Conceptual Master Plan - Emeryville Center of Community Life

3. Culvert Relocation
Temescal Creek runs under the north edge of the Secondary School Site, in a
box culvert that is approximately 20’ square. The master plan proposes to
demolish a portion of this existing culvert, and relocate it in order to better
accommodate the proposed layout of the buildings and fields.
In initial meetings with the County Flood Control District, it appears that this is a
viable proposal, and the cost for this scope of work is included in the project
construction budget.
It must be noted that 20’ vertical clearance is required over the entire culvert to
allow for future maintenance.
4. Conceptual Design
A number of alternative design concepts were developed and presented to
staff, as well as the City/Schools Committee and the Partners for Community
Life. Based upon their review and comments, a single concept was selected
and refined to become the master plan for the proposed new center.
The concept of the scheme is to create a multi-level facility that wraps around
the open ballfields and other play areas, while also creating a series of
welcoming entry plazas along the surrounding streets, and a large, oval shaped,
central courtyard. Individual buildings are clustered together to form a campus
around the central court, and linked at upper levels by raised walkways.
The issue of security is essential to the community, and needs to be carefully
addressed in relation to the goal of creating an open and inviting center that
welcomes people to participate and mingle.
The architectural character is still to be determined, but a series of perspective
sketches, cardboard, and computer models were created to give a general
sense of the scale and feel of the proposed center. During the next phases of
design, the concept will be further refined to address specific programmatic
concerns, aesthetics, sustainability, universal access and other essential criteria.