Salinas staff give status updates on Hebron center, Closter Park, Natividad restroom repairs and other parks projects

City staff provided a consolidated status update on multiple parks, recreation and library capital projects, including funding sources, timelines and problems encountered on the Natividad Creek Park restroom rehabilitation.

Anna Ambaris summarized the master plan background and funding that underpins many projects. She said the city received $8,100,000 in state funds for demolition and reconstruction of the Hebron Family Center and that the total project cost is more than $14,000,000, funded with community development block grants, ARPA funds and the state allocation. The council awarded a construction contract to DD Construction in May 2025; construction is active and Ambaris said the estimated completion date is December 2025.

Ambaris said Closter Park received a $6,800,000 Proposition 68 award; the total project cost is $10,000,000, combining Prop 68, ARPA and general fund dollars. The city awarded a construction contract to Mawire and Hester and held a groundbreaking; the project has an 18-month construction schedule with an anticipated opening in fall 2026.

On the Natividad Creek Park restroom rehabilitation project, Ambaris said the city awarded a contract to HNA Construction in June 2023 but that the project encountered serious problems during construction, including work completed below industry standards, labor compliance issues and falsified documents. The city terminated HNA in August 2024 after partial completion. In December of last year the council accepted the driveway approach and ADA parking stalls to allow progress; the restrooms remain incomplete. Public Works is now managing the project, staff held an on-site bid walk in mid-March and bids are pending. Ambaris said portable restrooms have been provided while work is pending and that the city is assessing remaining scope and cost before determining whether additional funding will be needed.

Other updates included: • Cesar Chavez artificial turf soccer field — project completed and open; total cost described as just shy of $2,000,000 and managed by Public Works. • Cesar Chavez Trail improvements — completed; total cost $662,000, funded by Proposition 68 per-capita funds and LSL vibrancy plan funds. • Closter Park ADA restroom improvements — council awarded a contract to Tom Bensom Inc. for $487,000 with a 90-day construction period; a kickoff meeting is scheduled. • Firehouse ADA restroom improvements — design work underway with Public Works; project split from Closter work because of site constraints. • Playgrounds and repairs — $2,000,000 in ARPA funds were allocated to playground structures and repairs; two playground replacements (Natividad and Steinbeck Neighborhood Park) and systemwide resurfacing were completed; Williams Ranch construction started March 17 (anticipated completion end of month) and Northgate began construction with a 75-day schedule aiming for July opening. • District 5 recreation center — council appropriated $8,100,000 to build a recreation center in District 5; the city engaged ABA for a Northgate feasibility study expected to take three to five months and to include public engagement.

Commissioners asked for details on termite-damaged picnic tables at Cesar Chavez Park, the contractor problems and whether temporary restroom facilities were available; staff confirmed portable restrooms are on site and said they would provide additional written cost details when available. Commissioners also asked for more notice on community engagement opportunities; staff said neighborhoods targeted by projects had been the focus of outreach but committed to inform commissioners of upcoming surveys and meetings.

The update covered many active capital projects; most items were informational and did not require commission action during the meeting.