City
Council Memorandum
TO
: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 24, 2025 FROM: COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WARD: 1
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL CONSUL TANT SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
PREPARATION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) REVIEW FOR THE RIVERSIDE ADVENTURE CENTER AND MIXED- USE TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT LO CATED WITHIN A 126-ACRE CITY- OWNED PROPERTY IN THE NORTHS IDE, WITH ALBERT A. WEBB
ASSOCIATES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $299,492 PLUS 40% CONTINGENCY OF $114,829, FOR A TOTA L CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $414,321 FOR A TWO- YEAR TERM, WITH THE OPTION TO EXTEND FOR TWO ADDITIONAL 6-
MONTH TERMS
ISSUE:
Approve a Professional Consultant Services Ag reement for Albert A. Webb Associates for the
preparation of the Califor nia Environmental Quality Act (CEQ A) environmental review for the Riverside Adventure Center and Mixed-Use Town Center Development, for a total amount of $299,492 plus 40% contingency of $114,829 for a total contract amount of $414,321, for a two- year term, with the option to extend for two additional 6-month terms.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a Profession al Consultant Services Agreement for Albert A. Webb Associates for preparation of the California Environmental Q uality Act (CEQA) environmental review for the proposed Riverside Adventur e Center and Mixed-Use Town Center Development project for an amount of $299,492;
2. Authorize a 40% contingency in the amount of $114,829 resulting in a contract amount not to exceed $414,321; and
3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute th e Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Alber t A. Webb Associates, includi ng making minor and non- substantive changes including but not limited to extensions to the term of the Agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The project
site is a 126-acre city-owned property consisting of three vacant and underutilized parcels (APN’s 246-060-011, 206-070-002 and 206-070-003), locat ed within the Northside
REVISED
CC Date: 6-24-25
Item No.: 22
CEQA Contract - ASR Riverside Adventure Center and Mixed-Use Town Center Development Page 2 Specific Plan (NSP). The NSP is
the policy document developed by the City, in conjunction with the local community, to guide future developm ent in the Northside neighborhood. The City Council adopted both the Specific Plan and the Program EIR in November 2020.
In February 2025, the City Council approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with the Adrenaline Sports Resorts (ASR) Collaborative (Develop er) for the acquisition and development of 126 acres of City-owned property. T he term of the ENA is six months with two possible 6-month extensions upo n request of the developer. Duri ng the term of the ENA, the proposed development is required to undergo environmental review and clearance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ASR Collaborative proposed a devel opment project for the 126-acre si te that is consistent with the Northside Specific Plan (NSP) vision, which is designed to accommodate a safe, healthy and balanced community that celebrates the history and culture of the greater Riverside Area.
The development, representing a capital investment from the master developer of $200 million, is anticipated to create:
722 housing units with 25% reserved as affordable housing in compliance with the Surplus Land Act and Notice of Availability;
Four-story, 150 room, 91,500 square foot Adventure Center Hotel and Conference Center; 20,000 square foot athlete hostel;
Town Center with commercial and 360,000 square feet retail uses including a 45,000 square foot grocery store, restaurants and Main Street retail; A sports adventure center that serves as a highly amenitized publ ic park with programs that will drive job creation and bring benefits to the community . This will include biking, hiking, trails, climbing, kids play areas, open space and connection to Reid Park and open to the public.
The Riverside Adventure Cent er will be open to the public and will become a community gathering place rooted in healthy living, sharing the goals of the City’s Blue Zones pursuit; Create 2,800 jobs; and
Yield an estimated cost savings of $3.9 million annually for the City.
This project is an economic development catalyst for the City of Riverside.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the massive economic dev
elopment potential and expedited timeframe of the proposed development, it is imperative that the CEQA environmental review and clearance be performed in an adequate and timely manner. In an effort to initiate the CEQA process, the project is seeking approval to enter into an agreement with Albert A. Webb Associates to conduct the necessary environmental review and clearance for the proposed development. The goals of this environmental review effort are:
To fully evaluate and, where necessary, miti gate potential environmental impacts of the proposed project to the extent such mitigation is not already provided for the Northside Specific Plan Program EIR; and
Prepare all necessary environmental clea rance to facilitate and streamline the development process for the proposed project.
CEQA Contract - ASR Riverside Adventure Center and Mixed-Use Town Center Development Page 3 Scope of Work
The terms of the contract is two years, with an option to ext end two additional 6-month terms, subject to City Manager approval. The proposed scope of work can be found in Attachment 2 of the Staff Report and summarized in bullet points below:
Task 1 - Project Set Up Coordination/Kick-Off Meeting Task 2 - Preparation of Project Description
Task 3 – Preparation of Technical Studies
o Subtask 3.1: Prepare Cultural Resource Report
Task 4 – Peer Review
o Subtask 4.1: Peer Review of Biological Reports
o Subtask 4.2: Peer Review of VMT Analysis
Task 5 – Prepare Supporting Document for CEQA Section 15183 Task 6 – Attend Public Hearings
Task 7 – Prepare CEQA Determination Notice
Task 8 – Project Management and Coordination
Task 9 – Regulatory Permitting (Optional Task) – Webb shall only complete this task if directed to do so, in writing, by the City.
The proposed 40% contingency requested on the cost proposal would allow for an alternative environmental analysis in the event that the analysis performed by Webb results in the need for additional technical studies or environmental documents.
Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Section 702 states, Exceptions. Competitive Procurement through the Informal Procurement and Formal Procurement process shall not be required in any of the following circumstances…(d) “When the Procurement can only be obtained timely from a single source and the Manager is satisfied that the best price, terms and conditions for the Procurement thereof have been negotiated;” and (n) "when it is determined by the Manager to be in the best interests of the City to do so."
The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended action complies with Purchasing Resolution No. 24101.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Priority 3 – Economic Opportunity (Goal 3.3: Cultivate a business climate that welcomes innovation, entrepreneurship and investment) and Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government (Goal 5.3 Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making).
This Project aligns with the following Cross-Cutting Threads:
1. Community Trust – The proposed project creates transparency as it will be reviewed at a public hearing.
2. Equity – The proposed project will provide environmental analyses required under CEQA to analyze for any potentially significant impacts and facilitate a development that aims to provide open space and recreat ion, housing, commercial uses, and a unique destination for residents and visitors within the City.
CEQA Contract - ASR Riverside Adventure Center and Mixed-Use Town Center Development Page 4
3. Fiscal Responsibility – The City is a prudent stewar d of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resour
ces while providing quality public
services to all.
4. Innovation – The City is inventive and timely in meeting the community’s changing needs.
The consultant team will leverage available technologies and innovations to accurately assess all potential impacts and prepare an environmental document per CEQA.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – The awarding of this contract will allow for a comprehensive assessment of all environmental impacts of the project under CEQA to ensure a sustainable and resilient project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the City is anticipated for the project. All costs are borne by the Applicant. The Applicant will provide a check deposit whic
h will be deposited into the Special Deposits Account,
Planning EIR Trust Account No. 0000720-224250. No work shall be commenced until the Applicant provides the full amount of applicable fees to the City as set forth by Webb Associates in the Cost Proposal.
Prepared by: Regine Kennedy, Senior Planner
Approved by: Jennifer A. Lilley, Comm unity & Economic Development Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Fi nance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Rebecca McK ee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
1. Professional Consultant Services Agreement
2. Webb Associates Proposal