Sunnyvale 4B board weighs synthetic turf vs. natural grass for Jobson Park as budget concerns mount

The Sunnyvale 4B Development Corporation spent most of its meeting discussing whether the planned Jobson Park should be finished with synthetic turf or irrigated natural grass and how to fit the project within current bond and maintenance budgets.

Parks Director Thomas Anich told the board the project has progressed from a May design kickoff through 30% construction documents and is moving toward 60% design, with a staff target to reach 100% design in April and begin bidding in May. "The opinion of probable cost is, potentially what it was when you had the 30% set, which is around $13,400,000," Anich said, and noted a switch to natural grass could reduce the opinion of probable cost to about $9,900,000.

Why it matters: the cost difference matters for Sunnyvale because bond proceeds and general-fund maintenance both factor into whether the town can deliver all amenities without seeking additional debt or cuts. Staff said roughly $7.0 million was set aside for construction (with $2.2 million for design) and that some bond…