SPAC meeting minutes – 9/16/08

Minutes
Skateboard Park Advisory Committee
September 16, 2008

Committee Members Present: Ryan Barth, Matt Johnston, Dan Hughes, Nancy Chang, Scott Shinn
Staff: Kelly Davidson, Mickey Fearn
Guests: Mike Shaugnessey, Brian Busalacchi, Nancy Folsom, Max Heminger, Craig Martin

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was amended to add Sandel Playfield

Public Comments

Max asked about the Genessee Park skatepark.  Matt noted that this skatepark was dropped from the list during the final round of the Citywide Skatepark Plan in response to a neighborhood campaign, and asked if the Jefferson skatepark was close enough to meet the need, advising that this skatepark would be built as part of the forthcoming Parks Levy, if passed by the voters.

Mike noted that Seattle needs covered and illuminated skateparks in order to maximize the investment in the skateparks, and to extend the use of the facilities.  Brian commented that the skatepark under I-90 in Spokane is a good model of this type of facility.  Craig commented that green roofs on skateparks would also be a cutting-edge idea.

Dahl Playfield

Scott gave an update on the status of the project regarding geotechnical issues.  Kelly gave an update on the project management aspects, including the ProView process, conceptual design, and prior community planning on the project.  The construction budget will be $130K for this skatespot, with bidding expected in November or December.  Max asked what the total project budget was.  Ryan clarified that it was $205K, initially allocated by the City Council.

Delridge Skatepark

Matt gave an update on skateable public art, community outreach, and a recent public meeting, with kudos to Nancy F. for facilitating the process.  A Small & Simple Department of Neighborhoods Grant will be written by Randy Ingstrom from the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to support the art project, with a high degree of community involvement.  Nancy C. noted additional information about the Center’s involvement with local youth in the community.  Ryan recapped that a walking tour of West Seattle skatepark sites was conducted in June with Superintendent Gallagher, Kevin Stoops, Kelly D., Ryan and Matt, with the outcome of selecting the Delridge Skatepark site.  Kelly noted that the second public meeting is currently planned to occur in the fall.  Nancy F. noted that next steps will include door-to-door community outreach and a survey about the skatepark.  Nancy C. also noted that events are a good way to get people invloved.  Nancy F. noted that input from other demographic groups like seniors and non-skating neighbors is the main goal of this effort, in order to vet concerns about the skatepark prior to public meetings.  Nancy C. noted that a number of families in West Seattle might be interested in helping with the effort.  Matt noted concerns about door-to-door campaigns.  Mike noted that it is important to get all the issues ironed out before engaging in a campaign.  Matt noted that the SPAC needs to lobby the City Council for more money to build this skatepark given the current ~$600K requested by Parks will likely not be sufficient to build the type of facility requested by the community at this site.  Additional discussion ensued about participation, funding, lobbying, logistics of coordinating campaigns to support this skatepark, and modeling good public process for future skatepark campaigns.

Seattle Center Skatepark

Ryan reviewed the process to date.  The Design Commission meeting occurred last month, and the design has been finalized.  Mixed use by the Bite of Seattle, Folklife, International Children’s Festival and Bumbershoot festivals will be an ongoing concern with this space, with discussions to occur within the next two months.  Potential estimated use by the festivals would be approximately 52 days during the prime summer months significantly affecting community use of the skatepark.  Opening date for the skatepark is still slated for summer 2009.

River City Skatepark

Ryan provided an update on the project from Kim Schwarzkopf.

Lower Woodland

Ryan reviewed the post-mortem costs for the skatepark provided by Kim Baldwin:

•    Project Spending (2005 to date):
•    Planning-$29,846 (design program, SEPA, public process, consultant selection, contract negotiations)
•    Design-$135,570 (design contract($65,206), design commission($2,806), survey($4,610), drainage engineering($8,382), Geotech report($5,832), reprographics, 1% for the Arts, project management($38,455)
•    Construction – $735,073 (bidding, construction contract($675,338), in-house work, geotech time, monitoring well decommissioning, inspectors($18,115), project management ($39,140)
•    Closeout – ($3,000)
•    There is still spending that will occur for the netting.  Kim indicated excess funds will be returned to the CIP.

Ryan noted that safety netting will be installed between the baseball fields and the skatepark.  Matt noted that graffiti is still a concern in this skatepark per the SPAC’s review of the site, and that reporting graffiti is important for the continued success of this skatepark.  Mickey commented on Parks’ current and future public involvement processes, and community outreach.  Nancy noted the utility of an art wall.

Scott noted that the initial allocation by Council was $300K (2004) and $750K (2005), for a total of $1,050,000, so the spending to-date of $903,489 still leaves $146,511.  Discussion ensued regarding the fact that this surplus money should most certainly not be returned to CIP because it was allocated by the City Council for skateparks.  Matt to correspond with Kim on Parks’ plans for this additional money.

South Kitsap

Ryan noted that New Line Skateparks received the design bid for a new skatepark that will be constructed as part of the South Kitsap Regional Park Master Plan.  The design process is ongoing.

Northgate

Ryan noted that a site has been designated in the Park N’ Ride improvement project but no funding is currently available to include skateable terrain.

Sandel Playfield

Scott noted that this park is slated to receive an upgrade either as part of the Parks for All Levy or with existing funds, is also noted as a skatedot on the Citywide Skatepark Plan, and has an existing wading pool.  Kelly to follow up with appropriate staff to check on the status of this and the steps for including a skatedot in the upgrade.

John & Summit

Kelly noted that this skatedot project is breaking new ground for implementing skatedots within the City, and also follows the normal Parks design process.  Ryan reviewed the history and status of the project.  This will be a long skateable bench/ledge next to a planter in a park improvement project.  The public involvement process for this park has become favorable toward the skate feature as it has moved forward, with much thanks to local skate advocates.  Since the skateable bench/ledge is currently a $50K line item in the Parks’ budget, the SPAC is currently talking with Parks regarding methods to construct the feature using donations from local skatepark design/build firm Grindline.  The funds for the skateable feature will be made available from the “skate dot pot” of funds once Dahl Playfield and the Delridge design are complete.  Kelly noted that community fundraising is currently underway for other park features.

SubPop Grant

Kelly noted that the $10K grant from SubPop for Jefferson Park is moving through the accounting office.

Skate Like a Girl

Nancy provided an update on SLAG, which recently conducted a van tour to and from Winnipeg, built a relationship with the Manitoba Skateboard Coalition, and participated in a contest.  An all-female skate event with a cash prizes will occur December 13th at Skate Barn.  A 2009 tour is currently being planned with U.S. and Canadian women.  A San Francisco chapter of SLAG is also up and running.  Talks with the Seattle Center for office space and stewardship of the skatepark are still underway.  SLAG will have its 10-year anniversary in 2010.  Secret skate dates will also continue to occur.  SLAG is also working with Seattle Schools to build a skateboard team.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:05.  The next meeting will occur on Monday, November 10, 7 PM, 100 Dexter Ave.