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Capital Projects Update (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on the Centennial Way Park South, Oyster Point IIC, Karyl Matsumoto Plaza, Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center and the New Park at Linden and Pine projects.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Centennial Way Park South
During the month of September, the contractor completed construction of the nature play area, remaining pathways, installed signage and prepared the site for opening. The lawn area along with trees and the majority of shrubs and groundcover were installed. South San Francisco Building Department signed off on the building permit the week of September 23. With a list of outstanding items to finish and/or correct, a letter of Substantial Completion was issued to the general contractor on Friday, September 27.
Construction fencing was removed by the contractor the morning of Sunday, September 29 followed by a Ribbon Cutting Celebration from 10:00 a.m. - noon. The celebration was attended by elected officials, commissioners, funders and members of the community. Since opening the park amenities have been well used by the community. An article praising the skate area was published on SFGate on October 3: <https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/south-san-francisco-skate-park-19811664.php>. A temporary recognition plaque installed on a granite block along the trail will be replaced with a permanent bronze plaque next month.
The park remains open while the contractor addresses punch list items over the coming weeks.
Oyster Point IIC
The notice to proceed for construction was issued to GECMS, Inc. in January 2024. Construction is advancing as the contractor continues installation of pathways, site furnishings and signage. Trees, shrubs, groundcover and irrigation installation is underway. The upper parking lot is open. The north-south connector of the Bay Trail is anticipated to open in late October. Construction is scheduled to be complete by late November with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony planned to coincide with the annual Thanksgiving Fun Run event on Saturday, November 23.
Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center
The notice to proceed for construction was issued to Wickman Development and Construction in April 2024. Excavation and stock piling of soils took place in August and September. Geotech fabric is being installed in layers and backfilled with stockpiled soil. Trucks will be rotating soils on site; no off-haul of soils is anticipated. Trucks entering or exiting the site will be flagged in / out of the site by flagmen. This work will continue into the month of November. PG&E utility work crossing Tennis Drive is nearing completion. A live camera feed of construction activities is available on the project webpage.
Karyl Matsumoto Plaza
During the month of September, the contractor completed installation of the interpretive signage and site furnishing along with remaining plant material. The South San Francisco Building Department signed-off on the building permit the week of September 15. The contractor removed construction fencing the morning of Saturday, September 21, with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration held at 10:00 a.m. that morning. The celebration was attended by current and past elected officials, members of the community and coincided with a system-wide celebration hosted by Caltrain celebrating the electrification of their train system. A temporary recognition plaque installed at the tunnel entrance to the station will be replaced with a permanent bronze plaque next month.
The plaza remains open to the public while the contractor completes installation and testing of site and art lighting over the coming weeks.
Linden Park Project
The following activities have taken place in recent weeks to solicit community feedback and progress concept design development.
• National Night Out Tabling Event - August 6
On Tuesday, August 6, South San Francisco staff and the design team hosted a table at National Night Out at the Paradise Valley Recreation Center. About 20 neighbors stopped by to review community input from the project's Visioning Phase and learn about upcoming public events to weigh in on two design alternatives. Additionally, firefighters, police officers, and waste management staff were among the attendees, and shared their ideas on several possible street configurations.
• Movie in the Park Pop-Up Event - August 16
On Friday, August 16, City staff and the design team hosted a pop-up station at South San Francisco's Movie Night in the Park, held at Martin Elementary School from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. About 25 people evaluated the two design concepts, providing valuable feedback to help guide the final design.
• Open House & Listening Session - August 24
On Saturday, August 24, South San Francisco staff and the design team hosted an Open House from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the future park site (700 Linden Ave). Approximately 60 people visited the event tents, where staff gave an overview of the concepts, answered questions, and recorded comments. Participants were also encouraged to take a bilingual online survey either on their own phones or on the iPad provided with staff assistance.
• South San Francisco Youth Commission - September 9
On Monday, September 9, South San Francisco staff presented an update of the park project to the Youth Commission. Printed copies of the survey and links to the online survey were provided to the Commission.
• Concert in the Park -September 21
On Saturday, September 21, the South San Francisco staff and design team attended the Concert at the Park at Orange Memorial Park. Approximately 40 people visited the tent and provided feedback. The design team provided an overview of the two alternative park concepts, answered questions, recorded comments, and provided the online survey to interested participants. The bilingual survey was provided to participants on iPads or paper.
• Merchants' Round Table - September 27
On Friday, September 27 the San Francisco staff, including the Fire Chief, and design team hosted a second Merchants’ Round Table event. Five local business owners attended the event held in Amoura’s restaurant across the street from the park area. The participating business owners sat down with City Staff and the design team to discuss concerns, including traffic circulation, emergency access, and parking strategies.
• Centennial Way Park South Grand Opening - September 29
On Sunday, September 29, the South San Francisco staff and design team attended the Centennial Way Park South Grand Opening. Approximately 20 people visited the tent and provided valuable feedback. The design team informed participants about the two alternative park concepts, answered questions, recorded comments, and shared the online survey with passersby. Several informed participants took the survey on their mobile devices and the provided iPads.
• Morelos Hall - September 29
On Sunday, September 29, a representative from the design team presented the park concepts of the Sociedad Mutualista Mexicana de Morelos, also known as Morelos Hall. The meeting was a regular monthly meeting and approximately 25 people attended. The presenter informed visitors in Spanish about the two alternative park concepts and described the differences between each design. Participants asked questions about each concept and offered some suggestions, participants were also encouraged to fill out a survey after the event.
Information about the events and surveys were included in email communications, Park and Recreation e-newsletters, posted at kiosks at 700 Linden, mailed and hand delivered to nearby businesses and residents. A project update will be presented with City Council on October 23 with the staff, project designers, environmental scientist, traffic engineer and representative for San Mateo County Health Department available to answer project related questions and address community concerns.