DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: October 21, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Azzam Jabsheh, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Department: Public Works
Subject: University Parkway Landscaping Improvements –
Conceptual Landscape Plan Review and Direction
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, review the proposed conceptual landscape plan for the University Parkway Landscaping Improvements Project and provide direction to staff prior to proceeding with final design.
City Manager's Comments
This item is the landscape construction project previously at the Council meeting and the bids were all rejected. Based on City Council discussion, Public Works has put together an alternative conceptual landscape plan for City Council review.
Executive Summary
The University Parkway Landscaping Improvements Project proposes droughttolerant, lower-maintenance landscape enhancements along University Parkway between Baseline Street and 16th Street. The revised concept uses drought-tolerant plant materials, decorative hardscape treatments, and gateway monuments to improve the appearance and identity of the corridor while reducing long-term irrigation and maintenance requirements. The landscaping improvements follow the original University Parkway Extension Phase 1 roadway construction, which included roadway improvements and a raised hardscape median; however, the additional landscaping was not completed as part of that original construction and was subsequently advanced as a separate project.
The separate Median and Streetscape Improvements Project was later advertised for construction, but the apparent low bidder withdrew its bid after the proposed award was continued by the Mayor and City Council. On June 3, 2026, the City Council rejected the construction bids and considered alternatives for moving the project forward. Staff subsequently developed a revised conceptual design and presented two alternatives to the Northwest PAC on September 14, 2026. The Northwest PAC supported the alternative incorporating gateway monuments. Staff is now presenting the preferred conceptual design to the Mayor and City Council for review and direction prior to proceeding with final design.
Background
University Parkway is identified as a major arterial roadway in the City’s General Plan Circulation Element. The roadway previously terminated at 16th Street and was extended south to Baseline Street as part of the first phase of a larger four-phase improvement project. On December 5, 2018, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-310 approving an agreement with Engineering Resources of Southern California (ERSC) to provide environmental clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and prepare Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the University Parkway extension between Baseline Street and 16th Street. The agreement was subsequently amended to provide additional design and construction support services.
On August 17, 2022, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-185 awarding the University Parkway Extension Phase 1 construction contract to Riverside Construction Company in the amount of $7,436,165 and authorizing related construction contingencies and engineering and inspection costs. The original roadway construction was completed in December 2023 and included construction of a raised median with stamped concrete between 16th Street and Baseline Street.
The original construction did not include the additional landscaping along the corridor, which was subsequently advanced as a separate Median and Streetscape Improvements Project.
The separate Median and Streetscape Improvements Project contemplated landscaping and automatic irrigation within the median and along both sides of University Parkway, including approximately 110 24-inch box trees, shrubs and other landscape improvements, and replacement of existing electric streetlights with solar streetlights. The project was advertised for public bidding on August 5, 2025, and nine sealed bids were received and opened on September 23, 2025. H L Hitchcock Construction, Inc. was identified as the lowest responsive bidder with a base bid of $1,011,835. The proposed construction award, together with contingency, resulted in a total estimated project cost of $1,129,835.
On January 21, 2026, the proposed construction award was presented to the Mayor and City Council. Council continued the matter to allow additional time to evaluate the bids, project costs, and market conditions. Prior to the item returning for award, H L Hitchcock Construction, Inc. formally withdrew its bid, citing current market conditions and material price escalation. Proceeding with the remaining bids was not considered feasible within the available project funding.
On June 3, 2026, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-066 rejecting the construction bids. The Council item identified several potential paths forward, including rebidding the existing design or proceeding with a new design process for the University Parkway landscaping project. In response to Council direction, staff began developing a revised drought-tolerant landscape concept intended to reduce irrigation needs, long-term maintenance requirements, and overall project costs while maintaining an attractive and cohesive appearance for the University Parkway corridor.
Discussion
The revised conceptual landscape plan was developed to provide an attractive streetscape along University Parkway while emphasizing drought tolerance, reduced long-term maintenance, water conservation, and compatibility with existing site conditions. Compared with the previous design, the concept reduces the amount and intensity of plant material and incorporates a drought-tolerant landscape palette consisting of Palo Verde trees, Blue Agave, Aloe ‘Blue Elf,’ Brittlebush, Golden Barrel Cactus, stabilized decomposed granite (DG), mixed aggregate, gray aggregate, cobbles, and natural boulders.
