Costa Mesa advances $2.16M plan for Jack Hammett Sports Complex, despite criticisms
Costa Mesa officials Tuesday approved a $2.16-million plan to improve the Jack Hammett Sports Complex — a youth sports venue and training ground for the L.A. Chargers — despite complaints from residents about a plan to pay $250,000 for more parking.
Long on the city’s to-do list, the upgrade will include new energy-efficient parking lot lighting, bike racks and drinking fountains, ADA-compliant sidewalks and a five-unit storage building for sports equipment, in addition to 64 new parking spaces.
The plan came before members of the City Council on Nov. 16 as a consent item with no discussion. But when several members of the public, and some council members, posed questions about paying a premium for paved parking, city staff opted to present the project in a meeting Tuesday.
City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison headed the discussion, explaining the proposal would be funded by a combination of $1.4 million in city funds, collected from park fees, and $750,000 from a Chargers fund, paid for by the NFL team during their use of the fields, contracted through 2024.
A 10% contingency will be added onto the cost of the $2,166,920 project, which is to take no longer than 110 days to complete.
“This is an investment in what really is a very special and unique asset for the community,” she explained. “I don’t want us to walk away thinking we’re spending $2 million on parking.”
The $250,000 for parking, along with the lot lighting and storage unit would be paid for by the Chargers and not from city coffers. However, several residents spoke against the scope of work described in a public works agreement with Orange-based Horizons Construction Co. International, Inc.
Flo Martin said city officials could negotiate to use huge parking lots at nearby Orange Coast College and Costa Mesa High School. She questioned plans to tear out fencing, light poles, curbs, gutters and trees, only to replace them.
“That doesn’t make any sense to me,” she said. “We don’t need the destruction and refurbishment of what is now a wonderful facility.”
Cynthia McDonald, chair of Costa Mesa’s Bikeway and Walkability Committee called a plan to spend several thousand dollars per parking space a “boondoggle.” But others involved in youth sports said the improvements couldn’t come soon enough.
“After four-plus years of seeing this as a [capital improvement project], I encourage you to finally put this forward and get this project done,” said Brett Eckles, chair of the city’s Youth Sports Commission. “It is so needed for the safety of our kids, our families and our community.”
Councilman Jeff Harlan said while he felt questions about parking were valid, he supported the expansion.
“This is really an improvement project for the park itself,” Harlan said. “This is a citywide asset I think we need to invest in, and it will yield returns for all of us.”
The Chargers have an agreement to construct a headquarters and training facility in El Segundo. It is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024.
Mayor John Stephens recalled his first visit to Council Chambers in the ‘90s to speak in favor of building the complex on a farm previously occupied by goats.
“I’ve been a fan of this field since before there was a field,” he said, adding many families transporting kids to soccer games rely on the convenience of automobiles. “I’m enthusiastically supportive of this, for safety, for parking and for the utilization.”
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