HISTORY:
At the November 9, 2016 City Commission meeting, a discussion was held regarding the creation of a pocket park on 20th Street and Sunset Drive. The item was referred to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (“FCWP”) and the Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board (the “Board”).
Based on the Board’s recommendation at its meeting on January 12, 2017, the Parks and Recreation Department presented the scope and cost estimates for the creation of a pocket park on 20th Street and Sunset Drive at the February 17, 2017 FCWP meeting.
Administration presented a preliminary estimate of $677,000 for total project costs. The associated costs include: grading, crosswalk improvements, perimeter artistic fence, new utility connections, development of a new playground area, landscaping, irrigation, renovation of walks and pathways, site lighting and site furnishing. FCWP recommended moving this item to full Commission.
On April 26, 2017, City Commission meeting passed Resolution No. 2017-29814 (Exhibit A) accepting FCWP’s recommendation to add the creation of a pocket park on 20th Street and Sunset Drive, including a dog park, to the FY 2018 Capital Budget, subject to funding availability. Due to budget efficiencies, the proposal for the creation of the pocket park was not adopted in the FY 18 Capital Budget.
Neighbors from the Lower North Bay Road, Sunset Harbour, and Sunset Islands III & IV communities have continued to express their desire to use the space as a neighborhood recreation space and, more recently, their concerns regarding utilizing this parcel as a staging area for construction.
At the January 17, 2018 City Commission meeting, a discussion regarding the future use of the City lot at 20th Street and Sunset Drive was referred to FCWP, at the request of Commissioner Arriola.