REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Initiate the Public Input for the Community Art Center Project in the Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan Area
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational, and Arts Assets
Deliver and Enhance High-Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan is an existing industrial area under redevelopment into a transit-oriented neighborhood with up to 12,000 residential units and up to 310,000 square feet of nonresidential uses bounded by Mission College to the south, Great America Parkway to the east, the Hetch-Hetchy right-of-way to the north, and Calabazas Creek to the west. Summerhill Homes Apartment and Communities (SHAC) will meet their Parkland Dedication requirements through a combination of dedicated public park spaces, private recreational amenities, and fees in-lieu of dedication. This includes a 5,000 square foot ground floor “cold shell” corner
condominium unit dedicated to the City to design and program for a public classroom, studio, and art gallery space that will be adjacent to the dedicated public mini-park “Art Walk” previously approved by the City Council on February 21, 2023 (RTC 23-126).
On May 9, 2023 (23-423) the City Council took action to approve an agreement with Noll and Tam Architects for Professional Services for the Patrick Henry
Drive Specific Plan Community Art Center Project. The City will work with Noll and Tam and the Community to further define the program, design the space, and make tenant improvements to turn the space into a community art center (Project) through this community outreach process.
The Project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 design services include a consultant-led community, commission(s), and Council input process, development of a program plan, development of a schematic design, and preparation of cost estimates. Phase 2 design services include the consultant producing Plans, Specifications, and Engineer’s (PS&E) estimates, preparing bid documents, obtaining permits, and assisting with bid/pre-construction and construction/post-construction activities. The construction of tenant improvements will be publicly bid and constructed as designed within the space to be operated by the Parks & Recreation Department.
DISCUSSION
On August 15, 2023, the Parks & Recreation Commission will hear a presentation from Noll and Tam Architects (Consultant) on the Project scope and timeline to develop the schematic design for the Art Center. The Consultant will introduce the project site, goals, and vision to create a sustainable operational model for a new recreational facility focused on delivering arts programming in a unique maker’s space to the community. This space should welcome residents of all ages and abilities and supports the increased resident population in the City of Santa Clara. The Commission will review the Project design principles that include, understanding the regional and local arts program delivery models, and implementing best practices for durable and flexible facility design, while supporting the City’s age-friendly goals for this anchor facility being built by SHAC.
The public engagement process will include a community pop-up input booth at the Art & Wine Festival on September 16 to collect input from the guests on their expectations for art program delivery. An online survey will be available for residents through October, and the Consultant will host two public meetings to seek public comments from the Youth Commission, Cultural Commission, and Senior Advisor Commission at meetings in October. Concurrently, the Consultant is leading a project to develop a business plan for sustainable operations of the facility that will meet the City’s cost recovery policy. Together with the Business Plan and the public input, the Consultant will prepare a schematic design of the Art Center for successful program delivery and operations.
Once the Phase 1 design process is complete and Council has approved a schematic design, the City will undertake Phase 2 design development work which will prepare the tenant approvement plans and specifications in collaboration with SHAC and in compliance with the City’s construction standards and the public bid process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is for design professional services and the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15378 because it does not pose a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
City Council approved the funding allocation for this project on May 9, 2023. The funds were allocated to the Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Fund (FY 23/24) in the amount of $529,353. The term of the proposed agreement with Noll and Tam Architects is through May 31, 2025. The consultant’s maximum compensation for Phase 1 and for Phase 2 is $529,353.
COORDINATION
This project has been coordinated with the Finance Department and Parks & Recreation Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take Action to Initiate Public Input for the Community Art Center Project in the Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan Area
Staff
Prepared by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Dale Seale, (Acting) Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Community Arts Center Presentation