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Sunnyvale approves $1.297 million design contract for Jobson Park improvements
Summary
Council authorized an engineering design contract with Half Associates to produce landscape, civil and MEP design and construction administration for Jobson Park. The contract incorporates turf fields, lighting, restroom, playground, parking and perimeter landscaping; neighbors requested screening and limits on turfing.
The Sunnyvale Town Council voted 5-0 April 28 to authorize the town manager to execute an engineering design contract with Half Associates for Jobson Park improvements, in an amount stated in the motion as $1,297,000.
Staff said the contract covers landscape architecture, civil engineering, structural and MEP engineering, surveying, bidding and construction administration for an updated Jobson Park concept approved previously by council and the 4B board. The concept staff described includes conversion and addition of artificial turf athletic fields, added lighting for evening use, expanded parking, a restroom, playground, shade pavilion, trail connections, perimeter landscaping and irrigation and ornamental fencing.
Public comment at the meeting reflected a range of views. Several residents urged preserving open green space at Jobson Park and asked council to consider a scaled-back option that retains more natural turf and neighborhood character. Neighbors asked staff to specify the width and plantings of buffers along Tavener and Mitchell lanes and asked for fencing and landscape plans that would limit parking and protect sight lines. Other residents and youth coaches urged the council to proceed, citing rapidly growing youth sports participation and the need for practice fields.
Council members and staff emphasized that the design contract does not lock the town into a final build; the design process includes 30/60/90 percent check points and the council can scale back or alter the project as other greenfield opportunities materialize. Staff said certain neighborhood-level site improvements—parking, irrigation and buffers—will need design work regardless of whether the athletic-field footprint is reduced.
Motion: authorize the town manager to execute the contract with Half Associates for Jobson Park design and associated engineering services for $1,297,000. Mover: Mr. Clark. Second: Dr. Woodrow. Vote: 5–0 (Mr. Finch and Mr. Eldridge absent).
Staff indicated the project will proceed through design phases and return to council at key milestones for review and decisions about final scope and mitigation measures requested by nearby residents.
