Malibu council awards $4.1 million skate‑park contract, approves naming‑rights outreach

The Malibu City Council on March 10 voted unanimously to award the construction contract for a permanent Malibu skate park and to appropriate roughly $2.9 million to cover a funding shortfall.

Council action followed staff reports that the lowest responsive bid for the permanent facility totaled about $4,100,000, leaving the city short roughly $2,900,000 to fully fund the project. Rob Debow, a city staff presenter, told the council that the contractor, CS Legacy Construction, submitted the lowest bid and that the Administration & Finance Committee recommended an additional appropriation so work can start.

The vote cleared the way for staff to finalize the contract and begin mobilization. The council also directed staff to pursue donor outreach under the city’s naming‑rights policy rather than close off private support; staff asked the council to confirm whether the new park should be eligible for naming rights and whether the Parks and Recreation Commission should review prospective donors and terms.

“Bids came in about $4,100,000,” Rob Debow said during his presentation, noting the funding gap and the committee recommendation for additional funding. Kirsten (city staff) added that, if the council decides the park is eligible for naming rights, staff would solicit potential donors and asked the council to provide a threshold for any naming arrangement and whether the Parks and Recreation Commission should review candidate names and terms.

Public commenters urged quick approval and asked the council to avoid long naming terms or exclusive corporate branding. Norm Haney, a longtime skate‑park advocate, told the council the community has waited decades for a permanent facility and urged approval. “The city has been waiting for a skateboard park for many, many years, probably close to 30 years,” Haney said. Scholar Peak, another speaker, praised building the park now and asked the council to call it “Malibu Skate Park” rather than a corporate brand so future generations recognize it as a community asset.

Council members exchanged limited remarks before voting. One council member said the park could raise outside funds to support other parks and that the facility’s primary name should remain “Malibu Skate Park” while donor recognition could be applied to discrete park elements.

Council members also discussed logistics around the temporary skate park now on site: staff said the temporary wooden ramps would be evaluated for salvage or repurposing and that the temporary parking area will become permanent skate‑park parking once construction begins. Staff told the council there is a 30‑day notice required to vacate a month‑to‑month tenant occupying the nearby parking lot that the city intends to use for permanent parking.

The council’s motion directed staff to (1) award the construction contract to CS Legacy Construction and appropriate the additional funds to proceed; (2) proceed with donor outreach under the city’s naming‑rights policy with the Parks and Recreation Commission to review any proposed donor names/terms; and (3) evaluate reuse or donation of temporary ramps and maintain temporary skate‑park access as long as safely feasible during construction. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all five members recording “yes.”

The vote clears the final city approvals needed for contract award; staff said contractor mobilization and on‑site work will follow city contract closeout and the required 30‑day tenant notice for the adjacent lot. Council members and community speakers said they hope a groundbreaking celebration will follow soon after mobilization.