is $76,825. The City Council appropriated $75,000 of Tidelands Funds in the Capital Improvement Program for the design contract. The additional $1,825 will be covered by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s regular annual budget for contracts and
H.10., File # 23-5976 Meeting Date: 5/2/2023
Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s regular annual budget for contracts and professional services.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - First Amendment to the Agreement with M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. · Original Agreement with M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc., January 17, 2023