HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - VETERANS MEMORIAL (2)AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager
Item to be presentee. Dy:
John Danielson
DATE: June 9, 1998
SUBJECT: PROPOSED VETERAN'S MEMORIAL
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Review, comment, and refer to Parks and Recreation Commission.
BACKGROUND
On May 1, 1991, the City Council approved matching funds for the Historical Veteran's
Memorial up to $40,000. The total estimated cost was $80,000 in 1991. The memorial itself
was conceptualized as the community's effort to recognize the contribution of veterans to
our nation's safety and security. The Committee was to work closely with the City Council
and staff to design the memorial and proceed with its implementation.
The Historical Veteran's Memorial Committee vigorously attempted to raise funds for the
project. Unfortunately, the City received only $1,630.88, and the shortfall in funding
postponed implementation of the project. The City received the last donation in June of
1991. Additionally, on November 8, 1992, another Veteran's Memorial was placed at
Eternal Valley Memorial Park (see Attachment A).
In April 1998, Vera and Warren Johnson, founders and original members of the Historical
Veteran's Memorial Committee, approached the City with a new concept for development of
the memorial. The memorial would be representedas a small park built on the triangular
shaped lot of vacant land bounded by Newhall Avenue, Market Street, and Walnut Street,
which is within the downtown Newhall Redevelopment District .(see Attachment B).
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have requested that should this sight not be acceptable, then an
alternative one for Council's consideration would be the Newhall Square off San Fernando
Road and Market Street. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are further requesting that Council amend
its original agreement and fund the balance of the amount required to build the Memorial
(approximately $93,600 in 1998 dollars) as well as land acquisition costs, estimated to be
$250,000.
Agenda t tit /
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At the May 1998 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Mr. Johnson presented his
concept of the new Historical Veteran's Memorial. The Commission requested that staff
include the Historical Veteran's Memorial in an upcoming report to the Commission on the
status of all undeveloped park sites within the City. The Parks and Recreation Commission
will hear staffs report in August 1998.
There are currently four undeveloped and unfunded City -owned parcels which are
designated as future park sites. The community has expressed a strong desire to develop
these sights, as funds become available. The Commission stated it would be difficult to
demonstrate how funding for the Historical Veteran's Memorial should supercede already
identified park development projects. Additionally, staff noted the City's historical policy of
not accepting potential sites, nor assuming maintenance responsibilities for parks, which
are less than five acres in size.
ALTERNATIAVE ACTIONS
Other direction as determined by City Council.
FISCAL rMPACT
Original estimates for the Canyon Country project totaled $80,000 in 1991. This amount
will change based on Council's direction for the size, location, scope, and purchase price of
the property.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Photographs of Santa Clarita Valley Veteran's Memorial at Eternal Valley
Attachment B: Map of proposed location
Brief History about the Founders
Rough sketch of Historical Veteran's Memorial Park
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P.O. Box 91, Santa Clarita, CA 91322 - Warren K. Johnson, Chairman 252-5805
jointly funded by the City, businesses and citizens of Santa Clarita
26534 Oak Crossing Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
HISTORICAL VETERANS' MEMORIAL PARK
1. BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
A: In the summer of 1990 Vera and Warren Johnson conceived
the concept of redeveloping Downtown. Newhall into a historic district.
They collected postcards from Victoria, B.C., Seattle Washington,
Eureka, and'Ferndale,, California of the Victorian architecture. Crafts,
art galleries„ boutiques, gift, shops, etc. were included`. In Newhall
Warren tookr:'photas around Victorian. Square. He assembled a presentation
of these elements, focusing on the 'area. of San Fernando Road, Lyons
Ave., and NewhallT Ave -Nand` called" this the SILVERa TRIANGLE.
B. Warren gaue".this, presentation, to. the Board" ofDirectors
of the Historical Society,.. They unanimously approved the concepts
and established a committee under the leadership, of Carol Rock,
Chair of Restoration. The committee gathered information as to how
this could be made possible.
C. In the Fall, a few members of this committee: Carol Rock,
Paul Kreutzer, and Sandy Forbes made the- Historical Downtown Newhall
presentation to City Manager George Caravalho who liked the ideas
so much he wanted to extend the. area's boundaries. The rest you
know.
D. In 1991 Warren designed the Historical Veterans Memorial
and came to George Caravalho, then. the City Council with a request
that they fund its construction. They required that a committee
be formed to review the design.. Modifications were' agreed to and
the Council decided to fund $40 M after the community had donated
the first $44 M. The design review committee became the Historical
Veterans' :Memorial Comm. Severely challenged with soliciting funds
during a%recession,. thea Committee failed its impossible task -
E. `'About 4 yearsago the Historical Society moved the Pardee
house fromAts site bordered. by Newhall Ave., Walnut and Market
Streets, to 'Its present site at Heritage Junction.. r The land is still
vacant but for sale by the Amidi Partnership in Menlo Park, CA.
Mr. Amidi likes the Historical Veterans' Memorial Park concept and
Is willing to be generous in working out a financial arrangement'
with the City that may involve a purchase or a lease.
11. DETAILS OF THE HISTORICAL VETERANS MEMORIAL: PARK CONCEPT
A. We want this park to serve three purposes: Beauty, Function,
and Historical interest. In spite of its small size' it can be successful
In all three. These additions to a well landscaped site are suggested:
1. The Historical Veterans'. Memorial with lights for at night.
This could be an educational resource. it will have portraits of
men and women in uniform from the major wars America has been
in from the Revolution to the Gulf War sand -blasted and whited into
black granite panels covering an eliptical shape. Other panels will
show the Liberty Bell, the Great Seal of the U.S., a message of
peace, and a tribute to veterans by the people of Santa Clarita.
Page two of park presentation
2. A victorian water fountain and pond
3. A historical marker for the site's history as part of the
self -guided tour of Historical Downtown Newhall
4. A Victorian band -stand
5. Antique street lights with hanging flower baskets inside
the park perimeter.
The park could be used for education, musical pleasure, arts and
crafts, a community forum, and meetings of public interest in addition
to attracting seniors and families.
Historical Veterans' Memorial Park
Contact: Warren Johnson 252-5805 after 5:15 P.M.
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