HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-063
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RESOLUTION NO. 2001-63
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION
FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN STATION
FOUNDATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SANTA FE DEPOT RESTORATION.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council have entered into an agreement with the
San Bernardino Associated Governments to begin restoration of the historic Santa Fe
Depot; and
WHEREAS. the potential benefits of restoration include the economic revitalization of
the area immediately surrounding the Depot and the improvement oftransportation efficiency;
and
WHEREAS, The Great American Station Foundation is designed to serve as a catalyst
for community-based station development initiatives; and
WHEREAS, The Great American Station Foundation is accepting applications for
financial support to provide assistance to enhance railroad stations
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Administrator is authorized to submit an application for grant
funds from The Great American Station Foundation.
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2001-63
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RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION
FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN STATION
FOUNDATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SANTA FE DEPOT RESTORATION.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor
and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a joint regular
meeting
thereof, held on the 2nd day of April
Council Members: AYES NAYS
ESTRADA x
-
LIEN x
MCGINNIS x
SCHNETZ x
SUAREZ x
ANDERSON x
MCCAMMACK x
,2001, by the following vote, to wit:
ABSTAIN ABSENT
Q~1J.~
RaChel G. Clark, City Clerk
The foregoing resolution is hereby approved this ~ ,d day of April
2001.
23 Approved as to
24 Form and legal content:
25
26
JAMES F. PENMAN,
City Attorney
27 By: (LAP.,?_ t- _ /e~A_V_
28 (/j
..
The Great American Station Foundation
2001 APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The City of San Bernardino is requesting financial assistance in the amount of
$30,000 to be used towards rehabilitation costs of its historic Santa Fe Depot. A
consultant has been hired and funds have been secured to complete the final
design and engineering necessary prior to the rehabilitation. The City is in the
process of soliciting funds for the rehabilitation of the building.
Project Background
The City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino Associated Governments
(SANBAG) are the current owners of the Depot. In the early 1990's, the Depot
was acquired by SANBAG as part of the acquisition of right-of-way for the
Metrolink commuter rail service. In order to expedite the Depot restoration
project, Mayor Valles reached an agreement with SANBAG to establish the City
of San Bernardino as the lead agency for the restoration and development of the
facility.
Amtrak currently operates limited passenger service at the Depot. However, most
of the station is vacant and boarded up. The Regional Rail Authority's Metrolink
commuter rail service to Los Angeles and Orange County originates in San
Bernardino on platforms just 25 yards from the Depot. According to preliminary
evaluation by the restoration architect, the building will likely need major seismic
retrofitting. Thankfully, most (if not all) of the original window, interior trim, and
lighting fixtures remain in place, though many are hidden behind walls erected in
the 60's and 70's.
The City of San Bernardino has plans to restore its Santa Fe Depot to become a
major multi-modal public transportation center. Our goal is not to simply restore
the structure, but to incorporate transportation, historic preservation, and
economic development. In addition, the project will address housing issues
surrounding the economically depressed area into the restoration and adaptive
reuse process. The City envisions the Depot restoration as an engine for
economic development and the implementation of livable communities'
strategies.
In 1999, an architect was retained to prepare preliminary plans, specifications and
estimates for the rehabilitation, seismic retrofit, and adaptive reuse of the Depot.
In late 2000, work began on the final design and engineering. Construction is
expected to begin in early 2002. However, not all the funds needed for the project
have been secured.
In order to inform and solicit community opinion regarding the scope, focus and
priorities for the project, the City has conducted stakeholders' group workshops.
The group workshops participated III the development of the adaptive reuse
analysis.
Neighborhood aSSOCIatIOn groups in the area surrounding the Depot are very
active. They are interested the in assisting because of the economic boost this
project could bring to the area. In addition, the Mt. Vernon Bridge located just
west of the depot is in the process of reconstruction. The Mt. Vernon Project
Area Committee is exited about the Depot project and interested in participating
with the process.
