BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
The restrooms in public parks often provide less-than-pleasant experiences for users. Keeping such facilities clean, odor-free and safe from vandalism has always presented a challenge to the agencies that oversee their maintenance. On September 23, the Signal Hill City Council authorized city staff to move forward with a design for the remodeling of the restroom building in Signal Hill Park. According to staff, the renovations will keep the restroom air fresher while making it harder for vandals to damage the fixtures.
“The need to improve the overall appearance and condition of the Signal Hill Park restroom has always been a desire of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council,” said Barbara Munoz, director of public works, in her report to the council. “In response, staff was able to obtain a Workforce Housing Reward Program grant to construct a new restroom facility in a different location in Signal Hill Park or rehabilitate the existing facility.”
The California Department of Housing and Community Development provides the Housing Reward Program grants as financial incentives to cities and counties that issue building permits for new housing affordable to low- or very low-income households. Grant amounts are based on the total number of bedrooms in the new affordable residences constructed during a 12-month reporting period. Grant money may be used for the acquisition or construction of a municipality’s capital assets, including the facilities located in public parks. The state granted Signal Hill $226,000 through the reward program, just before the state budget crisis put the program in suspension.
Munoz noted that the city has an additional $75,000 in park development fees for the restroom renovation project. The fees are charged to anyone undertaking a construction project in Signal Hill.
Munoz also explained that staff concluded that renovating the existing facility was more cost effective than building a new one. Last July the city council approved a contract with Gardena-based CBM consulting for the design and construction management of the remodel project.
“Staff and CBM consulting reviewed the history of the project and identified the improvements to be accomplished through the design process,” Munoz said. “Improvements to the general appearance of the facility, improved lighting and ventilation, increased capacity, improved privacy screening, and the use of non-absorbent flooring material and vandal-resistant features were some of the items discussed.” She added that the renovated facility will remain compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and use “environmentally sound practices of sustainable building trends.”
On September 10, the Signal Hill Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed CBM’s conceptual design for the restroom renovations and recommended the council’s approval. The council did approve it and also directed staff to work with CBM to complete the final design.
The conceptual design included adding one more toilet to the women’s restroom and one more urinal to the men’s restroom. Other features include privacy enhancements, stainless-steel accessories and significant improvements to the building’s ventilation system.
“An epoxy flooring material will be used due to its durability and color varieties,” Munoz added. “The flooring will provide a non-slip finish that is non-absorbent and easy to maintain.” She noted that its non-absorbent quality will help reduce the undesirable odors currently present in the restrooms.
“(The project) is on a very tight timeline to meet the conditions of the grant,” Munoz stressed. “Our goal is to be out to bid in November and begin construction in February 2009.” She added that staff anticipates a six- to eight-month construction period. “Three portable outhouse-type restrooms with sinks will be placed at the site during construction,” she noted.
About $29,000 of the cost of the restroom renovation will go toward an artistic, mosaic tile design that will be incorporated into the building. “The art project includes the exterior center wall and columns of the restroom entry and two interior murals over the sink areas,” said Kathy Sorensen, director of community services. “Additionally, since the restroom is adjacent to the playground and basketball court and is used by children, youth from the city’s recreation program will assist the artist with using stamps and other impression devices onto soft clay to create the designs to be used for the ceramic mosaic layout.”
The council approved a contract with Stephen Elicker, doing business as Studio 3 Glassworks, for the restroom art project.
