Hillcrest Park rebuild

Every hearing and vote

1. January 26, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: Future of Hillcrest Park and the former Hillcrest school

   Discussed

   Landmark Design and Method Studios presented three concepts for the Hillcrest Elementary property: keep the whole school building, keep part of it with more open recreation space, or remove it for an all-park design. All options include a well and a detention area. The City Manager said the council will need to decide the building's fate and that staff expect a public input process.

   • Options: retain building; retain a portion; demolish

2. February 9, 2021 · City Council work session

   Hillcrest Park concepts

   Discussed

   Landmark Design walked through the three concepts shown at the prior meeting. Members discussed the condition of the media center and gym, the cost of keeping them, and whether to reuse existing pavilions and restrooms. The council agreed to try to schedule a meeting with a private entity interested in the property under the concept that keeps the building. The City Manager said the concepts are suggestions drawn from the Parks Master Plan and resident feedback and the council can ask for other amenities.

3. February 23, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: Hillcrest Park public engagement

   Discussed

   Staff launched a Hillcrest Park webpage showing the two concepts the council has approved for outreach and their cost estimates, with electronic public meetings set for March 4. Members raised whether the time allotted would be enough and discussed having the Recreation Committee review the options. The City Manager said the concepts reflect needs identified in the Parks Master Plan, which was based on a statistically valid survey.

   • Public meetings: March 4, 2021 (electronic)

4. April 13, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: Parks Master Plan survey and Hillcrest Park public input

   Discussed

   Y2 Analytics presented results of the Parks Master Plan survey update on park use, trails, the fitness center and funding priorities. Landmark Design then summarized public comments on the two Hillcrest Park concepts: Concept A keeping part of the school and Concept B with no school. Members discussed funding for trails through the regional planning body and which features residents most wanted.

5. May 25, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: CARE tax grant deliberations

   Discussed

   Staff listed city-related arts requests (Hale Center Theater feasibility study $35,000, Library Hall performance piano $30,000, public art $25,000, SCERA Park art features $125,000) and recreation requests (Hillcrest Park $750,000, indoor leisure pool upgrades $310,625, SCERA Park toddler playground $125,000, co-sponsored groups $30,000). Council Member Jeff Lambson said the CARE commission arrived at $80,870 in mini and mid-major grants, including three new applicants. Members discussed one-time funding and wanting more detailed proposals in future.

   • Hale Center Theater feasibility study $35,000; piano $30,000; public art $25,000; SCERA Park art $125,000
   • Leisure pool upgrades $310,625; SCERA toddler playground $125,000; co-sponsored groups $30,000

6. June 29, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: American Rescue Plan Act funding

   Discussed

   Staff reviewed Treasury guidance, eligible uses (public health, economic impacts, premium pay, water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, administrative expenses) and reporting requirements for the city's American Rescue Plan Act money, which the minutes record as just over $16 (unit not shown). Projects being explored include funding for Hillcrest Park and a new City Hall. The council also toured The Green at Campus Drive with its property manager before the session.

   • Possible uses: Hillcrest Park, new City Hall

7. July 13, 2021 · City Council

   Work session: Hillcrest Park master design

   Discussed

   Landmark Design presented a master design with a demonstration garden, twelve new pickleball courts, a splash pad and large open lawn spaces. The consultant recommended building in one phase as most cost effective, and the City Manager said the city could likely pay for the whole project at once. Members discussed basketball and tennis court locations, shade, water conservation, homeless people near the park and better access from a rest home to the west. The council agreed on the direction of the design.

   • Features: demonstration garden, 12 pickleball courts, splash pad, open lawns

8. March 9, 2022 · City Council

   Hillcrest Park conceptual master plan (work session)

   Discussed

   Cory Shupe of Blue Line Designs presented the conceptual master plan. The council supported the direction, discussed a ridable train, and asked staff to design a robust water park feature and a walking path around the whole park rather than a quarter-mile track.

