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San Rafael outlines modular replacement, $1.3M budget for Pickleweed Preschool
Summary
City staff presented design plans to replace aging Pickleweed Preschool buildings with modern modular classrooms and a multipurpose admin building. The $1.3 million budget would fund improved restrooms, play areas and site work; construction is targeted for summer 2025 pending final design and bidding.
San Rafael staff presented updated designs and a timeline on Oct. 16 for replacing the aging Pickleweed Preschool buildings at Pickleweed Park.
Craig Barraman, assistant library and recreation director, told the Park and Recreation Commission the preschool serves about 68 children in two AM/PM classroom cohorts and that one building suffered water damage and was demolished. "We actually recommended we demo the building, which we did," Barraman said, explaining the facility assessment found the remaining portable buildings are at the end of their useful life.
The project team proposed using modular (portable) classroom units and a new multipurpose administrative building that would include a kitchen, office space and a check-in area. Staff described site improvements including restrooms added directly to classrooms, a new playground, raised garden beds, improved accessible pathways, perimeter fencing and shade structures. "This proposal wouldn't expand the square footage of the preschool," Barraman said; the design matches the existing footprint to comply with state licensing requirements.
Staff said the city established a $1,300,000 budget for the work and listed funding and program supports that help operate the preschool, including the California state preschool program grant (staff said it covers roughly 82% of operating costs), CDBG and contributions from First 5 Marin and the Marin Child Care Council. Barraman said the budget can fund higher-quality modular units but not a permanent building.
Commissioners pressed staff on whether a permanent facility remains an aspiration. Barraman and Andrew Powell, the project's DPW project manager, said the city has pursued grant funding multiple times for permanent construction but has not secured enough support. "Given that, I think we continue to see deterioration of the facility and knew we needed to act," Barraman said. Powell added that modular units are being designed with floodplain requirements in mind and that expected lifespan for well-built modular classrooms is typically 25 to 30 years.
Staff said design development will continue through the fall, with a goal to finalize design this winter and to bid construction so work can begin in summer 2025 — a timing intended to avoid disrupting the preschool during the school year. If necessary, staff said they have contingency plans to temporarily run some programming at the adjacent community center.
The commission was asked to receive the report; staff said no commission vote was required at this stage and that a construction contract would later be brought to City Council.
The commission asked staff to continue pursuing permanent funding and to incorporate commissioner feedback into the final design. The commission did not take action beyond receiving the update.
