City hires Lamar Johnson Collaborative to design Shaw Park livable‑community plan; $7M program target noted

The Board approved Aug. 12 a contract with Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) for professional design services to prepare the livable‑community master plan for the Shaw Park (former ice‑rink) site. Navigate Building Solutions acted as the city’s owner representative during the selection; LJC’s negotiated fee is $646,900 including $10,000 of reimbursable expenses and a recommended 5% contingency ($32,345).

Staff described the owner’s program and scope: an event lawn capable of accommodating a temporary ice surface, a small flexible building for restrooms/concessions, new pickleball and other courts if space allows, streetscape and ADA improvements along Brentwood, and reconfiguration of the site that will remove Tennis Court 10 and the Century Garden. The contract includes discovery, schematic and design development, construction documents, bidding and construction administration services. The city noted a program budget cap of $7 million to guide design and that design work is expected over the next 12 months with construction bidding planned for 2026.

Staff said community engagement checkpoints are included and that the city will use a steering committee plus reviews by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Board of Aldermen at key milestones. The contract terms allow phased work and contain provisions allowing the city to pause or scale the project if budget or other priorities require, staff said.

Bill No. 7085 authorizing the contract was introduced and adopted by unanimous recorded vote.