ANALYSIS:
On September 5, 2017 the conceptual drawings and renderings for the project were presented at the Design Review Board (DRB) hearing. The DRB recommended the approval of the project with certain conditions.
The park will be developed on the 19.4 acre former Par 3 Golf Course as a natural passive park (Attachment A). The proposed elements include a central lake; open meadows and informal open play field areas; landforms; pavilion; tennis courts (6) with restroom facilities; children’s playground; dog park; boardwalk and pathways; security lighting; vita course and fitness cluster; butterfly garden; linear water feature and parking lot. The passive park will preserve landmark specimen trees and pastoral spaces.
The estimated total budget (Attachment B) required is $18,301,375. However, $1,211,537 has been encumbered for contracts and fees, leaving a net total budget requirement of $17,089,838. The current available budget is $3,894,934, therefore requiring additional funding in the amount of $13,194,904.
The available budget includes $800,000, set aside for impending pollution remediation as required by Miami Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) permitting process.
On February 23, 2018 the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) approved the conceptual design and directed staff to continue with the development and permitting of the project. The committee requested staff to prepare a list of project elements that could be implemented within the current available budget and to explore Brownfield grants for the remediation efforts.
On March 7, 2018, the City Commission approved Resolution 2018-30222, approving the recommendation of the FCWPC, to continue with the current design of the park, explore all funding options, including GO Bonds, make this project a high priority, explore Brownfield grants and for CIP to return to the next FCWPC with options for using available funds.
Approximately $545,000 of the available funds ($3,894,934) is necessary for additional soft costs and fees. Therefore, the funds available for construction are approximately $3.35 million.
The consultant evaluated different options and recommended the following:
Option 1- Remediate the entire site (19.4 acres)
The scope includes site demolition, tree pruning, tree removal and relocation, construction of the underground utilities, lake excavation, earthwork and additional fill, sod and irrigation. The estimated cost for these improvements is approximately $4.15 million. Estimated cost could be reduced by considering partial site remediation.
Option 2 - Tennis Courts/Parking Lot
This includes remediation of a portion of the site (approximately 3 acres), underground utilities, tennis courts, tennis facility and restrooms, parking lot, lighting, walkways, landscaping and irrigation. The estimated cost for these improvements is approximately $3.8 million.
Option 3 - Playground
There is a relatively new and functioning playground at the Scott Rakow Youth Center. Replacing the playground requires significant remediation and site work which is not cost effective.
Different iterations of the above options could be considered.
There are several drawbacks for phasing the project, including:
• Longer overall project schedule
• Higher total design and construction costs
• Multiple bidding processes
Construction documents are being developed for permitting and are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2018.
The City is seeking Brownfield designation for the Community Park (FKA Par 3) site. The designation process is anticipated to be completed by January of 2019. This process will be in a parallel timeline with the design and permitting of the park project. Once the process is complete, the City will be eligible for tax credit reimbursements for any eligible remediation costs within the calendar year when the designation goes into effect and thereafter.
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