TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Department Director
SUBJECT:
title
Mid-year budget adjustment for Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements Project
Ward(s): Ward 2
Councilor(s): Councilors Nishioka
Neighborhood(s): North East Salem Community Association (NESCA)
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community, Safe and Reliable Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
A mid-year budget adjustment is requested to increase funding for the Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements project by $1,440,000. The additional funding will be allocated from Unspecified Project funding in the Parks System Development Charges (SDC) budget to ensure timely project completion.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council approve a mid-year adjustment to allocate $1,440,000 from Parks SDC Unspecified to the Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements project budget?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve a mid-year adjustment to allocate $1,440,000 from Parks SDC Unspecified to the Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements project budget.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements project is a critical park improvement to provide safe recreational opportunities for users of wheeled devices, including skateboarding, biking, scootering, inline skating, and roller skating. The project broadly supports the City’s goals for inclusivity and livability. The scope of the project was developed through extensive public engagement during development of the Geer Park Master Plan in 2021 and additional public process specifically for development of a conceptual design for the project. The project includes construction of a 19,500-square-foot skatepark along with associated amenities and infrastructure necessary to support this new park feature.
The current project budget is $3.2 million including a $500,000 grant from the State of Oregon and $2.7 million in Parks SDC funds. Additional funding in the amount of $1,440,000 is necessary to deliver the intended scope of the project, address increased construction costs, and ensure timely completion. This adjustment will bring the total project budget to $4.64 million.
Consistent with City Council Resolution No. 2024-2, the project is using a Design Build (DB) contracting method for delivery, which integrates design and construction, allowing for improved efficiency, reduced change orders, and a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract. Paul Brothers Inc. (Paul Brothers) is the DB contractor for the project and has been leading a team specializing in design and construction of skateparks through project design and budget validation since early 2024.
Paul Brothers has conducted construction cost estimation in parallel with the design process throughout the project. After completing 90% construction documentation in the fall of 2024, Paul Brothers refined their probable construction cost estimate, confirming a budget shortfall.
At the December 12, 2024, meeting of the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (SPRAB), staff presented the project budget shortfall and sought feedback on potential solutions. Staff proposed three options: reducing the project scope, requesting a fund transfer from Parks SDC Unspecified funds, or a combination of both. SPRAB members expressed support for pursuing the fund transfer to deliver the project in its entirety.
Design plans for the project are complete and Paul Brothers is currently soliciting bids from subcontractors to finalize the GMP contract amount. Timely authorization of the additional proposed project funding is required to authorize the GMP and maintain the planned construction schedule for completion by October 2025.
Parks SDC Unspecified currently has sufficient funds available to support this adjustment without impacting other planned projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Geer Park Master Plan (Attachment 1) was updated in 2021 through an extensive public engagement process, which identified the development of a skatepark as the community's top priority for implementing the plan. Building on this foundation, additional public engagement conducted in 2022 resulted in a conceptual skatepark design shaped by input from Salem's skateboarding community and other residents who participated in the process. This project directly responds to community feedback highlighting the critical need for a safe and accessible skatepark, particularly for Salem's youth.
The scope of the proposed improvements includes the following:
• Site Preparation: Clearing and grading of the entire project area.
• Pathway Construction: Development of an accessible paved pathway, approximately 1,200 linear feet, with solar-powered path lighting through an undeveloped portion of the park.
• Skatepark Development: Construction of a 19,500-square-foot skatepark (Attachment 2).
• Spectator Plaza: Creation of an accessible viewing plaza for spectators.
• Picnic Shelter: Installation of a small picnic shelter designed to accommodate small groups.
• Landscaping: Installation of irrigated landscaping within and around the skatepark.
• Interpretive Plaza: Construction of a small plaza featuring an interpretive panel highlighting native plant species and their traditional cultural uses by the Kalapuya people.
• Stormwater Management: Development of a storm drain system and vegetated stormwater basin to capture and treat runoff from the skatepark, plaza, and other new impervious surfaces.
• Site Furnishings: Installation of site amenities, including:
o 9 benches
o 4 bike racks
o 3 picnic tables
o A drinking fountain
o A garbage receptacle
• Site Restoration: Seeding of an unirrigated lawn to cover disturbed areas within the project site.
Allen Dannen, PE
City Engineer
Attachments:
1. Geer Park Master Plan Graphic
2. Design Concept for the Geer Park Skatepark and Pathway Improvements