There were lots of moving parts is the city council decision unanimously directing staff to amend the GreenWorks agreement and consider the Cultural Center becoming a joint Regional Discovery Center. The cost of the change would not exceed $112,770 for Phase 2 of the project evaluation. During Monday’s meeting. councilors learned the city currently enjoys a $350,000 fiscal reserve and is able to fund the prospective change.
The Redwood Parks Conservancy and Redwood State Parks have approved funding and allocated $25,000 each ($50,000 total) to become partners in a newly configured one-stop Del Norte Discovery Center. The city’s responsibility for this amendment would be $62,770. The Crescent City- Del Norte Chamber of Commerce, already a Cultural Center tenant, is considering a substantial partnership contribution further ameliorating the City’s obligation.
Here’s the background for the Beachfront Park project:
Two years ago, Crescent City was awarded $5 million in statewide park funding under voter-approved Proposition. 68.
In August 2022, the city was awarded an additional $3 million in rural recreation funding in which the city council approved to add the Amphitheatre and Waterfront Plaza.
The city entertained three proposals to create the final design of the Beachfront Park improvement project. The GreenWorks team was selected prior to the awarding of the Prop 68 funding.
Phase 1 was the first step in the process to evaluate the feasibility of using the Cultural Center as the multi-tenant Del Norte Discovery Center. The completed Phase 1 report was submitted by prospective partners State Parks, Redwood Conservancy and Chamber of Commerce, each entity unanimously supporting the expansion.
Phase 2 begins upon council approval of the amendment. The partners city, state and National Parks, Redwood Parks and possibly the chamber will be meeting in January with grant funding to be announced during the summer months of 2024.
The amendment will be brought back to the council in January.