PARKING STRUCTURE - DESIGN STATUS

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the preliminary design development concept for the Lot C parking structure and direct staff to begin preparation of construction documents based upon this concept.

BACKGROUND:

On April 8, 1997, the City Council awarded the architectural and engineering design services contract for the lot C parking structure located at 1301 Hermosa Avenue to Gordon Chong & Partners. This architectual firm has demonstrated design excellence in parking structures, particularly in an urban context, and is much respected in the industry for their ability to create structures that are functional as well as aesthically aware.

ANALYSIS:

Gordon Chong and Associates will present to City Council preliminary design drawings, materials samples and models of their latest concepts. These designs were developed during discussions and meetings with members of the City of Hermosa Beach Parking Structure Design Review Committee and also reflect ideas presented by City Council and participating residents at the City Council meeting of May 29, 1997.

The structures design is intended to relate to the lower scaled developments of the downtown and to maintain as much of the view corridor to the beach as possible. Long openings and simple shapes help to keep the profile of the building low. Landscape elements are proposed on all four sides of the project, softening the edges and contributing to the designs intent.