Council backs concept plan for Japanese garden along Spur Trail, trims scope to cut costs

Summary

The council approved moving forward with a scaled ‘Woven Strands’ concept for a Japanese garden along the Spur Trail near Millbrae Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. The design was reduced from a $3.5 million water-feature plan to a roughly $1.5 million plan that removes the water element and preserves amphitheater seating and a wisteria arbor.

The Millbrae City Council on July 22 directed staff to proceed with a refined concept plan for a Japanese Garden along the Spur Trail near Mills High School, approving the next design and cost-estimation steps by a 5–0 vote.

Community Development Director Andy Mogensen and Daniel Cunningham, principal landscape architect with SWA Group, briefed the council on a multi-year design process led by the Sister Cities Commission. The commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended a “Woven Strands” design that retains an amphitheater-style seating area, a signature arbor (wisteria canopy), bench seating, cherry trees and central lawn space, while removing the previously proposed water feature to lower construction and maintenance costs.

Mogensen said the original concept with a water feature…

Council backs concept plan for Japanese garden along Spur Trail, trims scope to cut costs

Summary

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