The project stakeholders will be vital to informing the community, regions, and
nation about the status of the project and soliciting feedback concerning plan
components and disseminating information about lessons learned through the
project. In addition to the above mentioned stakeholders, the following groups
have agreed to assist with the project:
. San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society - The non-profit Society has been
an advocate for the restoration of the Depot and its reuse. The Society has plans
to locate a rail museum adjacent to the Depot.
. Omnitrans - The regional bus service provider will partner in the plan to link its
new Transit Center facility with the Depot.
. San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) - As the sub-regional
transportation planning entity, SANBAG will playa key role in interfacing with
the State and Federal governments.
. Grevhound Lines - The passenger bus service provider currently has a terminal
in downtown San Bernardino, and has an organizational goal to locate in multi-
modal facilities. Greyhound will participate in the planning process so that their
needs for the site can be evaluated.
Historic Preservation Status and Plans
The Santa Fe Depot, located on Third Street just east of the Mt. Vernon Bridge,
was constructed in 1918. The building served for many years as the headquarters
for the Santa Fe Railroad. It also included a Harvey House restaurant in the east
wing of the building. The 65,000 square foot building is currently boarded up and
virtually vacant. Amtrak does serve the station on a limited schedule. Although
the traditional link with the downtown has been lost with the construction of a
freeway dividing the Depot district and downtown San Bernardino, a revitalized
Santa Fe Station can serve as a new focal point for the whole community.
The Santa Fe Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a
designated California Point of Historical Interest-CPHI-53 and is identified as a
local landmark in the City's General Plan and the City's 1991 Historic Resources
Reconnaissance Survey. Prior to restoration, Section 106 historic review will be
completed. The Secretary of Interior's standards will be used for the
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rehabilitation work. It is the City's intent to maintain the historicity of the
building while making it a working, lively train station once again.
In 1916, a fire destroyed the original Santa Fe Depot. In 1917, a brand new rock
solid Depot was built. Santa Fe's own architect, W.H. Mohr, designed the Depot.
The Depot's unique architectural style, known as Mission Revival, was known as
the finest structure of its kind on the entire Santa Fe Coastline. The 65,000 square
foot structure was abuzz with activity and a credit to San Bernardino.
The Harvey House Restaurant was built in the Depot in 1921. The Depot also
shared the 20-acre property with a round house and repair shop. The facility was
a renowned stop on the tourist circuit. Many famous people stopped in San
Bernardino in their travels. The Santa Fe Depot really depicted the flair of
California.
The Santa Fe Railroad's historical significance is very important to the City of
San Bernardino. Please see attachment A, the City's Seal, which showcases the
Santa Fe Engine. Attachments Band C are pictures of the Santa Fe Depot as it
was in 1918 and as it is today. Huell Howser, host of California Gold, a
documentary television show that depicts the treasures of California, showcased
the Santa Fe Depot see attachment D, a video taping of the show.
Proposed Uses ofthe Station
As gloomy as parts of the 65,000 square foot Depot look today, there is a great
deal of excitement about the future of the building. There are enormous
opportunities to create a vision of energy, historic preservation and cultural
identity centered around the greatest historical icon of the area. There is a need to
capture a sense of place where people are drawn by the unique character and
urban activity. Some of the possibilities for the restored Depot include:
.
A adjacent museum to house the antique steam engine 3751 and activities
relating to railroad history
Greyhound passenger bus service
Conference and meeting rooms
Government agency offices
Full time Amtrak passenger service, freight service, and crew facilities
Banquets/special events facilities
Celebration of art programs, music and ethnic festivals
.
.
.
.
.
.
A number of inter-modal uses are anticipated for the restored Depot. Omnitrans,
the region's bus operator, is currently based in downtown San Bernardino and is
planning a new transit center in the City that will be located just 1.5 miles from
the Santa Fe Depot. As previously mentioned the Regional Rail Authority's
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Metrolink commuter rail service to Los Angeles and Orange County originates in
San Bernardino on platforms just 25 yards from the Depot. Amtrak currently
provides limited passenger service from the Depot, and is interested in expanding
its service. Greyhound Lines has a passenger terminal less that on mile from the
Depot, and would like to relocate to the site. Additionally, Caltrans has plans to
relocate the 215 Freeway on and off ramps to the west of the freeway, which
would provide better access from the freeway to the Depot.
