Phase 2: Schematic Design

On August 15, 2016, Healdsburg City Council directed staff to develop a schematic design plan that:

Maximizes parking
Preserves the façade and a portion of the building
Includes bathrooms and a kitchen
Can be implemented in phases
Uses an ecologically friendly surface for the parking lot surface

In addition, City Council directed that the site needs to function as the permanent home of the Healdsburg Farmer's Market.

Schematic Design Process

With City Council’s direction to remove a portion of the building and a renewed focus on the site design, the City added Andrea Cochran Landscape Architects out of San Francisco to the design team to assist with schematic design. The design team evaluated different approaches to meet City Council's direction. As part of this work the team analyzed how best to maximize parking on the site, considered the advantages/disadvantages of preserving the front versus the rear portion of the structure, discussed where the façade should be placed, and evaluated whether some of the more prominent architectural elements of the structure could be re-purposed.

The outcome of this work is the proposed schematic design. Elements of the schematic design include:

Parking
Repurposing the existing structure to include approximately 5,200 square feet of “pavilion” covered space for events and activities, with an additional 6,100 square feet of multi-purpose parking and "open air" event space
A catering kitchen and restrooms
Secondary unloading and loading area on the west side of the site for staging events and activities
Single vehicle entry point to minimize potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts
Emergency vehicle access to Foss Street

Cost Estimates

The design team developed updated cost estimates and concluded that the total estimated project cost would be $5,320,809. City Council requested that the design team consider phasing options for the project. The design team proposed a three phased approach:

Phase 1, Parking: Site preparation; utilities; construction of parking lot on east side of site; all site amenities associated with work in this area ($1,150,085).
Phase 2, Open Air Event Space/Parking: Demolition of the front portion of the structure; salvaging and installing truss systems, footings and foundations; pavement installation; utilities; all site amenities associated with work in this area ($1,984,246).
Phase 3, Pavilion Demolition and renovation of the pavilion building; carpentry, plumbing and site mechanicals; electric; all site amenities associated with work in this area ($2,186,478).

View a detailed report on the cost estimates for the schematic design here.

Public Input

The City held additional public input sessions on the proposed schematic design to get additional feedback and input:

Focus groups with representatives of the Farmer’s Market and event planners to get additional feedback and input:
A fourth a public open house to get feedback on the proposed schematic design:

The feedback was nearly unanimous in support of the schematic design with questions focusing on capacity for the Farmer’s Market, winter use, site circulation, the façade, phasing, and funding. This feedback would be analyzed as part of the future design work.

Recommendations and Direction

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Recommendation, April 12, 2017:
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the schematic design and on a vote of 7-0 recommended approval.
Meeting Packet
Meeting Presentation

City Council Approval, May 15, 2017:
After over two hours of public testimony and discussion, a motion by Councilmember McCaffery, seconded by Councilmember Ziedrich, directed staff to develop a schematic design plan that: