TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Amber Shah, Parks & Public Works Director/City Engineer DATE: September 9, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH LOC ARCHITECTS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$135,330 FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR
THE LACY PARK OFFICE RENOVATION PROJECT
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
On May 29, 2026, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets. As part of the CIP budget, the City Council appropriated $250,000 for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project. The project is intended to address significant deficiencies in the existing Parks & Public Works office facility at Lacy Park and modernize the interior of the building to better support current City operations.
The existing facility was originally constructed in the 1930s and has numerous deferred maintenance and operational deficiencies, including deteriorating interior walls, outdated flooring, aging plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems, moisture-related concerns, and accessibility deficiencies. The building also lacks sufficient office space and restroom accommodations to adequately support current staffing.
The facility was identified as a contributor to the historic character of Lacy Park in the City's 2020 Historic Resources Survey. Accordingly, the project is intended to preserve the exterior appearance and historic integrity of the structure, with improvements focused primarily on the interior, building Tony Chou, Mayor
Calvin Lo, Vice Mayor
Hunter Chang, Council Member
John Chou, Council Member
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Council Member
systems, accessibility, and other necessary code-related upgrades rather than changes to the building's exterior.
The renovation is anticipated to include reconfiguration and modernization of staff work areas; improvements to locker room and restroom facilities; accessibility upgrades; electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other building system improvements; fire and life-safety improvements; site drainage improvements, and seismic strengthening. The project will also address the lack of ADA-compliant accessible parking and accessible path of travel to the building. Construction is currently anticipated in FY 2027-28, with a preliminary construction cost estimate of approximately $1,000,000.
The first step in implementing the project is to retain an architectural design team to evaluate existing conditions and develop a comprehensive design for the renovation. The architectural services will include project programming, conceptual and schematic design, design development, preparation of construction documents, permitting and bid support, and coordination with the City's staff.
To procure these professional services through a competitive and transparent process, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through its electronic procurement platform on February 6, 2026. Four (4) proposals were received by the March 4, 2026 submittal deadline. Following evaluation of the proposals, interviews with the responding firms, and reference checks, staff recommend approval of a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with LOC Architects (LOC).
DISCUSSION
The City received four (4) proposals in response to the RFP for architectural design services for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project:
• Dunbar Architecture
• LOC Architects
• ONYX Architects, Inc.
• Studio T-SQ, Inc.
Staff evaluated the proposals based on the firms' qualifications and relevant experience, understanding of the project, proposed approach, and ability to successfully deliver the required services. Separate cost proposals submitted by the firms ranged from $99,705 to $266,550. Interviews were also conducted as part of the selection process.
In accordance with California Government Code Section 4526, the selection of architectural and engineering professional services is based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of the required services and is not based solely on cost.
Accordingly, staff's evaluation focused primarily on qualifications, relevant experience, project understanding, and the firms' proposed approaches to successfully delivering the project.
Based on the overall evaluation, staff recommend LOC Architects for the project. LOC demonstrated relevant experience with renovation and adaptivereuse projects involving office, locker room, restroom, and other staff-oriented spaces. Of particular relevance is LOC's 18,000-square-foot renovation of Building G for Southern California Gas Company, which included offices, conference rooms, lockers, and restrooms serving both field and office personnel. LOC also recently completed a 2,750-square-foot interior remodel of dressing rooms and support spaces at the historic Hollywood Bowl and has experience with adaptive reuse through the conversion of an existing building into its own 1,200-square-foot office.
LOC's proposal also demonstrated an understanding of the specific challenges associated with the Lacy Park project, including the need to improve accessibility and code compliance, address aging building systems, accommodate office and locker room functions within a limited footprint, and maintain the building's existing character. Its proposed approach includes early evaluation of existing conditions and applicable code requirements, development of practical layout alternatives, coordination of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, fire protection, and environmental disciplines, and cost modeling at key design milestones.
The firm's approach is particularly responsive to the City's need to balance the project's preliminary construction budget with the significant improvements required for the aging facility. LOC proposes identifying code, accessibility, structural, and hazardous-material considerations early in the design process and providing coordinated construction documents intended to minimize construction uncertainty and reduce the potential for costly change orders during construction.
As part of the selection process, staff also conducted reference checks for LOC Architects. The references contacted by staff provided positive feedback regarding the firm's performance, responsiveness, professionalism, communication, and ability to successfully deliver projects. The reference checks further supported staff's assessment that LOC has the experience and capabilities necessary to perform the required services for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project.
Based on the firm's relevant renovation and adaptive-reuse experience, qualifications of the proposed project team, understanding of the project requirements, proposed approach to managing scope and code requirements, consultant coordination, and construction costs, as well as the positive feedback received through reference checks, staff believe LOC Architects is well qualified to provide the architectural design services required for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The adopted FY 2026-27 budget includes an appropriation of $250,000 for the Lacy Park Office Renovation in Account No. 394-50-4600-7011 LOC Architects' proposal in the amount of $135,330 is within the amount identified in the CIP for architectural design services. Sufficient funds are available to proceed with the proposed design services.
Construction is currently anticipated in FY 2027-28, with a preliminary construction cost estimate of approximately $1,000,000. A separate funding appropriation and construction procurement process will be presented to the City Council at the appropriate time.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement for architectural design services for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project with LOC, Inc. in the amount of $135,330 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. If the Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to approve a Professional Services Agreement for architectural design services for the Lacy Park Office Renovation project with LOC, Inc. in the amount of $135,330 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Professional Services Agreement
2. LOC Architects Pricing Proposal
3. LOC Architects Proposal Without Cost
4. Lacy Park Office Renovation CIP Form