TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit grant applications to California State Parks through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008, for the development of the following: soccer fields at Drake/Chavez Greenbelt, at a total estimated cost of $2,513,000; a new park at 2755 Orange Avenue (Longview Park), at a total estimated cost of $2,829,000; a new park at 7th Street and Alamitos Avenue (Armory Park), at a total estimated cost of $2,833,281; and the acquisition and development of a new park at 14th Street and Long Beach Boulevard (14th Street Gateway Park), at a total estimated cost of $1,685,200. (Districts 1,7)
DISCUSSION
On November 7, 2006, California voters passed the $54 billion Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84), to provide capital funding for water quality and park programs. Subsequent enabling legislation authorized $368 million in Proposition 84 grant funding for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008 (Park Development Program).
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is proposing to apply for $9,860,481 in grant funding through the Park Development Program for the development of four parks. Please note that the park names (Longview, Armory, and 14th Street Gateway) are merely placeholder names. If funded, staff will follow proper procedures for officially naming these parks.
1) Phase 1 of the Drake/Chavez Greenbelt - $2,513,000. Over the past several years, PRM held several public meetings to develop the concept design for the Drake/Chavez Greenbelt project, which will link Drake Park to Cesar E. Chavez Park along the lower Los Angeles River (Attachment A). The concept design will add 26 new park acres to create a 58-acre park with amenities such as a new community center, community gardens, a four-acre wetland area, soccer fields, handball courts, playground equipment, and park landscaping. As the project is both large in acreage and public amenities, PRM proposes to develop the project in phases, with the first phase being the application of grant funding for the creation of two turf soccer fields in the northern area of the proposed park area. Currently, there are only 0.19 park acres per 1,000 residents within a one-half mile radius of the site, which is far below the citywide goal of eight acres of open space per 1,000 residents.
2) A new park at 2755 Orange Avenue (Longview Park) - $2,829,000. The proposed new three-acre park will be located on a knoll with a sweeping panoramic view from downtown Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles at the former sports park site (Attachment B). The proposed park will be passive in nature and a place where the public will be able to enjoy activities such as picnicking and enjoying the outdoors and beautiful view with friends and neighbors. In addition, the park will serve as the Orange Avenue anchor for a future trail system that is proposed for the 50-acre California Gardens site, which will incorporate the development of a wildlife habitat area with interpretive signage.
3) A new park at 7th Street and Alamitos Avenue (Armory Park) - $2,833,281. The proposed 0.84-acre park is located at the triangular intersection of Alamitos Avenue, Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, 7th Street, and 6th Street (Attachment C). Reconfiguration of the existing intersection through a Public Works project will result in a 0.84-acre parcel that will serve the Hellman area neighborhood, a community that currently has no park acreage. In addition, the park will create a central open space between several local cultural institutions, and will improve aesthetics at an important entry point into downtown Long Beach.
4) A new park at 14th Street and Long Beach Boulevard (14th Street Gateway Park) - $1,685,200. This project includes the acquisition and development of the final segment of 14th Street Park (Attachment D). The project will create much-needed additional park and open space in a very diverse section of Long Beach, and will create a gateway to 14th Street Park from Long Beach Boulevard.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 20, 2011, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 25, 2011.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total direct development costs of each project, as well as annual estimated maintenance costs, are as follows:
The availability of General Fund revenue to support costs for new park maintenance services for these projects, or the reallocation of current funding away from existing park maintenance services to support these projects, will need to be considered in the context of structural deficits and budget balancing solutions that will be required for future years.
Grant funding will offset 100 percent of the project development costs. The grants do not require matching funds or in-kind services. City staff time for eligible project management can be charged directly to these projects in order to recover allowable administrative costs. Should the grant applications be selected for funding, a recommendation will be made to the City Council to accept the grants and appropriate the funding. There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 14, 2011, in order to submit the grant applications to California State Parks by their due date of July 1, 2011.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR STATEWIDE PARK PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER