REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommendation on Conceptual Park Design for the Plaza del Sol Phase II Project
Report
BACKGROUND
In May 2003 the City Council approved a phased project approach for construction of a downtown plaza at 200 West Evelyn Ave at the southwest corner of West Evelyn Avenue and South Frances Street. The urban park was designed and constructed on top of the underground parking structure of the Mozart Development (Mathilda Place). Construction of Phase I was completed in 2004 and opened to the public as the Plaza del Sol.
A City project to design and construct Plaza del Sol Phase II was originally scheduled for 2012-2014, but funding has been moved multiple times to coordinate with developments in the downtown area or due to competing priorities. Phase II is intended to include design features left out of the initial project because of budget constraints, add features to the initial project based on the current user needs, and create a landmark focal point on Plaza del Sol that will attract public attention and encourage Sunnyvale residents and guests to visit.
As a significant amount of time since the original Phase II was envisioned, and the usage of Downtown has evolved over time, Plaza del Sol Phase II is being reevaluated. Possible improvements may include: additional landscaping, walkways, water features, restrooms, roofing for one of the two garage ramps, a memorial dedicated to Sunnyvale residents and employees who have given their lives in service to the City and country, shading over specified areas, game facilities, information/food/educational kiosks, and artwork. Recognizing that public input was a critical component of developing the new vision for Phase II, the first task of work for a consultant was to hold public input meetings to select improvements to be made and to finalize the preferred conceptual plan.
In June of 2019 the City issued a request for proposals (RFP) to design firms to conduc...
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