There has been movement in the right direction, I believe, for the Civic Center master plan. The project architect and City staff appear to have abandoned the idea of building a new Hall of Justice in front of the Richmond Art Center. The latest thinking is to build it on what is now a parking lot between 24^th and 25^th Street, facing 24th Street. See the attached PDF file, and look for “Option C.”

There will be a community meeting August 15, 2006, to share the latest plans and solicit input. I do not have a time and place yet. If you call 510/ 307-8140, either Alan Wolken, Kinshasa Towns or Steve Duran can provide additional information.  If you can come into City Hall during the week, just call for an appointment and Redevelopment Agency staff can show you what’s up.

Project / Program Description:  The Civic Center Master Plan is the basis for the rehabilitation of Civic Center and the redevelopment of adjacent sites.  The primary purpose of the project is to move City administrative functions back to a revitalized Civic Center campus.  The private sector portion of the project is envisioned to include residential, retail and possibly office space components.

Status:  The City Council and Agency Board chose the Alliance Group as the developer for this project on June 21, 2005. An Agreement to Negotiate Exclusively (ANE) has been executed and a design-build contract for the first phase of the project is in negotiations.  Staff is also studying potential modifications to the Civic Center Master Plan because new space requirements for a new and larger library and relocation of the Richmond History Museum to the site have been proposed.  Staff and Alliance Group made a presentation to City Council regarding the first amendment to the ANE and first phase Civic Center improvements.  City Council approved the first phase improvements to include new Hall of Justice renovated City Hall, Auditorium and Civic Center Plaza.

Next Steps:

• Complete senior management assessment of project plan, including site layout.
• Complete space programming and obtain City Manager’s final approval.
• Complete negotiation of contracts for the first phase of improvements.
• Commence preparation of financing instruments for Phase I.
• Continue historical analysis and CEQA document preparation.
• Complete concept plans for review by DRB/Planning Commission and City Council.