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Buena Park approves $207,580 design contract for Friendship Park Korean pavilion after procurement debate
Summary
The city approved a professional-services agreement with Son Architect to design a Korean pavilion at Friendship Park, using a specialized-scope exception rather than a formal RFP; council members debated fairness and schedule before voting 4–1 to proceed.
The Buena Park City Council voted 4–1 to award a $207,580 professional-services agreement to Son Architect to design a Korean pavilion, garden and sundial at Friendship Park.
Assistant engineer Hyung Sun Lee told the council the pavilion would be manufactured in South Korea and require specialized coordination, fabrication oversight and onsite design work. Staff presented two contracting options: a competitive design-build RFP or phased contracts for design, fabrication and local installation. Lee said staff recommended direct award under the city’s municipal code exceptions for specialized scope rather than a formal RFP because they expected few qualified respondents.
Councilmember Franco and others pressed for an RFP, citing procurement fairness; Franco suggested that if Son Architect were the only responsive firm, a later formal award would still be appropriate. Public works staff and the city manager said earlier outreach had not produced qualified domestic firms with the necessary experience coordinating manufacturing in Korea and that an RFP could delay the project’s schedule. The council was told staff would return for subsequent approvals of the manufacturer and construction contracts.
Councilmember Vice Mayor Trout moved the approval with a second from Councilmember Franco; the motion carried 4–1. The record shows the motion passed by vote tally but does not list individual roll-call 'yes' or 'no' names in the transcript.
The agreement also includes a transfer of $210,000 from the undesignated general fund to the Friendship Park Improvement account to support initial work and travel for manufacturer selection.
The city will return to the council with contract terms for the selected pavilion manufacturer and for the local contractor to complete site improvements. Staff said the timeline anticipates project completion in December 2025 but noted that an RFP could push that schedule out.
