More funds OK’d for health clinic project

The plans for an expanded Sonoma Community Health Clinic, looking to quadruple in size with a move to Boyes Hot Springs, just got bigger. The Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) approved a request to purchase a fifth parcel for the Sonoma Highway project, pushing its funding commitment to $2.9 million.
The .35-acre parcel on Greger Street is roughly valued at about $400,000, Cas Ellena, the county’s redevelopment manager, told the committee last week.
The RAC had previously agreed to spend $2.5 million to buy 17880 Sonoma Highway and the three parcels immediately to the north. The land – now two empty lots, an apartment building, an office building with a restaurant – would be cleared to make way for the new structure.
The additional lot, on Greger, sits behind that aggregated parcel. It would be used for employee parking, according to clinic CEO Patricia Talbot, and could save the project a significant amount by replacing the current plan for a “soft-story,” partially underground, garage.
“It costs a lot more to build the soft-story than buy the (new) land,” Talbot said. “A quick and dirty estimate – we could save $1 million.”
Presenting the project with the Greger Street lot, “was always what we wanted to do.” She had some positive discussions with the owners but could not get a commitment before presenting the master plan to the RAC last month. “After that meeting they came back and said, ‘Yes,’” she said.
“There seems to be little downside risk,” committee member Steve Cox said. “It makes a better investment.”
The RAC would spend up to the $2.9 million cap to buy the land, and then transfer it to the health clinic under terms yet to be negotiated. “It could be a forgivable loan, a small interest loan – there are a lot of ways to structure it,” Elliot said. The analysis includes the benefit of the new clinic to the community, and its impact on blight removal.
Cox said even the worst case scenario could benefit the area. “Even if the funding doesn’t come together for the health center,” he said, “the five parcels connected together presents an opportunity for a project that is more attractive than what could be done on multiple small parcels.”
Cox added as one property, “The value of the joined parcels would be greater than the sum of the parts.”
The proposal passed unanimously and now moves to the Board of Supervisors. If approved, the clinic’s construction would begin in Aug. 2010, and will be completed in Oct. 2011. “One way or another, we’re going to get this done,” Talbot said.
An update on the Highway 12 improvement project was also on the agenda. Sept. 16 is the last work day, according to Kevin Howze of the Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works. He projects all paving and concrete work will be concluded by then, “I doubt pedestrian lighting will be operational.” He said crews have increased their efforts to get the lights working, but would not speculate as to a completion date.
Howze pointed out an impending upgrade to streetlight timing. The temporary use of pre-set timers, aggravating drivers stuck endlessly at random red lights, will end. Traffic-sensitive sensors will be installed to offer a significant improvement in vehicle flow.
Also, a preliminary plan to post decorative banners on Springs traffic poles has been shelved, at least until next year. Members felt a successful program needed dynamic art and frequent updating, both beyond the RAC’s staff time and budget. “My fear is that it would become too static,” said Ryan Lely. “What would start as wonderful imagery could slowly turn into an eyesore.”