After several years of planning and community involvement, City Council approved a contract Tuesday for Orizaba Park’s new community building, which will be designed with energy efficiency and water conservation in mind. The community center–which will be built with $2.2 million in Proposition 84 grant funds–is intended to provide after school programs, digital academy training and potential space for neighborhood groups, meetings and events.
“This is a good moment for Orizaba Park,” said 4th District Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell. “It has seen a lot of improvements from community dedication.”
The Redevelopment Agency built the park at 14th St. and Orizaba Ave. on land that was formerly occupied by industrial property and have since added a skate park, covered picnic areasbasketball courts and a fitness station. Major expansion and park renovations were completed in 2011–except for the community building. The project was advertised for bids on March 4 of this year, however, and bids opened on April 10. Of the seven bids received, G2K Construction Inc. won the right to develop the 3000 square-foot community building.
The single-story Community Building is designed to improve indoor air quality for inhabitants, and reduce water and electricity consumption by over 30%. It is intended to provide after school programs, digital academy training and potential space for neighborhood groups, meetings and events.
City officials estimate that $83,000 will be needed annually for maintenance and operation of the youth programs, landscaping, utilities and supplies–costs that at the moment remain unfunded. It is also unknown how many full-time equivalent employees will be needed for staffing and maintenance, though, once finished, the nearby Freeman Youth Center will move into the new building, allowing it to expand youth services and also offer adult and senior services.
“This is a good thing to correct some of our past planning mistakes across the city,” O’Donnell said.
Read more:
- Community Invited to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Orizaba Park January 21
- Orizaba Park Community Center Design Topic of Thursday Meeting
- Long Beach Will Receive Nearly $3M For New, Improved Parks
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