Title
Design and Technical Standards for Depot Park (NB)
Explanation
Implementation of the Depot Park concept, adopted by the City Commission in 2002, has begun and will continue for several years. In April 2006, the Phase I storm water ponds, landscaping, and walking paths were completed. Construction plans for additional landscaping, walking paths, and an irrigation system were completed in June 2007. Staff anticipates that the construction of these improvements will commence this fall. The following phase will be to install park amenities around the Phase I improvements.
The park concept contains amenities such as lighting, seating areas, picnic pavilions, bridges and other items that have yet to be specified. These amenities can be specified early in the park development in order to unify the palette of materials over time, streamline the design process, and save time and money in engineering. These specifications can be formally incorporated into a document of design and technical standards that can be used as a template for the phased development of the park. As each phase of the park enters into the design stage, the designer will incorporate the standards into the design documents and bid specifications, thus avoiding having to make decisions regarding amenities at every phase.
Since Depot Park falls within the Downtown Redevelopment District and the CRA could potentially fund some of the park improvements, staff recommends that the CRA take the lead on the effort to develop the design and technical standards. The adopted downtown redevelopment plan supports this type of park planning activity under the proposed strategies for enhancing the central business district. The CRA will continue to work in partnership with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs to ensure that concerns regarding park development are addressed. The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs supports allowing the CRA to manage this project. On June 16, 2007 the CRA approved the staff recommendation to request authorization from the City to proceed.
Staff discussed the idea of developing design and technical standards at the August 2006 meeting of the East Gainesville SPROUT Project Task Force. The committee supported the idea and expressed a desire to participate in the creation of the standards.
Fiscal Note
Funding for this project is available in the Depot Park Recreation Project account 335-850-C350-965-5720, which is within the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. The CRA will contribute in-kind staff resources toward this project; however, no CRA funding will be required for professional consulting services. Staff will impose a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000.00 on the contract to provide professional services for this scope of work.
Recommendation
CRA to the City Commission: 1) Recommend the City Commission allow the CRA be the lead organization in the development of design and technical standards; 2) request that the City provide funding from the Depot Park Recreation Project account not to exceed $50,000.00 to develop the design and technical standards; and 3) authorize staff to develop a scope of work and submit a Request for Proposals for this project.
Alternative Recommendation A: 1) Recommend the City Commission not transfer the lead responsibility for Depot Park design and technical standards to the CRA.