LITTLE DIVERSIFIED ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTING, INC. (2)

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STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS UNDERSTANDING OF NEED Design is a fluid enterprise, what works for one client in one situation will not work with another client in another situation. Each comes to us with its own unique challenges and it's our job to identify the opportunities and constraints, and help our clients maximize one while overcoming the other. As such, our approach to design must be flexible and reactive. For this project, we have developed the following project framework; i. Develop Specific Goals for the Project — We understand that the existing deck and surrounding landscape that was built in 2014 has been victim of vandalism and homeless encampments. The original detail for the wood deck did provide for a chain link mesh that was meant to keep people from accessing the underside of the deck but was ineffective against more motivated individuals. This project's main focus is to re- construct the viewing deck and re-establish this pocket park as a key rest stop along the bike paths that intersect at this location. The design will need to ensure that it performs better than the original construction: (1) Utilize steel frame deck construction to ensure that it's not susceptible to fire damage (2) secure the underside space below the deck to prevent future encampments. Other goals include new site lighting, interpretive signage, and addressing the existing landscape (planting and irrigation) so this site can become what it was once envisioned as. An early task for our design team will be to sit down with City Staff and key personnel who operate and maintain the site to understand what other issues can be addressed by the design and implementation of this project. ii. Do our Homework — Commonly referred to as "due diligence", if we're going to give you sound, professional design advice we need to understand your existing conditions. Tasks needed for successful completion will include a topographic survey of the site as outlined in the RFP as well as a geotechnical report of the site. We need a complete grasp of what is happening above and below ground in and around the site, to help inform our design and engineering plans. This will be another early task for our design team, to review available as-builts for the site and surrounding properties and fully understand how the site operates within it's surrounding context. We've already done some digging and found the concept plan and other documents that were used to secure the grant that will be used to cover the construction costs for the project. Those documents tell us the intent is to redevelop the entire site, rebuild the deck and turn the site into a riparian landscape with river rock and boulders. Understanding the existing conditions and the City's design intent will allow us to make informed design decisions as we move from schematic design into construction documents. iii. Explore Design Options —Our next task will be to work with the City and our design team to nail down some of the design options that need to be finalized ahead of starting construction documents. Some of the opportunities and constraints that we see ahead for this project include but are not limited to; a. The Deck — The redesign of this deck is an opportunity for the City to get it right this time. It's still a tough site, cut off from public street view with limited access from the adjoining public trails, so it's always going to be inviting for vandals but it can be rebuilt in such a way that deters that type of behavior in a more resilient way. Changing the construction of the deck to steel framing will create a more robust structure. As a part of the rebuild for the deck we'll take a closer look at the existing transition detail where the boardwalk meets the bike path. Based on our site observations and review of the as-builts the existing detail for the "Bike Path/Boardwalk Transition" is too small. While the existing concrete header could be utilized it may be beneficial to remove existing and provide new abutments along the existing bike path. These are always critical design items when designing a bridge/boardwalk and making the abutments deeper will allow for more separation between the new steel framing and finish grade below. b. The Framing — Going to steel framing to rebuild the deck will present some design options to be considered as well. Do we come back in with wide flange steel members or with HSS Tube Steel framing? There are cost impacts and aesthetic impacts for each. Wide -flange steel framing is typically a little cheaper and looks more industrial so may fit the context better but can be harder to keep clean as they provide nesting opportunities just by the nature of their shape. HISS tubes can be more expensive but this can be offset by the fact we'll be able to use smaller beam sizes and the shapes are cleaner and don't create any internal ledges where mess can collect. 12 CITY Of SANTA ANA: RFP N0: 20-130 17TM STREET TRIANGULAR PARK RESTORATION