Item 10 - Recieve and File the Washington Park Feasibility Study

Home Browse Search

City of Santa Ana Washington Square Park Feasibility Study July 2025 2. Background In 2022, Mr. John Fairbrother, on behalf of the Alexander Dantes LLC ownership ("Dantes"), reached out to the City, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency (PRCSA), concerning sale of vacant property located within the Washington Square Neighborhood Association (WSNA) boundaries, for a public park for the Washington Square community. The properties, AP-405-321-08, -09, -12, and -13, located along the northern edge of the neighborhood, are four parcels; three undeveloped sites, and one with a single-family home (see Appendix A and B). The properties are currently zoned R-1. His asking price was $6.8M. The appraised value is $4.9M. An internal cost analysis was also conducted and findings are discussed in the "Property Appraisal" section below. Mr. Fairbrothers also reached out to the neighborhood association leaders to relay his contact with the City. In 2023, WSNA requested Public Works Agency (PWA) Park Services attend a neighborhood association meeting to provide an update on another park project: a new park at 10th and Flower Streets, in the Willard neighborhood located to the east. During that meeting, questions were raised by the residents about the vacant parcels within Washington Square, and the neighborhood expressed strong interest for the City to acquire the lots for the purpose of developing their own neighborhood park; 49 of the 50 attendees were in favor of converting the lots for this purpose. City staff informed the group of the funding limitations that exist. The WSNA mobilized a Park Ad -Hoc committee and proceeded to acquire signatures in support of a new public park (see Appendix H). They went on to contact City Council members, and attended numerous PRCSA Commission and City Council meetings to advocate for the study of the park. Elected officials looked to City Executive Management staff who recommended a Feasibility Study before acquisition could be considered. WSNA attended the Measure X Oversight Committee meeting to lobby for funding. In 2024, when the City adopted the FY24/25 Annual Budget, it included a $100,000 allocation for this study. Although initial direction was given to the staff to retain a consultant for this endeavor, it was determined that the feasibility study could be conducted internally, and such is the purpose of this report. The study included input and involvement of four internal agencies — PWA, CDA, PBA, PRCSA, with PWA Park Services leading the effort. In particular, the study included examining the City's General Plan/Open Space Element, the Parks Master Plan, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program and the Stormwater Master Plan. The following analysis and findings support the final determination that this request aligns with City Planning efforts and approved planning documents, and is a viable consideration. Page 5