Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-6333 Meeting Date: 7/18/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE
WATERFRONT EDUCATION CENTER
RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION FROM M. ARTHUR GENSLER JR. & ASSOCIATES, INC.
ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DESIGN CONCEPT PREPARED FOR THE PUBLIC WATERFRONT EDUCATION FACILITY AT THE FORMER JOE’S CRAB SHACK SITE
APPROVE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OR PROVIDE DIRECTION ON MODIFICATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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 education 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), an architecture firm, to conduct a feasibility study of the site and prepare a conceptual plan for the new facility. The study includes a narrative of existing conditions, as well as limitations based on requirements outlined in the LCP, General Plan and Municipal Code. The study provides recommendations on the possible size and scale of development on the site and includes conceptual designs that will assist in establishing a vision for a new ground-up building dedicated as an education center.
On July 18th, representatives from Gensler will present the conceptual design to the City Council.
The design, if approved, will be used to attract programming ideas and fund raising for construction and operation of the future facility. The Harbor Commission is scheduled to receive a presentation on the education center design and feasibility study at their August meeting.
BACKGROUND
The adopted Public Amenities Plan was subject to substantial citizen input. The idea to convert a restaurant site into an education center was an identified opportunity that was fully supported by the community. As such, staff incorporated an educational zone at the old Joe’s Crab Shack site, with the notion that children participating in a future educational center would be in close proximity to
N.1., File # 23-6333 Meeting Date: 7/18/2023
the notion that children participating in a future educational center would 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 requires a combination of private financing, generous donations, grants, 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 instructional amenities, such as museums, aquariums or technology driven exhibits. The non-profit programmer(s) 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 yearover-year costs and operations.
While the City strives to construct a new building with a regional draw, the intent is to also partner with the educational community to attract underserved youth that may not otherwise have access to the ocean. Staff members have 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 and bring students to the coast to learn about ocean-related educational topics.
The Agreement with Gensler represents the City’s commitment to the project and is the first step towards establishing the education center. It also allows for analysis of the various conditions of the site that factor into what can be physically constructed on the property.
Thus far, the feasibility study and design process has included Gensler conducting a kick-off meeting with staff in February 2023, meeting with representatives of SEED LA to understand the needs of potential program partners, and analyzing property soil conditions, zoning requirements, coastal commission requirements, and parking requirements, to determine the appropriate scale of the future building. On March 9, April 12, and May 2, Gensler held follow up meetings with staff from the Community Development Department, Waterfront and Economic Development Department and City Manager’s Office to review project constraints, garner a better understanding of spatial/programming limitations, and examine various architectural design concepts. On June 26, 2023, Gensler staff provided the conceptual illustrations to the City that are the basis of the July 18 presentation.
Staff recommends City Council review and approve the design concept (or provide any direction on modifications) and direct staff to utilize the final design to attract programming ideas and funding sources for future construction of the new facility.
COORDINATION
Staff from the Waterfront & Economic Development Department coordinated the production of this staff report with staff members in the Community Development Department and City Manager’s Office. The design concept and feasibility study are scheduled to be presented to the Harbor Commission on August 14th.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the design contract with Gensler is $76,825. The City Council appropriated $75,000 of Tidelands Funds in the Capital Improvement Program for the project. The additional $1,825 was covered by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s annual budget for contracts and
N.1., File # 23-6333 Meeting Date: 7/18/2023
covered by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department’s annual budget for contracts and professional services. The estimated cost to construct the waterfront education center, as designed, is being prepared by Gensler and will be provided as part of the July 18 presentation.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Feasibility Study and Conceptual Designs for a Waterfront Education Facility