HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-02 - AGENDA REPORTS - REDEVELOPMENT OLD TOWN NEWHALL (2)Agenda Item: /
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: and Members of the City Council
FROM: rKK/,en;iVne ty Manager
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DATE: June 2, 2009
SUBJECT: REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN OLD TOWN NEWHALL
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council obtain information regarding the status of various Redevelopment Agency
(Agency) activities currently taking place in Old Town Newhall and have an opportunity to tour
the area.
BACKGROUND
With the City Council's adoption of the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan (DNSP) in December
2005, the Redevelopment Agency has been working towards implementing various components
of DNSP. A number of exciting projects included in the plan, such as streetscape improvements,
development of a larger and more modern public library, and future affordable housing/mixed-
use projects, will pave the way for the revitalization of Old Town Newhall, creating an Arts and
Entertainment District for the community at large.
The City Council awarded the construction bid in February 2009 for the streetscape
improvements, which will include the installation of a storm drain system from Lyons Avenue to
5th Street, as well as paving, curb and gutter construction, access ramps, and signing and
striping. The bid will also make several aesthetic beautifications possible in Old Town Newhall,
like a wood boardwalk, street lamps, walkway pavers, planters, benches, planting and irrigation,
and other decorative features along Main Street's walkway. It is anticipated that these
improvements will come to fruition from 6`h Street to 8`h street by mid summer, 2009.
Accordingly, as the streetscape improvements continue to take shape, the City Council also
approved the award of a design contract to MNS Engineers at the May 12 Council Meeting. The
design contract will facilitate construction plans and specifications for the Newhall Avenue
roundabout at Newhall and Main Street. The roundabout will greatly streamline the flow of
traffic and will create a sense of destination and entryway to Old Town Newhall.. It is anticipated
that the design and second phase of the public participation process on this particular project may
take up to a year.
Furthermore, a full design contract, awarded to LPA Architects by the City Council on April 24,
2009, will complete plans and specifications for the new Newhall Library. The project continues
to move forward, as LPA Architects submitted the first draft of the schematic design to the City
for review on May 15`h. The new library will be four times the size of the existing library and
will be a community gathering place for years to come.
The Redevelopment Agency is actively monitoring the progress of the streetscape improvements,
moving forward with the the full design of the library and the roundabout, along with continuing
negotiations with interested developers to build high quality, state -of -the art, affordable housing
mixed-use projects in Old Town Newhall. These enhancements and development opportunities
will contribute to the renaissance of Old Town Newhall, making it the Arts and Entertainment
destination location that the community will undoubtedly benefit from.
The June 2, 2009 study session has been designed to provide the City Council with an update on
the various redevelopment activities mentioned above along with a walking -tour to observe the
progress of the streetscape improvements. Redevelopment Agency staff will discuss the unique
elements of the streetscape improvements, show how the roundabout will physically attribute to
the revitalization of Old Town Newhall, and share with City Council plans for potential future
projects. The Study Session will end with site visits of potential redevelopment project areas.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
No other alternative action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the Study Session.