SOLANA BEACH — A courtyard at La Colonia Park that will honor military veterans moved a major step forward after council members awarded the contract for final design and construction support during the Aug. 27 meeting.
Van Dyke Landscape Architects, a company that has worked on several Solana Beach projects including a master plan to upgrade all of La Colonia Community Center and Park, will work with the city to select a water feature designer and consultants for civil, electrical and structural engineering.
Final plans and cost estimates are included in the scope of the agreement.
The city planned to include a veterans memorial as part of overall improvements to the Valley Avenue facility, but the entire project was put on hold due to a lack of funding.
Money was slated to come from the city’s redevelopment agency, but Gov. Jerry Brown abolished those agencies a few years ago.
Council ultimately authorized the memorial to go forward as a separate project, and the name was changed so it could honor all U.S. veterans living and deceased, as well as those who are currently serving.
A citizens group led by former Mayor Tere Renteria began fundraising.
The city contributed $80,000 from bond proceeds from the former redevelopment agency in the public improvement grant fund designated for use in the park area.
County Supervisor Dave Roberts provided another $80,000 in grant funding.
The contract, awarded to Van Dyke as part of the consent calendar, is for approximately $55,000.
That will leave the city with about $103,700 that was budgeted for the project.
That money will be combined with the county grant and money raised by private donations to help cover construction costs.
The new courtyard will feature a stone veneer wall with military seals behind a reflecting pool. Water will “sheet” over the wall into the pool.
As proposed, there will also be a flagpole with a dedication plaque, a central medallion with an “In honor of those who served” statement, seating and a main entrance with decorative pilasters and an iron arch.
