City presents $1.3 million plan to renovate Pickleweed Preschool; committee receives report

City staff presented a $1.3 million plan to renovate the Pickleweed Preschool facility at Pickleweed Park and told the Pickleweed Advisory Committee the project aims to replace aging classroom buildings with modern portable classrooms and upgraded outdoor learning areas.

Craig Vermey, assistant library and recreation director, said the city has identified $1.3 million in building-maintenance funds to support replacing two classroom buildings and the administrative/multipurpose building. The proposal would keep the program’s current licensed capacity — about 68 children split between morning and afternoon sessions, with a state-contracted maximum of 17 children per classroom — while upgrading restrooms sized for toddlers, playgrounds, site paving, landscaping, shade structures and site security.

"We are planning to renovate Pickleweed Preschool, and we wanted to share our plans with you so that we could hear your thoughts on the new design, and we could share with you the timeline for when this work would be completed," Vermey said. He said the design team assessed building conditions and concluded the existing classrooms are at or near the end of their useful life; staff sought a cost-effective solution that can be delivered within the available city funds.

Senior recreation supervisor Gabby Burgess and center supervisor Karina Vasquez joined Vermey and consultant Ivan Frando to present conceptual drawings. The plan calls for two new portable classroom buildings placed in roughly the same footprints as existing units, new toddler-sized restrooms inside classrooms, an updated multipurpose/administrative building with kitchen equipment, improved accessible pathways and an enclosed preschool playground tailored to toddlers. The city would not increase enrollment capacity as part of this project.

Staff told the committee the proposed portable buildings will be placed on concrete foundations and footings rather than the current wood piers; consultant Ivan Frando estimated the expected useful lifespan for the new portables at about 30 years if properly maintained. Vermey said the design team explored modular and permanent options but judged permanent construction cost-prohibitive given current funding; the portable approach was selected as the most feasible within the $1.3 million budget.

Committee members and public commenters raised questions about site security, cameras and park activity adjacent to the preschool. Vermey said the plan currently does not include surveillance cameras but staff will improve signage and consider additional measures in coordination with staff and community partners. The committee also discussed timing: staff intends to finish design this winter, solicit construction bids in spring, and target on-site fabrication and installation in summer 2026 to avoid interrupting the school year. Vermey said staff will aim to stage work to avoid displacing the program but acknowledged a contingency plan would be needed if construction extends beyond summer.

The committee voted to receive the report. Roll-call votes recorded yes from Member Arbit, Member Campos, Member Nguyen, Member Ruiz, Member Sprague and Member Vasquez and the motion to acknowledge receipt was recorded as approved.

Staff noted funding sources discussed in the presentation: the California Department of Education provides most operational funding for the state-licensed program; the preschool has also received Community Development Block Grant funds and Marin Child Care Council support in the past. Vermey said the city has continued to apply for state grants for a more permanent solution but has not secured additional funds; the $1.3 million budget is drawn from the city’s building maintenance fund.

Several committee members and residents urged staff to consider replanting trees when removals are necessary and to continue exploring options for summer use of the site. The project will proceed through final design, Park and Recreation Commission review and then to bidding and construction as schedule and funding permit.

Votes at a glance: Motion to receive staff report on Pickleweed Preschool renovation — Outcome: approved to receive (Yes: Arbit, Campos, Nguyen, Ruiz, Sprague, Vasquez).