Conceptual Master Plan - Emeryville Center of Community Life

ECCL Presentation
2-11-09
10:00am-11:15am
Emeryville Senior Center
Comments/Minutes:
Melinda Chinn introduced Mark Schatz and Dara Youngdale from the Field/Paoli and
HKIT Architect Team.
Mark and Dara presented the power point presentation on the Center of Community Life.
Verbal comments and the answer given at the presentation included:
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What’s the time frame for this project?
o Projecting construction starting in 2011, building opens in 2013.
What is the total cost and how much money do we have now?
o $125 million is the cost, and we have $25 from the City and the land from
the school district.
How many people will the new schools hold?
o The same as the current schools, about 800.
I just moved from Oakland to Emeryville, I am excited by the project.
How are the seniors envisioned to belong at the ECCL?
o It is a multigenerational center, which is a good thing and based on the
belief of small town/close knit community lifestyles are healthy. Seniors
will interact with all ages using the fitness area, arts rooms, etc. They will
also have their own space/lounge in the building.
Where is the money coming from? We’re already cutting back services in the
city?
o Not all the details have been finalized, but there are two pots of money,
capital funds pay for the building and the operation funds will be for the
staff, which won’t go up at this time.
o One thing to consider is that businesses make up about 80% of the tax
base in Emeryville, which means residents who would benefit greatly
from this project only pay 20% of the cost. Let’s leverage this
opportunity.
53 rd Street will become an important street in the future general plan with great
pedestrian and bike access, lets make sure that’s highlighted in the next
presentation.
Berkeley has a great warm pool for physical therapy in their social and well being
center…this would be great for the those with disabilities and seniors in
Emeryville. Can we add this to the project? This would be a heavily used and
appreciated feature for the seniors. Also a current pool would be nice.
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It may be hard to fit two or more pools on this small site, currently this is
not planned. We possibly could look into a hot tub/jacuzzi because
they’re smaller.