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CAC - 1) Receipt and Discussion of a Report from Johnson Favaro Regarding the Future of Veterans Memorial Park and Bill Botts Fields at Culver City Park; and, 2) Provide Comments as Appropriate
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Meeting Date: December 19, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / City Manager - Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (12/14/23)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (12/13/23)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) 1) receive and file a report from Johnson Favaro regarding the future of Veterans Memorial Park and Bill Botts Fields at Culver City Park; and, 2) provide comments as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council Meeting on May 8, 2023, the City Council directed staff to proceed with an expedited request for proposals (RFP) for a feasibility study for Bill Botts Fields and Veterans Memorial Park (to include Veterans Memorial Building, the Plunge and other structures at the site). A park feasibility study is a financial study that determines the viability of a specific park and/or facility. The study can include a vision for the park and/or facility, what the organizational success looks like for the park and/or facility, and the community needs in support of the project. An assessment of the park and/or facility would take place and recommendations for needed changes would be offered. A feasibility study that presents a variety of options, such as 1) general cosmetic changes; 2) a medium upgrade with invasive changes and some renovations; and, 3) a full overhaul of the park and/or facility would allow the City Council to compare and eventually choose a cost level that it believes will be feasible and acceptable to the community, should the City Council seek to move forward with the improvements.
Evaluation criteria for the feasibility study consultant included demonstrated understanding of the project’s objectives, scope, and goals; qualifications and experience with similar projects; cost; efforts to service underrepresented populations and disabled communities; and efforts to identify and apply creative, non-traditional, and diverse opportunities for community engagement. Johnson Favaro was rated highest overall based on the criteria. Staff presented its recommendations to the City Council on August 14, 2023, and City Council approved Johnson Favaro to be the consultant on the project.
Johnson Favaro divided their work into three stages: Discovery, Options and Recommendations. During the Discovery Stage, the principals in charge of the project met with various groups that included sports organizations, arts organizations, facility user groups, non-profits, the Culver City Historical Society, City staff, and the Ad Hoc City Council Subcommittee, comprised of Mayor Vera and Council Member O’Brien. On October 19, 2023, the first community meeting was held in the Veterans Memorial Building auditorium allowing community members to provide input on the future of these sites. In addition, the community was able to provide feedback through an online survey that opened on October 5, 2023 and closed on December 1, 2023.
DISCUSSION
Now in the Options Stage of their project, Johnson Favaro has met with City staff to discuss and analyze the various options that can be included at each site. On December 9, 2023, the second community meeting was held at the Veterans Memorial Building auditorium to receive input from the community about the options and concepts that Johnson Favaro will be presenting. Johnson Favaro presented the preliminary options to the City Council on December 11, 2023 and received the City Council’s input. The City Council directed staff to engage a consultant to do an economic feasibility study for a 5,000 seat amphitheater at Bill Botts Fields, and to do a poll to gauge community support and willingness to pay for the options presented in the final report, which will be completed in March 2024.
Representatives from the design firm Johnson Favaro will be present to discuss the options for Veterans Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Building and Bill Botts Fields at Culver City Park and to hear feedback about these options from members of the Cultural Affairs Commission.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
At this time, there is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
Receive and discuss a report from Johnson Favaro regarding the future of Veterans Memorial Park and Bill Botts Fields at Culver City Park and provide comments as appropriate.