The council on Aug. 28 approved a staff recommendation to proceed with lower-cost hardscape and a phased landscape approach at the Park at Rispin Mansion so the site can open to the public while preserving options for future enhancements.

Contractors on site reported that stamped concrete around the fountain and plaza—previously planned to mimic historic pavers—would exceed the project budget. Staff proposed three options: (1) full stamped-concrete finish, (2) stamped asphalt as a lower-cost alternative, or (3) decomposed granite (DG) for plaza areas with the small staircase landing completed in reclaimed pavers. Council preferred option 3.

Council also endorsed a city-managed donor paver program (modeled on the library paver fundraiser) that would allow residents and businesses to purchase engraved pavers; staff will return with program guidelines. For landscaping, council asked staff to issue an RFP for partner organizations interested in planting and long-term maintenance. Councilmembers noted the site’s historical features (roses and original planting beds) and asked staff to work with community volunteers and the Friends of Rispin to retain historically appropriate species.

Staff said core civil work, lighting and ADA access would be completed under the existing contract and that additional decorative and art pieces, plus a proposed public-art fountain mosaic, would be pursued later—pending fundraising and potential National Endowment for the Arts grant outcomes. Several longtime volunteers urged keeping a mosaic fountain option alive rather than permanently infilling the basin.

Staff will prepare specifics for the donor program, solicit partner proposals for landscaping and return with a budget and timeline for adding artwork and pavers.