Title
Approval of Interim Improvements on City-Owned Isthmus Properties
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) recommends approval of interim improvements on the city-owned Isthmus properties as outlined in their letter to Council.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the hybrid concept drawing recommended by staff and authorize staff to move forward with design and construction.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve one of the four concept drawings designed for interim improvements to the Isthmus or to approve a hybrid concept drawing.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Background and Analysis:
At the March 21, 2017, Study Session, Council directed staff to continue blight removal with interim improvements to the city-owned Isthmus properties. Council also set five parameters for the interim improvements:
1. The project will focus on the foundation areas of the two former buildings on the Isthmus.
2. The project will be an interim use until a master plan is developed.
3. The project will try to allow for reuse of as many of the improvements as possible.
4. The public will have an opportunity to provide input.
5. The project budget is $500,000.
Using these parameters, staff developed four concept drawings to present to the public (See Concept Drawings). The public was almost evenly split between preferring the more grassy option (See Concept A) or the option with the most hardscape (See Concept D). The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) reviewed the four concepts and proposed a hybrid that uses a more hardscape approach for the large, rectangular site and a grassy design for the smaller, square site (See PRAC Letter). Building on PRAC’s idea, staff has proposed a hybrid concept drawing that uses PRAC’s basic approach but retains trees around the perimeter to provide a buffer to the adjacent streets (See Staff Recommended Drawing).
In 2018, the City will launch a broader public engagement process about the long-term vision for the City-owned property on the Isthmus.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
A public meeting was held on April 19, 2017, to present four concepts for development of the site and receive input. Written comments were received until May 1, 2017. Public input was split between support for a more grassy option (See Concept A) and a more hardscape option (See Concept D and Public Comments). Staff also met with adjacent property owners and a community stakeholder group.
Additionally, PRAC discussed the four concepts at their April 20, 2017 meeting and developed a hybrid concept (See PRAC letter).
Options:
Option 1 - Move to approve the hybrid concept drawing recommended by staff and authorize staff to move forward with design and construction.
Option 2 - Choose one of the original four concept drawings presented to the public.
Option 3 - Do not choose any of the concept drawing options presented. This may delay completion of the project.
Financial Impact:
The 2015-2020 Capital Facilities Plan allocated $670,000 for the project titled “Isthmus Remediation.” These funds may be allocated towards any continued blight removal, interim improvements, or additional park planning efforts.
Attachments:
Staff Recommended Drawing
Concept Drawings A-D
Public Comments
PRAC Letter