To:   HONORABLE MAYOR AND                   From:   Del D. Borgsdorf

                        CITY COUNCIL                                                        Susan F. Shick

 

   Subject:   APPLICATION FOR THE                           Date:   December 1, 2003

                        HISTORICAL HERITAGE

                        GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for the Historical Heritage Grant Program funds provided by the Santa Clara County Park Charter for improvements to Saint James Park.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

St. James Park is one of the most historic public open spaces in downtown San Jose.  Located in the Century Center Redevelopment Project Area, the park is bounded by St. John, St. James, 1st and 3rd Streets.  This 7.6-acre park also has been the home to the St. James Senior Center since 1968. 

 

The St. James Park’s future was revisited with an update of its Master Plan in 2002.  The main goals of the Master Plan Update were to retain the National Register designation, to upgrade the visual environment of the park to reflect its role as one of the most important public open spaces in Downtown San Jose, and to enhance the programmability and opportunity to use the park for events.  Because of the budget shortfalls, it was expected that many of the Master Plan recommendations would need to wait for budget prioritization.  An opportunity exists however, to implement some of the recommended projects via a Historical Heritage Grant Program.  This program is administered by the Santa Clara Department of Parks and Recreation.

 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Historical Heritage Grant Program funds are provided by the Santa Clara County Park Charter and are restricted to “ park purpose” use only.  Funds are made available on a reimbursement basis, and no advance funds are available.

 

The Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission (HHC) will be reviewing the applications.  It is the priority of the HHC to fund stabilization, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation planning, interpretive, and educational projects that assist the HHC in accomplishing its mission to protect, preserve, and promote the historical and cultural heritage of Santa Clara County.  Grant funds sought by applicants to complete projects such as routine maintenance work, state or federal code compliance, reconstruction, and new construction may be considered a lower funding priority.  The total grant amount available is $500,000.  Each grant can range from $5,000 to $200,000.

 

City and Agency staffs propose to submit a grant application for improvements that were prioritized in the Master Plan that can be made independently.  In other words, these stand-alone projects would not be disrupted by future work contemplated in the Master Plan.  In the Master Plan, staff recommended the following improvements:

 

1.                  Restore the McKinley and Naglee historical monuments to be consistent with the Master Plan Update and enhance with up-lighting.

 

The monuments reinforce the overall feel of the park and recognize some of the important events that took place in the park.  The McKinley monument is located where McKinley stood when he spoke in the park and should not be relocated.  Therefore, this monument would remain in its existing location.  The General Naglee monument location has no historical significance and should be moved to become part of the historical loop walk.  The monuments should be restored and up-lit to clarify their historic context within the park.  The lighting is important for aesthetic reasons, and vandalism prevention.

 

This project recommendation is contained within the 2002 St. James Park Master Plan recommendations and is consistent with the guidelines set forth by the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Cultural Landscapes (“Standards”).  To obtain the grant funds, the City must submit an authorizing resolution from its governing body to apply for the funds thought the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. 

 

The deadline to apply for this grant is December 5, 2003.

 

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

Not applicable.

 

 

COORDINATION

 

This memo was coordinated with the Agency’s General Counsel.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

Staff estimates that this project will be in an amount not to exceed $200,000.  The grant program is on a reimbursable basis only.  If the Agency’s application is approved, the Agency staff will return to the Agency’s Board to request an appropriation for the project.

 

 

CEQA

 

Exempt.  PP02-05-108.

 

 

DEL D. BORGSDORF                                                SUSAN F. SHICK

City Manager                                                               Executive Director