Editor:
Recognizing that field space for our community is imperative, as City Manager, I’m recommending immediate funding to design a "temporary" multi-use sports field in the Civic Center with synthetic turf, fencing, lighting and portable restrooms. It is premature to program construction funding for three reasons: (1) the design process will give us a much more accurate estimate of the project’s actual construction cost (currently reflected as $3.25m in FY18-19); (2) we will be working with our partners at the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District on opportunities for joint use and perhaps some form of joint funding; and (3) we will need to work with the Coastal Commission and the County Courts on strategies for addressing the loss of parking in the Civic Center and coastal area.
I have heard from a number of community members that the time line to start construction of the field is too far out. Constructing a field is many facets. We have put together the following rough and very accelerated planning and construction schedule, recognizing the potential for unanticipated delays:
Council approval of Capital Improvement Budget - June 2016
RFP for design, evaluate proposals, Council approval, and contract execution - October 2016
Design development, community outreach, and Coastal Commission approval (contingent upon parking relocation) - May 2017
Construction documentation - July 2017
Plan check - January 2018
Issue bids for construction, evaluation, Council award, contract execution - June 2018
Construction start - July 2018
We will work as quickly as possible to effectuate Council’s direction to ensure implementation of this element of the Civic Center Master Plan and the community’s desire for a temporary sports field.
Rick Cole
City Manager for the City of Santa Monica
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 25, 2016. Read the original PDF.