09.10.2008 City Council - Special Meeting

The City of Ventura held a special joint review meeting on September 10, 2008, involving the City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Committee (DRC) to discuss the concept for Community Memorial Hospital’s replacement facility in Midtown. The hospital described a state-mandated seismic replacement deadline and requested early, coordinated direction on the site plan, building massing, and exterior design so it could proceed with state review. The proposed project was estimated at approximately $300 million, with about $70 million in hospital reserves, a planned $200 million borrowing, and a $30 million philanthropic fundraising target. The City Manager raised the possibility of a public-private partnership for the parking structure, but no commitment or funding decision was made. No contract award, competitive solicitation, or municipal purchasing decision was identified.

Discussion focused on the site layout, public plaza and emergency access, parking, landscaping, building materials, and how the design could better reflect community input while meeting the hospital’s functional, seismic, schedule, and budget constraints. A motion was made and seconded to support the concept with direction to revisit the plaza and parking, the Main Street/Cababrio entrance, building massing, and exterior materials; the transcript does not record a vote or confirm that the motion passed. Staff and the design team were asked to continue refining the proposal collaboratively, with a possible special DRC meeting to provide further direction. The potential city role in a parking-garage partnership remains an issue for future consideration.