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Home My WebLink About2002-03-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - CMTY CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Apprc Item to be Presented DATE: March 26, 2002 SUBJECT: COMMUNITY CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION Adele Macpherson City Council amend the City's contract with RRM Design Group for a Community Center Feasibility Study, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. City Council approve transfer of $49,900 from account number 1240-7401 to account number 7411-8110. BACKGROUND In 1994, the City Council established the Community Center to service the downtown Newhall area of the City. The Community Center is currently located in a 7,000 square foot converted warehouse located at 24406 San Fernando Road, Newhall, and is leased by the City at an annual cost in excess of $100,000 per year. The location of the current Community Center has many problems including inadequate parking, a leaking roof, inadequate restroom facilities, and problems with rodent control. These problems make it increasingly difficult to allow staff to meet the programming needs of the Center's clients. Considerable discussion about the Community Center has taken place in recent months at the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, and staff levels. Staff continues to meet with community members who are dedicated to obtaining a new location for the City's Community Center. It is the desire of all parties concerned to establish a high quality Community Center that meets the needs of those who program and use it. It is the opinion of staff that a new site for a Community Center needs to be secured. At the March 5, 2002 Study Session, staff had discussions with the Council regarding alternatives for the Community Center, including relocation. At the Study Session, needs for the Community Center were reviewed, including the following requirements: n�G Agenda Item y iLLi � i yY v� �YSYd py Q �M • A safe site within walking distance for residents • A service area for east Newhall residents from Market Street to Sierra Highway • Separate rooms for multi -faceted programming • Ample parking • Space for an outdoor play area Staff has conducted extensive research on potential sites for a Community Center in the Newhall area, comparing size and cost of sites with ability to meet programming requirements and proximity to transit and pedestrian access needs. In researching viable short and long- term options for a new site, staff has determined that a short-term site is needed for approximately two years, while a long-term site is purchased, designed, and built. City staff researched eight possible Community Center sites. Two sites meet all of the criteria; the Anawalt property located at 22427 Market Street, and the Kinnen property located at 24029 San Fernando Road. Both of these sites are challenging, having issues related to geology, soils, and easements. Staff has conducted a community assessment to determine the needs of the clients served by the current Community Center; however, a feasibility study is also needed to determine what sites can support the use, what type of space is required to support the programming, and the functionality of current or future space. The feasibility study will include public participation, site analysis, and a review of programming needs and corresponding requirements. The study will then overlay these requirements on to the physical constraints of the sites to provide the City with information on the best site for a future Community Center. The City currently has a contract with RRM Design Group to provide for a variety of planning related services, including architectural review. Since RRM has expertise in siting community facilities and significant knowledge of issues in Santa Clarita, staff feels that the extension of RRM's scope of services will provide the City with the information it requires prior to siting a Community Center. Staff is requesting $49,900 from the Council contingency fund to support the Community Center feasibility study. ALTERNATE ACTION: Other action as determined by Council. FISCAL IMPACT: The Community Center feasibility study would require $49,900 from the City Council contingency fund. The balance in the contingency funds after approval of this budget transfer will be $98,706. ATTACHMENTS Memorandum to the City Council dated March 5, 2002, discussing proposed short and long- term sites for the City's Community Center. Council\Agnrt,s\2002\Co..Ctr.doc CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: George A. Caravalho, City Manager DATE: March 5, 2002 SUBJECT: PROPOSED SHORT- AND LONG-TERM SITES FOR CITY S COMMUNITY CENTER RECOMMENDED ACTION • Receive the report and provide staff with direction on the short- and long-term options. BACKGROUND The Community Center is currently located in a 7,000 square foot converted warehouse located at 24406 San Fernando Road, Newhall, and is leased by the City at an annual cost in excess of $100,000 per year. The site has a leaking roof, inadequate parking, and sub- standard restrooms. Recently, community members expressed their deep concerns and interest in obtaining an improved Community Center to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council. Staff continues to meet with community members who are dedicated to obtaining a new location for the City's Community Center. Staff believes the City should consider alternatives for the Community Center including relocation. At this time, relocation appears to offer the best opportunity to deal with the issues in Newhall. A safe, new site within walking distance for residents would include the following: • Allow service to the east Newhall residents from Market Street to Sierra Highway. • Provide separate rooms for multi -faceted programming. • Ample parking. • Outdoor play area. In researching viable short- and long-term options for a new site, staff has determined that a short-term site is needed for approximately two years, while a long-term site is purchased, designed, and built. City staff researched eight possible Community Center sites. The most promising options are: Short -Term Site Options (0-2 years) A) Renovate Existing Site Repair and renovation to existing site would cost approximately $150,000 to repair the roof, replace carpeting, upgrade parking lot, and expand restrooms. Parking would remain inadequate and there would be less programmable space due to expansion of the restrooms. B) Anawalt Property — 22427 Market Street This site is 4.79 acres and includes an 11,000 square foot warehouse -type structure, which can accommodate Community Center programs and participants. It is estimated that expenditures of approximately $240,000 would be necessary to bring the facility into code compliance. The Anawalt property would serve the existing Community Center participants, provide ample parking, and offer an additional 4,000 square feet of building space. Permission from federal grant transit funding sources may be required to utilize the building as a temporary location. Long -Term Site Options A) Kinnen Property — 23950 San Fernando Road This site is 8.5 acres, of which an estimated 3 acres are buildable. This site is particularly challenging, with multiple easements and adjacent creekbeds on two sides of the property. There are numerous benefits to this location, which include: • Ability to broaden the target service area to include latchkey and disenfranchised youth east of Valle de Oro. • Regional, County, and City connection to the trails system. • Easy access to Creekview Park. • Access to approved McGrath Elementary School. A study to determine the viability of the Kinnen property needs to be conducted, along with a master plan for a new Community Center. B) Anawalt Site To utilize the Anawalt site on a long-term basis, the existing structure would have to be demolished, parking on the southwest corner relocated, and a new building designed and constructed in that corner. For a long-term Community Center on the Anawalt site, the creek would need full mitigation and approval must be granted by the federal transit funding agency. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS • Other direction as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT To be determined by City Council direction. ATTACHMENTS GIS maps of proposed sites. DB:ada council\study session\community center.doc