TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Grant application for a Riverfront Park north restroom.
Ward(s): Ward 1
Councilor(s): Councilor Kaser
Neighborhood(s): CANDO
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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ISSUE:
Shall Council adopt Resolution 2019-8 authorizing the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant to provide funding assistance for constructing a new restroom facility in the north end of Riverfront Park?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution 2019-8, authorizing the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant to provide funding assistance for constructing a new restroom facility in the north end of Riverfront Park.
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SUMMARY:
Riverfront Park is the City’s premier event park, with many community and private events taking place year-round. There is a need for additional restroom facilities in Riverfront Park. In 2018, the Riverfront Park Master Plan was updated and approved by Council. Currently, there is one, four-stall unisex restroom facility near the Carousel and playground. The Riverfront Park Master Plan includes two new restroom buildings in the park, one in the north near the Rotary Pavilion, and one in the south near the site of the future covered stage and amphitheater. Having a new eight-stall unisex restroom at the north end of the park will provide a much needed amenity near popular park facilities and events such as the splash fountain, the Rotary Pavilion, the seasonal ice rink, and the holiday tree lighting event.
The proposed restroom building will be a “built-in-place” facility constructed by a local Oregon company, Romtec. The exterior of the building and metal roof will match the Rotary Pavilion with similar materials and color.
The total cost of the facility, including utility connections, concrete work, ADA accessible upgrades, electrical, permitting, contingency, and project management is approximately $800,000.
To assist in funding the project, an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant is being sought. The City will request up to fifty percent of the total cost and provide the remainder from available Parks System Development Charge funds.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
On January 9, 2019, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announced a new round of grant funding through the Local Government Grant Program. The grant program helps local government agencies fund outdoor park and recreation areas and facilities, and acquire property for park purposes.
If awarded, the grant will assist in funding the purchase and construction of an eight-stall unisex restroom facility. It will be located at the north end of Riverfront Park just south of the Rotary Pavilion, in a currently little-used grassy area (Attachment 1). This location is a variation from the Riverfront Park Master Plan, as the location shown in the Park Master Plan is not feasible owing to a natural gas pipeline easement. The proposed location is near the splash fountain, the Rotary Pavilion, the seasonal ice rink, and the holiday tree lighting event, as well as necessary water and sewer infrastructure. It will be located outside the Willamette Greenway setback.
Romtec, an Oregon company based in Roseburg, has been selected through the public contracting process. Romtec has provided cost estimates based on preliminary building size, style, and material selection. The proposed building is a “built-in-place” facility that will be constructed on-site. The exterior of the building and metal roof will match the Rotary Pavilion with similar materials and color. A schematic design is shown on Attachment 2.
The Riverfront Park restroom facility is eligible under the Local Government Grant Large Grant category. This grant may fund up to fifty-percent of the project cost. The grant application requires a resolution from the City authorizing the application and indicting a commitment to providing the necessary match for the project (Attachment 3).
On February 14, 2019, the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (SPRAB) endorsed the grant application and on February 7, 2019, the Salem Parks Foundation provided a letter of support for the project (Attachments 4 and 5). Letters of support have also been received from Just Walk Salem Keizer (Attachment 6) and the CAN-DO neighborhood association (Attachment 7).
BACKGROUND:
The Local Government Grant Program has three categories of funding: Large Development Grants (up to $750,000); Acquisitions (up to $1,000,000); and Small Grants (up to $75,000). Grants will fund up to fifty percent of the project costs. Approximately $5.4 million in reimbursement funds are available for the 2019 cycle.
Projects must adhere to the goals and objectives of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and a local plan, such as the 2013 Salem Comprehensive Park System Master Plan and 2018 Riverfront Park Master Plan.
The grant application is due April 1. If the project is recommended for funding by the review committee, a presentation to the funding board will be in June 2019. Funding decisions will be made in September 2019.
The OPRD Local Government Grant stipulates that the grant funded project is completed within two years from Notice to Proceed, which for this grant cycle would mean completion by September 2021. Staff is confident that the project can be completed by the designated timeline.
Funding for the City match is identified in the Council-adopted Capital Improvement Plan as Project Number 0000668, with $100,000 in FY 2021 and $300,000 in FY 2022.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
1. North Restroom Conceptual Location
2. Preliminary Schematic Drawings
3. Resolution 2019-8
4. SPRAB Letter of Support
5. Salem Parks Foundation Letter of Support
6. Just Walk Salem Keizer Letter of Support
7. CAN-DO Letter of Support