February 13, 2004

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Publication Date: Friday, February 13, 2004

Plans for teen center move forward

Pleasanton teens know a youth center will not be built in time for them to use it, but nevertheless more than a thousand of them signed a petition to make it happen.

Michael Johnson, vice chairman of the Youth Commission, presented the petition with 1,455 signatures to the City Council at its meeting Feb. 3, where the council voted unanimously for staff to solicit teen center proposals from consultants.

"We would like to have a teen center on the Bernal Property," Johnson said. "It's near downtown, and generally between the high schools and the middle schools."

He noted that the teens did not want an interim teen center, feeling it would detract funds and momentum from the permanent center. Meanwhile, he said, the Youth Commission will continue with activities, such as dances, at different venues.

One of the specific objectives of the Youth Master Plan Implementation Committee is to study the possibility of a youth center in Pleasanton. A subcommittee has conducted site visits to six youth centers in the Bay Area to assess programs and activities as well as physical layouts.

"It doesn't have to be an elaborate teen center," said Lauren Russman, another Youth Commissioner, who made four site visits. "It was interesting to look at other teen centers. We've seen what they've done and have found what makes it successful and cost efficient."

Cindy McGovern, a member of the subcommittee, said that in visiting the other teen centers, they saw many types of financing by community groups. "We're not saying, 'Give us $29 million,' we're just saying we want a youth center," she told the council. "We just want a commitment from this community that a youth center is important." McGovern also pointed out problems with a teen center not being owned by the city, such as rents being raised or a lease expiring.

The City Council voted to develop a request for proposal for a conceptual design and master plan services and also directed staff to look at existing structures within the community that could become a permanent location. Some locations discussed for an interim center have been the Fairgrounds, the former Galaxy Theater complex and Hacienda Business Park.

City staff estimates that the proposed conceptual design and master plan process will cost between $50,000 and $100,000. Staff will now develop a scope of work and contact qualified consultants to submit conceptual designs and master plan services.

The Youth Master Plan Implementation Committee meets from 6-8 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the city's Operations Service Center, 3333 Busch Road.

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