Item 26 - Early Direction for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget

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EXHIBIT 1 Page 2 of 4 Washington Square Neighborhood Park Feasibility Study The City has received several inquiries from interested property owners in Washington Square regarding a request for the City to purchase privately-owned vacant land and develop a neighborhood park. The property, located behind the Newsong Church at 1010 W 17th, is roughly 1.3 acres in size and surrounded by other residential uses. A recent property appraisal indicates a value of $3.7 million. Before considering a land purchase, the City would need to perform a feasibility study for the possible development of a park at the location. The cost of a Feasibility Study is estimated to be $100,000, including preliminary designs and estimates of recurring operations and maintenance costs. If the City pursues and receives grant money to purchase the property, there may be a required matching contribution of up to 50%. Staff does not recommend moving forward with the feasibility analysis for several reasons. • Development of a park at 10th & Flower is underway. This location is approximately 2,000 feet from the parcel noted above. • The location was not identified in the City’s Park Master Plan. • The parcel is in a neighborhood zoned for Single Family residences (R1). • The City has recently embarked upon several new park projects, which will require an increased level of operations and maintenance during a time when the Measure X rate decreases. Developing a park on the parcel would increase ongoing costs. Stadium Investment to Produce Revenue Funding of $500,000 has been earmarked to replace all seats on the press-box side of the Stadium. Design is underway to close the bowl and add 2,500-3,300 seats, but we do not yet have construction estimates. El Salvador Park Restrooms A restroom renovation project is budgeted with $300,000 of Cell Tower revenue. Project design is 90% complete and it appears the project cost may be closer to $400,000. An additional funding request may be forthcoming. The project could begin as early as July 2024 when the fields are down for turf renovation. Additional Teen Center The City offers a variety of teen programming and activities in the existing community centers and library locations. More teen activities will be added once smaller community centers re-open to the public (e.g. Logan). In addition, the Delhi Library will have dedicated teen space and teen programming; and Delhi park lighting has been identified as a priority use of federal ARPA money, adding more flexibility to the timing of such programs. Dual-Use Parks with the Santa Ana Unified School District During the March 4 meeting of the Joint School Collaboration City Council Subcommittee meeting, there was general interest in future additional discussions of maximizing the use of public property.