Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Discussion
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Torino Regional Park Phase 1 Design Updates and Timeline
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Submitted By: Zakariya M. Sherman, Executive Project Manager, Parks and Recreation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Discuss Torino Regional Park Phase 1 Design Updates, including large pavilion concepts, skate park public outreach efforts, project timeline, and ARPA fund usage.
Presentation Information: Jonathan Haigh, PLA, ASLA, from Kimley-Horn will provide a brief presentation on the Torino Regional Park Phase I design. The presentation will include a review of the conceptual design approved by Council on June 24, 2024, with new concepts and themes associated with the playground / splashpad areas, skate park public outreach efforts, the overall project timeline for design, GMP, and groundbreaking, as well as a brief update on ARPA fund usage. City staff and Mike McIntyre, PLA, from Action Sports Design (ASD, LLC) will also be in attendance to address any questions.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve moving forward with one theme and concept from the options presented for inclusion in the site plan application.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and proceed with one of the proposed themes and concepts for the large pavilion area, inclusive of revisions.
2. Move that the Council not approve the proposed themes and concepts for the large pavilion area and provide staff with further direction.
Background: On June 24, 2024, Council approved the Torino Regional Park Conceptual Master Plan (Kimley-Horn) and the Phase 1 Funding and Phasing Recommendation. Phase 1 will focus on Parcel A, a 75-acre site with 62.4 acres of uplands and 12.5 acre lake.
An amended design contract with Kimley-Horn was approved on October 28, expanding their continuing services contract to include the Torino design. Kimley-Horn is overseeing all aspects of Phase 1 design, including surveys, geotechnical assessments, environmental services, design phases through final plans and permitting, and specialized design services such as splash pad and skate park design, structural and architectural engineering, and security system design. The CMAR contract with Burkhardt Construction, Inc. was approved on November 12, fully encumbering ARPA funds upon execution.
A kickoff meeting was held on November 13 with Parks and Recreation staff, Kimley-Horn, and Burkhardt (the CMAR). A tentative schedule was established, with discussions focusing on the playground and splashpad area and associated large group pavilion presented in the original master plan. At the 6/24/24 Council meeting, a request was made to provide alternate concepts to the large group pavilion feature area. Kimley-Horn prepared theming and alternate concept options addressing these concerns to parks staff, the City manager's office, and Council during one-on-ones.
The timeline for the project is aggressive, with schematic design decisions required by mid-January, site plan approvals by early May, and GMP development between November 2025 and January 2026. Construction is projected to begin in March 2026. By the 30% design stage, the scope and costs will be better defined, ensuring alignment with the construction schedule and ARPA spending requirements.
Extensive public outreach has been conducted for the skate park. This included three public meetings at the community center, a public survey, and outreach to nearly 30 local businesses. Action Sports Design President Mike McIntyre attended the meetings and compiled feedback from the public and survey results.
Issues/Analysis: Securing Council's feedback and selection of a concept and theme for the areas associated with the playground and splashpad is critical to align with the overall vision for the park's Phase I design, to maintain the aggressive timeline for completing design, finalizing the GMP, starting construction by March 2026, and ensuring ARPA funds are fully spent by the December 31, 2026 deadline.
Financial Information: The total budget for the Torino Regional Park Phase I project is $21,365,000.00, sourced from various funding streams: ARPA funds ($5,541,600.00), Reserve Bond Proceeds ($9,730,000.00), Park Impact Fees ($2,093,400.00), and the St. Lucie County Interlocal Agreement Impact Fees ($4,000,000.00). As of the October 28, 2024, City Council approval, $1,816,700.00 has been obligated to the Kimley-Horn design contract, and $163,020.00 has been allocated to Burkhardt for preconstruction services. This leaves a remaining budget of $19,548,300.00 in Park Impact Fee Account #305 for CMAR oversight and construction activities.
Special Consideration: The project operates on an aggressive timeline, requiring design completion and GMP finalization to begin construction by March 2026. Additionally, all ARPA funds allocated to the project must be fully spent by December 31, 2026 to comply with federal deadlines. Council's feedback is essential to keep the project on track and aligned with these requirements.
Location of Project: NW Torino Parkway
Attachments: PowerPoint Presentation, Torino Regional Park Phase I Design Updates and Timeline
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Russell Ward, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.