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City staff unveils vision book to attract private investment to John Stiff Park
Summary
Parks staff and a consultant presented a phased 'vision book' for about 30 acres of John Stiff Park, proposing mixed‑use, ground‑lease development that would return lease revenue to a park fund to pay for maintenance and improvements; council asked for pro‑forma data and procurement steps before soliciting developers.
City parks staff and a consultant presented a concept Dec. 9 for a developer‑driven, phased expansion of Johnston Park that would use privately financed development to fund park reinvestment.
Michael Kasuba, the parks director, described a 30‑acre underutilized parcel in the northwest corner of Johnston Park. Consultant Yuri Chang walked council through a three‑phase vision book that emphasizes pedestrian‑oriented retail and dining along 45th Avenue, mid‑phases that could add plazas and housing or a boutique hotel, and later phases that expand outdoor recreation and civic spaces. The plan’s core principle is that long‑term ground leases or a revenue‑allocation model would channel lease receipts directly to a park fund so that private investment helps sustain park improvements and operations.
"Revenue generated from the development would go directly back to John Stiff," Chang said, adding that the concept is intended to reduce long‑term reliance on general‑fund bonds for park upkeep.
Council asked detailed questions about land ownership (staff emphasized the city would retain ownership of land in a ground‑lease scenario), parking and infrastructure responsibilities, typical lease structures, and how the city would preserve public control of park space. Several council members said they favored a pro‑forma or developer interest letter before committing capital, and staff said they had already engaged local developers to test market interest and would present a procurement plan (RFEI/RFP) and more complete pro‑forma to council if directed.
Parks board members unanimously recommended advancing the vision book with the caveat that revenues be directed back to park improvements. Staff also noted the park receives more than 1.1 million visits annually and suggested private investment could pay for restrooms, lighting and field upgrades while preserving open space.
If council directs staff to proceed, the next steps would include preparing a pro‑forma, clarifying design covenants and allowable uses, then launching an RFEI to solicit developer concepts and proffers.
