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Council directs staff to plan a $2 million construction budget as designs advance for Highland Park Place of Remembrance
Summary
Staff told the Committee of the Whole they have an agreement in principle with design firm SWA and recommend a two-phase design approach. SWA’s Phase 1 professional services proposal is $355,000; council members favored a preliminary $2 million construction budget and asked staff to return with a formal agreement in January.
City staff updated the Committee of the Whole on the ongoing planning for a permanent Place of Remembrance and asked for policy feedback on budget and fundraising approach.
Assistant City Manager Emily Tubb and social-services specialist Jasmine Alejandro told council members they have reached agreement on contract terms with design consultant SWA and plan to bring a professional services agreement to the city council agenda for formal consideration on Jan. 12, 2026. Staff recommended splitting the design work into two phases: Phase 1 for project administration, discovery, community engagement and schematic/preliminary design, followed by a Phase 2 for full design development and construction documentation.
SWA’s Phase 1 proposal for those initial services is $355,000, plus up to 10% for reimbursable costs such as travel and printing. Staff said the Phase 2 design estimate is highly variable—SWA provided a rough band typically spanning roughly $700,000 to $1,250,000 for design development depending on complexity—and that building costs depend entirely on the final scope.
Staff noted the city currently has a $1,000,000 grant restricted for the Place of Remembrance; that amount was preliminarily split in the capital plan across 2026 and 2027. The council discussed funding approaches, with several members saying they prefer using the city’s reserves rather than pursuing an aggressive capital fundraising campaign that could solicit people still processing trauma. Mayor Rotering said he would like to see the memorial finished by July 4, 2027, if feasible. "I personally would like to see this done by 07/04/2027," the mayor said.
After extended council discussion about scope and stewardship, staff reported they will bring the SWA professional services agreement to the Jan. 12 city council meeting for formal consideration and that, based on council feedback, they would reflect a $2,000,000 construction budget in planning materials. Councilors emphasized close oversight of consultant invoices and public engagement during design.
What’s next: Staff will place the SWA agreement on the January council agenda, produce a kickoff schedule and, if the agreement is approved, begin Phase 1 work including community engagement and schematic design. Any change to the preliminary construction budget would come back to council for approval.