Economic Development Potential of Project
The traditional link with downtown has been lost in the depot area. A revitalized
Santa Fe Station can serve as a new focal point for a community reawakening.
The revitalization should draw people into the community lending economic and
cultural stimulus. Through creative partnering with train clubs and the railroad,
there is potential for train festivals and a rail-themed museum, exhibits,
entertainment, retail and dining. These elements will drive the economic engine
that is necessary for the revitalization effort.
Fifty years ago, the commercial and residential developments located along
Mount Vernon Avenue were the heart of activity in the San Bernardino Valley.
The Depot was the cornerstone of that active community. As the railroad industry
began to decline the Depot area began to suffer. When the railroad left its
quarters in 1989, the Depot property was left virtually vacant.
In addition, the construction design of Interstate 215 has separated the Santa Fe
Station site from what has been traditionally considered a part of downtown San
Bernardino. The division created by the interstate is now considered a part of the
west side. However, Cal Trans is in the process of expanding the Interstate 215 in
the area of the depot and the new design will lend better accessibility to the west
side of the freeway and the Santa Fe Depot.
The linkage to jobs, services, and centers of trade, which will be made available
through this process, will enhance the quality of life for residents in the
community. The area surrounding the Depot consists of residents in the low to
moderate-income level; and many of those residents rely on public transportation
to commute to work. In addition, how the Depot area should be linked with San
Bernardino's downtown business district will be explored throughout this process.
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Project Management
Investigations have been made for hazardous materials (lead based paint,
asbestos, and pigeon droppings) and toxic waste (PCB and hydrocarbons). This
investigation needs to be supplemented with a mitigation plan prior to the
construction work start date. This will take place in the first phase of
development.
The impacts of noise and air pollution upon the surrounding area need to be
explored. However, the project goal is to reduce the impacts of transportation on
the environment. By enhancing multi-modal transit opportunities, the Depot
project will primarily result in reduced emissions from mobile sources. The
project will examine potential mixed uses for the area, which will result in
"location-efficient" residential development, thereby promoting the use for mass
transit and reduce reliance on automobiles for further environmental
improvements.
While the total project cost will not be known until the consultant
completes the work, SANBAG has estimated the cost of the project at $13-15
million.
ACITIVITY ESTIMATED COST
Environmental Clean-up/Design 2 million
ElectricallPlumbinglHV AC/Structural $11 million
Work.
Site Improvements $300,000
Contingencies $1.3 million
TOTAL $14.6 Million
The Depot restoration process will likely take at least 2 years. This time frame is
typical of case studies throughout the county, primarily because of the time
involved in securing all the necessary funds. The project is in its infancy;
therefore, until the first phase is completed it is difficult to estimate what the
entire process will entail.
The first phase of the project consultant's work has been completed, as follows:
ACTIVITY
Milford Wayne Donaldson, F AlA, INC awarded bid for consulting
services
Task I: Prepare National Register of Historic Places
nomination
Task II: Section 106 Process
Task III: Rehabilitation Analysis
Task IV: Adaptive Reuse Analysis
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Phase II, hazardous waste removal, is scheduled for completion by March 20,
2001.
Phase III involves preparation of environmental document, final plan,
specifications and cost estimate. Phase II is scheduled for completion in August
of2001.
Phase IV is the actual construction phase, which IS scheduled to begin III
November 2001.
Funding Plan:
It is estimated that the total project cost will be $13-15 million. The City has
secured a total of $12.5 million in federal Transportation Equity Act (TEA),
TEA21 and Federal Transit Authority grants and local matching funds. Financial
assistance from The Great American Station Foundation would provide a great
catalyst to the City's efforts in obtaining additional funding from other sources.
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