The design increases the use of decorative rock and aggregate treatments to provide visual interest while reducing areas requiring routine landscape maintenance.
Appropriate stabilizers and/or binders are proposed for decomposed granite and applicable decorative aggregate materials to help keep the materials in place and minimize displacement onto sidewalks and the roadway. The revised concept is also intended to eliminate the extensive permanent irrigation system included in the previous design. Establishment watering requirements and other necessary landscape establishment provisions will be evaluated and incorporated into the final construction documents.
Gateway monuments are incorporated near the entrance to the University Parkway corridor to enhance the visual identity of the roadway and provide a recognizable community gateway. On September 14, 2026, staff presented two conceptual alternatives to the Northwest PAC for review and input. Both alternatives incorporated substantially the same landscape palette and overall design approach; however, one alternative included gateway monuments and the other did not. The Northwest PAC expressed a preference for the alternative incorporating the gateway monuments.
Based on this input, staff is presenting a single conceptual design to the Mayor and City Council that includes the gateway monuments. If necessary, the monument features could be removed during final design as a potential cost-saving measure without substantially changing the remainder of the proposed landscape concept.
The project area is also subject to existing utility constraints. Previous design work required coordination with the Department of Water Resources due to an existing 96- inch water line located beneath the University Parkway right-of-way. Accordingly, the revised final design will require necessary verification and agency coordination before construction documents are completed. This coordination and review process is anticipated to take approximately 9 to 12 months.
Based on the current conceptual design, staff anticipates a preliminary construction cost in the range of approximately $500,000 to $700,000. A detailed Engineer’s Estimate will be prepared and refined as part of the final Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E).
The conceptual plan is being presented at this stage so that the Mayor and City Council may provide feedback and direction before the project proceeds into final design. Following Council direction, staff will coordinate with Engineering Resources of Southern California (ERSC) to define the additional professional design services necessary to revise and complete the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) based on the approved conceptual direction. Staff will return to the Mayor and City Council with a future staff report requesting approval of an amendment to ERSC’s Professional Services Agreement, as necessary, to authorize the additional design services and associated compensation. Following authorization, ERSC will complete the revised PS&E, required agency coordination, and other construction documents necessary to prepare the project for a future construction bidding process.
Strategic Targets and Goals
The University Parkway Landscaping Improvements Project supports Key Target No. 3d under Improved Quality of Life – Improve the City’s appearance, cleanliness and attractiveness. The proposed improvements will enhance the appearance of the University Parkway corridor through drought-tolerant, lower-maintenance landscaping, decorative hardscape treatments, and gateway features.
Fiscal Impact
No additional appropriation is requested as part of this action. Funding for the University Parkway project was previously appropriated through the Regional Circulation Fund. The current available project balance is approximately $1.14 million.
The existing project balance is anticipated to be sufficient to fund the remaining project activities, including the additional professional design services necessary to complete the revised Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), as well as the subsequent construction of the revised project. Accordingly, no additional project funding or appropriation is anticipated for either design or construction at this time.
Following Council direction, staff will coordinate with Engineering Resources of Southern California, Inc. (ERSC) to finalize the scope and fee for the additional design services. Final construction costs will be confirmed through the revised PS&E prior to advertising the project for construction.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, review the proposed conceptual landscape plan for the University Parkway Landscaping Improvements Project and provide direction to staff prior to proceeding with final design.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - University Parkway Landscaping Improvements Conceptual Landscape Design
Attachment 2 - Project Location Map
Ward:
Ward 6
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
June 3, 2026 – Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-066 rejecting construction bids for the University Parkway Extension – Median & Streetscape Improvements Project.
January 21, 2026 – Mayor and City Council considered the proposed construction contract award to H L Hitchcock Construction, Inc. and continued the matter to allow additional time for staff to evaluate the bids, project costs, and market conditions.
August 6, 2025 – Mayor and City Council authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 5 to the Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Resources of Southern California (ERSC), adding design and construction support services, including surveying.
August 17, 2022 – Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-185 authorizing construction, construction contingencies, and inspection costs for the University Parkway Extension Project (Phase 1).
December 5, 2018 – Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-310 approving an agreement with ERSC to provide environmental clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the University Parkway extension between Baseline Street and 16th Street.