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Carson council adopts Civic Center specific plan, authorizes RFQ for master developer
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Summary
After a public hearing, the City Council adopted an addendum to the Carson 2040 EIR and approved the Carson Civic Center Specific Plan, directing staff to issue an RFQ/RFP for a master developer to pursue a mixed-use transformation of the city—campus.
The Carson City Council on April 21 adopted an addendum to the Carson 2040 General Plan EIR and approved the Carson Civic Center Specific Plan, authorizing staff to issue a request for qualifications and proposals (RFQ/RFP) seeking a master developer to implement the plan.
Nathan Freeman, community and economic development director, told the council the civic campus is about 20 acres and largely surface parking today. "What we're trying to do with the Carson Civic Center is to change that pattern," Freeman said, describing two conceptual options: Option 1 would include a new City Hall (about 197,000 square feet, up to 13 stories), a 100,000-square-foot performing arts center, roughly 400 residential units (15% of which would be affordable), and a 240,000-square-foot hotel with roughly 400 keys. Option 2 would replace the hotel with retail, restaurant and entertainment uses, including museum and sports/entertainment space.
Councilmembers expressed broad support for the vision of turning the civic campus into a regional destination and asked for assurances that existing city programs and senior services would be retained; city staff said the plan is conceptual and would be refined with a selected developer and that current programs would remain onsite or be accommodated in the new facilities.
Councilmember comments ranged from a preference for the sports/entertainment option near the existing DoubleTree hotel to requests that the RFP consider mixed-income housing and enhanced public space ("Jewel Plaza") for farmers markets and community events. Freeman emphasized that the proposals are conceptual for the RFQ; developers will submit formal concepts for council review.
Councilmember Arlene Rojas moved to adopt Resolution No. 26037 approving the EIR addendum and the specific plan and authorizing the RFQ/RFP; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Outcome: Council adopted the resolution and authorized staff to issue the RFQ/RFP, contingent on receipt of final HCD clearance for surplus parcels identified in the plan. Staff said they will return with RFQ documents and a timeline for solicitation and evaluation.
What happens next: Staff will finalize surplus-parcel clearances with the state, issue an RFQ/RFP to the development market, and bring proposals back for council consideration and negotiation of any development agreement.
