COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

 

DATE:

September 11, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 8, 2002

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Proposed Agreement between the County and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks to Allow Friends to Contract for Pre-Construction Services to Assess Restoration Feasibility of the Wunderlich Park Folger Estate Stable and for Other Construction Services and Acceptance of In-Kind Donation

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution approving Agreement between the County and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks to allow Friends to contract for pre-construction services to assess restoration feasibility of the Folger Estate Stable and for other construction services and acceptance of in-kind donation of approximately $128,780 for said work.

 

Background

Since 1996, the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks (Friends), with the support of the "If Not Now When Fund," has been assisting Park Rangers by providing educational programs through the development and management of volunteer efforts in the parks and providing financial support for park programs and volunteer activities. The Friends, formerly administered through the Peninsula Community Foundation, is in the final stages of incorporation as a public benefit 501c3 non-profit organization.

The Friends have identified the restoration of the Wunderlich Park Folger Estate Stable as one of their priority goals. To that end, they are proposing to have an agreement with the County for pre-construction services to assess restoration feasibility. Through donor support and with monies specifically earmarked for this proposed project, they are prepared financially to engage the services of W. L. Butler Construction, Inc. to provide pre-construction services; to engage a contractor to apply rolled roofing to the east end of the building to prevent further deterioration of the building; and to hire a contractor to make upgrades to a portion of the Wunderlich Carriage House for office and storage space to be used by County staff and the Friends.

The Folger Estate Stable was designed for James A. Folger II by Arthur Brown, Jr. around 1904. Brown was the architect of the San Francisco Opera House and City Hall, and also designed the ballroom at Filoli. The Friends note that the main stable building is an imposing and significant tribute to the lifestyle of the gentleman farmer and equestrian at the beginning of the 20th century, and embodies a rich history of the development of the mid-peninsula area, the "great estates" era, and the significant part horses had in the development of the area from transportation to logging, and eventually recreation. This stable, and the La Honda Red Barn (non-functional) recently restored by Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District, are the only stables of the "great estates" era remaining in San Mateo County.

 

Discussion

The Wunderlich Park area, including the stable and attendant buildings, was donated to the County in 1974. The County presently leases the stable. Various efforts since 1980 to effect repair and restoration of the stable have not been accomplished primarily due to lack of funds. Although the County and the current lessee have made some repairs to the stable, it is steadily deteriorating.

The Friends propose to contract for pre-construction services from W. L. Butler Construction, Inc. to assess restoration options; and for the application of rolled roofing to the east end of the building before the rainy season to stop further deterioration due to water leaking through the existing roof. W. L. Butler Construction, Inc. has prepared a pre-construction agreement for the Friends totaling $111,000. The Friends have received two estimates for the roofing; one for $7,500 and the other for $9,000. This information is found attached as Exhibit "A" to the Agreement.

The Parks and Recreation Division expects to begin a Master Planning Process for Huddart and Wunderlich Parks sometime during the period between Winter 2002 and Winter 2003. This planning process will play a crucial factor in determining the future use of the estate buildings, including the stable. Staff support the preliminary work proposed to be done at the stable as it will curb deterioration of the existing structure and provide good information for the future planning process.

The Friends have also proposed that they contract for some upgrades of space on the second floor of the Wunderlich Carriage House to create office and storage space. Work is estimated to cost $10,280. Estimate is part of Exhibit A attached to the Agreement.

 

Vision Alignment

The Agreement between the County and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks keeps the commitment of preserving and providing people access to our natural environment and goal number 15: residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities. The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing enhanced recreational facilities for the public.

 

Fiscal Impact

There is no fiscal impact to this Agreement. The Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks will directly pay all contractors and subcontractors and any miscellaneous costs associated with construction work, including all regulatory permitting and inspection costs, and environmental review.