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Report providing an update on the Linden Avenue Park project (project no. pk2305). (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive a report regarding the Conceptual Design of the Linden Avenue Park Project (project no. pk2305).
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Old Town neighborhood was identified in the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and 2022 General Plan as an area of concern for its lack of parks and open space. To address this need, funding was requested to transform 616 Linden Avenue and 700 Linden Avenue into a vibrant neighborhood park and cultural plaza for the community to enjoy. In early 2022, City staff submitted a $3,200,000 specified grant funding request to the State Department of Parks and Recreation for funding consideration in the 2022 budget to fund park improvements on these two parcels. The grant request was included in the Budget Act of 2022 signed by Governor Newsom and administered through the State Department of Parks and Recreation. The City was also awarded $830,000 in grant funding from the United States Land and Water Conservation Act grant program for costs associated with the acquisition of the properties from the Successor Agency.
In November 2023, the City engaged landscape architects from MIG Inc. of Berkeley, California to conduct community engagement, design, and prepare construction documents for the new park. In Spring 2024, the City and MIG launched a community design process to envision and design the new park at Linden and Pine Avenues. Through a series of public events, a community vision was developed, followed by input on two concept alternatives. During this process, the team learned about park priorities from neighbors and local businesses, followed the guidance of technical experts, and review by Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council.
In October 2024, City staff, the design team and project environmental consultant provided an update on the project to City Council which detailed the site history, environmental testing and findings which deemed the sites safe for development as a park. That report is included as an attachment.
Budget and Schedule:
The design and construction budget for the park is $5.5 million. Sources include $3.2 million from the State Parks, as noted above; $1.3 million from Park Fees (pk2305); and a $1 million developer community benefit contribution from the IQHQ development.
The project is tracking to the following budget:
• Soft Costs (design, permits and fees): $1,400,000
• Hard Costs (construction): $4,100,000
• Total Budget: $5,500,000
The project is tracking to the following schedule:
• Community Engagement and Design: Early 2024 - Early 2025
• Construction Documentation: Mid 2025 - Late 2025
• Bid and Construction: Early 2026 - Late 2026
• Opening: Late 2026
Preferred Conceptual Design:
The preferred concept design, which blends elements of earlier designs alternatives is inspired by traditional plazas around the world that are the heart of their communities, seeks to create a contemporary new plaza and active park for the Old Town Neighborhood of South San Francisco. The new park will provide spaces for large and small gatherings, offer recreation and play, and incorporate distinct art features reflective of the community.
The central plaza is the heart of the park, providing a community space for medium-to-large gatherings, such as a music or dance performance, outdoor exercise classes, or other community events. The gathering space can grow with the use of the adjacent lawns and expand to a larger event occasionally with a temporary closure of Linden Ave in coordination with neighbors and merchants. Smaller gathering and rest areas are also provided at benches and tables spread throughout the park.
A large flex lawn south of the plaza is sized to host a variety of activities such as casual sports, movie nights, and plaza overflow, with a small flex lawn north of the plaza for picnics or spillover activities from the play area, fitness area, or plaza. A small fitness area will offer outdoor exercise equipment, and the park provides space for games at the tables, lawn, or plaza. The fenced play area is designed to offer fun for all ages within a compact footprint, and includes the top elements desired by the community, including a climbing/sliding structure, group play features (spinner and facing “friendship” swing), tot slide and nature play (logs and boulders) at the edges.
Three art options are envisioned at the plaza, based on the community’s preferences for which types of art to include. The final budget for each piece will determine how many elements can be included. A public art process will follow in design development to select artists and artwork reflective of the community’s identity and heritage.
The community desired a safe, connected park with slower traffic, and were split on whether to make Pine Avenue a dead-end street or create a one-way connector. The final concept includes the one-way lane with two stop signs. This will slow down traffic and provide more parking access, while also allowing Pine Avenue vehicles to travel through to Linden Avenue.
Parking spots are provided at the edge of the park for park users and local residents and to support local businesses. As design development moves forward, the City will be reviewing allowable parking times, use of meters, and loading zones.
New lighting within the park will build upon the existing street lighting along Linden Avenue. Sight lines will be maintained between tree canopies and lower ground plane plantings to ensure visibility into the park. The new one-way lane connecting Pine Avenue to Seventh Lane is narrow with stop signs to help slow traffic. Vehicular bollards at the curve and street parking spaces offer further separation from park uses.
A public restroom (and its associated utility costs) was not in the initial park budget, but the design team learned it was an important feature for park visitors’ comfort and to reduce reliance on adjacent businesses. Space for a portable restroom will be provided at a minimum. The cost to prepare for a future restroom is estimated at $150,000, and to install a permanent restroom ranging between $750,000 and $1,000,000 design and installation. Staff is exploring a rented restroom facility, which includes ongoing maintenance and repairs as needed. A comparison of the upfront capital cost and estimated maintenance costs over a 20-year lifecycle are included in Attachment 1.
New trees and drought-tolerant/native plants with water-efficient irrigation will provide shade and offer a comfortable, green backdrop for the park. Stormwater will be directed to bioretention areas to slow and filter runoff.
Community Engagement
The concept design has been shared with the community through the following events:
• Open House #3: March 1
• Youth Commission: March 3
• Merchant Roundtable #3: March 7
• Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: March 19
• SSF Property Business Improvement District Steering Committee: March 21
The concept design is posted at the park kiosks and available on the project webpage at www.ssf.net/parkprojects.
Below is a summary of feedback received to date.
General Comments
• Both open house visitors and nearby business owners are excited to have a new community space in the neighborhood.
• Overall happiness for the kids to have a new playground within walking distance.
• Looking forward to improved facilities such as the restroom and more seating opportunities.
• Questions and concerns relate to soil quality, traffic and park operations (parking enforcement, safety, and security).
Parks and Recreation Commission Comments
• Advised that a restroom is critical. Consider two stalls and a baby changing station.
• Consider more activities and programming for teens, possibly expanding the exercise area.
• Project team answered specific questions on park features, safety, parking.
• Excited about the upcoming development of the art and like the idea of local artists.
• The commission was complementary about the process and how feedback was incorporated into the design. Excited about the park, which is a long time coming.
Art Themes
• Excited to showcase cultural themes and to bring a unique identity to the new park.
• History of South San Francisco and Old Town, particularly the immigrant, Latino and Native American contributions.
• Interactive, STEM-based, and musical art pieces.
• Desire to work with local artists.
Environmental Review
As the entity responsible for carrying out the proposed project, the City is also responsible for examining and disclosing the environmental effects of the proposed project and determining the environmental analysis required for the project to evaluate any impacts. The City has engaged Environmental Consultants SWCA to perform an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) of the project to evaluate issues such as noise, traffic, cultural resources, and other environmental factors to determine whether the project would result in significant environmental impacts, and to develop appropriate and feasible mitigation measures.
If the approach and amenities presented in this report meet with City Council approval, the design team will move into the schematic design phase. Cost estimates will be refined, and the team will endeavor to maximize park features wherever possible. Staff will keep City Council apprised as design refinements are made.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is included in the City of South San Francisco’s fiscal year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program. The additional funding for restroom would likely be coming from Park Construction Fund. At the direction of the Council, we will come back to request additional appropriation.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this action will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan. It aligns with Priority #2, which is focused on enhancing quality of life by building and maintaining a sustainable city, making the city a great place to live, learn and play.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council review the Conceptual Design of the Linden Avenue Park Project (Project No. pk2305), provide direction on an approach for a restroom and authorize staff to move forward with schematic design.