Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Berger Partnership for Phase 1 Design Services at the Yelm Highway Community Park
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Berger Partnership for Phase 1 Design Services at the Yelm Highway community park.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Berger Partnership for Phase 1 Design Services at the Yelm Highway community park.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Jonathon Turlove, Director of Parks Planning & Maintenance
Background and Analysis:
In late 2018 Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD) purchased 83 acres located at 3323 Yelm Highway for a future community park. The property is located next to a previously purchased 3.54-acre park parcel, also on Yelm Highway.
The park master planning project was delayed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly thereafter, OPARD was approached by the Olympia School District (OSD) with a request to consider allowing the OSD to utilize a 20-acre portion of the park site for a future secondary school to be constructed in ten years or more. The OSD would either purchase the property outright or trade an as-yet-to-be-identified parcel for the 20-acres. As part of a larger public outreach effort around this concept, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) identified several questions and concerns with the potential partnership that needed further investigation (see attached). Prior to making a decision, the City Council would like to spend time evaluating PRAC's concerns. Also, the OSD has contracted with Berger Partnership to further study the issues raised by PRAC.
While a partnership decision has yet to be made, staff proposes to move forward with a Phase 1 design...
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