SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Provide direction regarding the Crest Lake Park Master Plan developed by Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. (WJA), of St. Petersburg, FL.
Body
SUMMARY:
The City Council approved allocating $250,000 in Penny funds for CIP project “Crest Lake Park Improvements” in Fiscal Year 2015/16. The scope of this project was to provide for the master plan design, public engagement process and preliminary budget needed for renovations at Crest Lake Park.
On April 7, 2016, the City Council approved a contract to WJA in the amount of $97,718, which included a 25% contingency, for architectural and engineering design services required to provide concept designs for the future development of Crest Lake Park, 201 Glenwood Ave.
Over the past year staff and WJA conducted surveys, held meetings with Crest Lake Advisory Committee and held two very well attended community public meetings. From all of this input WJA was able to complete their study and provide a Master Plan for Crest Lake Park.
Consensus by the community was to increase water access while improving the ecology of the lake, especially habitat for birds. The existing trees and lake habitat were seen by the community as a critical asset as well.
Concepts for improving the park circulation and park uses were proposed by the consultants with the community preferring a Lake Loop and Lakeline Development. Both of these provided more integration of the lake with the park while not overdeveloping the park.
The proposed plan for the park builds on the public’s preferred options. Pedestrian circulation from the neighborhood into the park and to the lake is increased. Active, Passive and Flexible Zones were identified and placed into the appropriate places in the park.
Active Zones may include extended playground, splash pad, exercise court, boat docks, dog park, and volleyball court. Passive Zones would include water access by boardwalks and fishing piers, picnic areas, arboretum garden, exploratory paths, park benches, chess/checker board area, and neighborhood planted street edge and oak line trellis path. Flexible zone may include multi-functional pavilion, restrooms, open lawn area, and small amphitheater & stage.
The preliminary master plan budget including a 10% contingency and $400,000 for gas line relocation on the southeast corner of Crest Lake is $5,447,000. There is a current balance of $1 million in CIP project 315-93650 Crest Lake Park Improvements. In addition there is an additional $750,000 in Penny funds allocated in Fiscal Year 2018/19 for this project. This leaves a project shortfall of $3,697,000 to cover all costs of the master plan.
Staff is in support and of the opinion that the current master plan addresses the major concerns and desires of the residents as well as provides for exciting new improvements that will attract more residents to enjoy this strategic park as a gateway to downtown and the beaches.
Staff is seeking Council approval of the master plan and requesting additional consideration for funding to complete the entire project.
If no additional funds are allocated for the project, staff recommends using the existing $1.75 million to construct new concrete paths, boardwalks, restrooms and lighting.
This item supports the City Strategic Direction and priorities for quality by providing new infrastructure for the citizens of Clearwater.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A