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Report regarding a resolution awarding a Consulting Services Agreement to SSF Landscape Architects of South San Francisco, California for landscape design services for the Cypress and Pine Park Renovation Project in an amount not to exceed $200,000 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement. (Felipe Ruiz, Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving a Consulting Services Agreement with SSF Landscape Architects of South San Francisco, California for landscape design services for the Cypress and Pine Park Renovation Project in an amount not to exceed $200,000 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Cypress and Pine Park is located in the Old Town / Downtown neighborhood, and remains one of the parks most in need of improvements. In the Capital Improvement Program budget, staff requested funding to renovate this park in the amount of $3,000,000 - which will be used for construction costs. This report is specifically for design and plan development for the new park.
Cypress and Pine Park serves a densely populated area of the city. The park was last substantially renovated in 2000. It is above street grade on the southern and eastern sides, hampering visibility from the street. The retaining wall in this area is deteriorating. The basketball courts are used by teens and young adults, but in disrepair. The playground is also in poor condition. At just .3 acres, the park includes:
● An open turf area
● A children’s play area
● Picnic tables
● Two half-court basketball courts
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. This densely populated area is considered one of South San Francisco’s most socio-economically diverse communities.
While additional community engagement will take place as the project advances, for planning and cost estimating purposes, a renovated Cypress and Pine Park project may include the following elements:
1. Play area
a. Examples: playground structures, interactive elements, rock climbing wall.
2. Recreational spaces
a. Examples: game tables, exercise stations, yoga and tai chi spaces.
3. Sports court
a. Examples: basketball courts, and futsal courts.
4. Gathering/seating areas
a. Examples: entertainment, markets, fairs, leisure, and gathering spaces; tables with seating, and shaded areas.
5. Opportunities for public art that are representative of the community.
The exact program elements and design will be informed by numerous community engagement and listening sessions, in English and Spanish at a minimum.
Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January 2025. Twenty firms downloaded the proposal packet. Proposals were due on April 1, with 10 firms submitting proposals.
All 10 proposals were reviewed by a panel of five staff consisting of the Director of Capital Projects, Deputy Director of Capital Projects, Director of Parks and Recreation, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, and the Parks Manager.
Members of the panel rated the interviews in the following areas:
1. Community Engagement
2. Public Art
3. Site Specific Considerations
4. Operations and Maintenance
5. Project Management and Experience
Based on the scoring, and overall consensus of the panel, staff engaged SSF Landscape Architects, resulting in a negotiated fee of $200,000, which is 5% less than the next most affordable proposal. Additionally award of this project is based on the factors noted above, most notably successful performance with similar projects, and the outstanding breadth of community engagement, with multiple bi-lingual design professionals on the project team.
Moving forward with the SSF Landscape Architects team now allows staff to maintain the anticipated schedule for the project, which is scheduled to complete construction by the end of 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the budget. This project is included in the City of South San Francisco’s Capital Improvement Program and there are sufficient funds to award the Consulting Services Agreement. Design and a portion of construction cost will be funded by Park Fees, which may only be used for park construction.
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 our city a great place to live, learn and play.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with SSF Landscape Architects based on their qualifications and experience.