AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE CHAIR
AND MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM:
YVETTE E. AGUILAR
PARKS, RECREATION & LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
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CIVIC CENTER MASTER PLAN ADOPTION UPDATE
summary
Summary:
Last year, the City began working on the Civic Center Master Plan (CCMP). Since then, staff have actively worked with the City’s consultant, John Kaliski Architects, Incorporated (JKA), to develop a comprehensive Master Plan that reflects input from the community outreach process, which included input from the community, key stakeholder groups, City committees and commissions, and direction from the City Council. On August 27, 2024, City Council approved and adopted the Civic Center Master Plan.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication,
recruitment, retention systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Receive and file the final approved and adopted Civic Center Master Plan.
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Background:
On July 25, 2023, the City hired JKA to prepare the Civic Center Master Plan. Work began in August 2023, and a series of community engagement efforts took place including regular social media and website postings and updates; two on-line surveys; pop-up events at summer concert; Halloween festival and tree lighting; three-day design workshop and community meeting in October 2023; and several Commission/Committee meetings (Sustainable City Committee - October 3, 2023; Planning Commission - October 17, 2023; Parks and Recreation Commission- October 18, 2023; and Diversity Coalition Committee- October 19, 2023). Additional stakeholder meetings also took place with City staff, and community groups such as the Long Beach Symphony. Following the community and stakeholder input efforts, JKA prepared three preliminary design options for City Council review and input with the goal of selecting one preferred design alternative.
The purpose of the CCMP was to work with our community to reimagine the Civic Center and incorporate desired amenities that will serve future residents. In December 2023, the City Council selected “The Campus” as the desired alternative which emphasizes the construction of a new amphitheater, active and passive recreational elements, and a new Community Center. Given the large scope and related cost associated with developing the project, the CCMP is divided into three primary phases. Phase 1 of the CCMP, which includes the amphitheater and expanded parking lot along 21st street, is in the pre-development phase. Phases 2 and 3 include a new community center, sports courts, playground, improvements to Jessie Nelson Circle, and accessibility improvements. On August 27, 2024, City Council approved and adopted the Civic Center Master Plan.
The City will initiate Phase 1, starting with the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design services for the amphitheater.
Approved:
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Yvette E. Aguilar