9. March 22, 2022 · City Council

   City manager update: Hillcrest Park bids, Palisade survey

   Discussed

   Davidson reported on water meter replacement, general contractor bids for Hillcrest Park, purchase of a bus for the Senior Friendship Center, and the survey on Palisade Drive speed tables and choker islands.

10. April 26, 2022 · City Council

    Hillcrest Park and water tank updates (work session)

    Discussed

    Staff said Hillcrest Park is about 30 percent designed, Bud Mahas Construction was selected as general contractor, and well #1 relocation is on hold due to cost. The water tank design is about 60 percent complete, the pump station 50 percent and utility lines 70 percent; Hydro Resources was selected for well drilling. Staff also described an adjacent property owner's request tied to a fence and a right of first offer at the Heritage Park water tank site.

11. May 24, 2022 · City Council

    Hillcrest Park design update (work session)

    Discussed

    Blu Line Designs showed an updated design with expanded walking paths, a splash pad, an outdoor plaza, lit pickleball courts, one added parking bay and one access point tied to the BRT crosswalk on University Parkway; a well is not funded now but a site is reserved. The restroom plan has 14 enclosed gender-neutral stalls with shared sinks and two large family rooms. Council Members LaNae Millet and Debby Lauret said the shared layout was uncomfortable and asked for some women-only restrooms and at least four family rooms; Council Member David Spencer asked for separate men's and women's restrooms; Peterson shared the concern. Mayor Young asked the designers to return with cost-effective redesigns.

12. September 27, 2022 · City Council

    Hillcrest Park design update (work session)

    Discussed

    Designers from Blueline Designs presented a revised Hillcrest Park layout, moving the splash pad, pathways and hammock area to save existing trees. They said the site plan changed because of fire code and building architecture, and that the building was modified slightly to reduce cost. Demolition bids were due Sept. 29 and about 30 days were expected to bring a demolition contractor on board.

    • Design firm: Blueline Designs
    • Demolition bids due: Sept. 29, 2022

13. October 11, 2022 · City Council

    City manager report: Hillcrest Park, UTOPIA, city center building

    Discussed

    City Manager Jamie Davidson said Hillcrest Park demolition would begin the following week, that the bid came in under the estimate, and that the construction phase would be bid over the winter. He also gave an update on UTOPIA interest rates and amounts, and on ceiling-height concerns for the new city center building, which may require a code amendment.

14. October 25, 2022 · City Council

    Recreation Advisory Commission annual report

    Discussed

    The commission chair reviewed fitness center memberships, expanded fitness and leisure pool features, co-sponsored sports programs and the SCERA pool membership. Projects listed include Hillcrest Park (October 2023 target), Lakeside Park improvements, playgrounds at SCERA, Springwater and Sharon parks, and the Nielsen's Grove pavilion. City Manager Jamie Davidson said the CARE tax will be on the ballot in November 2023.

15. October 25, 2022 · City Council

    City manager report: live streaming, Hillcrest Park demolition, Heritage tank bids, 1600 North

    Discussed

    Mayor Young said parts of the previous two meetings were not live streamed to avoid a possible violation of Utah Code 20A-11-203; the meetings were recorded and videos can be requested from the city recorder. Mr. Davidson said Hillcrest Park demolition was under way using public works crews, and that bids for the Heritage Park water tank closed with pricing better than estimated and contract work would begin soon. He said UVU had received $20 million from UCCU to build a soccer field. The 1600 North widening from three to five lanes has appropriated funds that are not enough and is dropping on UDOT's priority list; he proposed a letter to UDOT.

16. June 27, 2023 · City Council

    Hillcrest Park construction tour (work session)

    Discussed

    Council members toured Hillcrest Park with the design and construction team (Blu Line, WPA architects and Bud Mahas Construction). Plans include a splash pad, pickleball courts, a walking path and open grass, and a building with a basketball court, snack bar and lounge. The tentative completion date is October 31, 2023.