The West Hollywood City Council could not reach a decision Tuesday on how to address the $4.8 million cost increase for renovations at West Hollywood Park, and they postponed making a decision until the next meeting on March 7.

An aquatics and recreation center with a grand staircase will be the centerpiece of the upgrades in phase II of the West Hollywood Park. (photo courtesy of city of West Hollywood)

Since the original 2014 budget, the estimated cost of the project has risen from $90 million to $94.8 million due to increases in construction costs. City officials do not think postponing a decision on the cost increases will affect the project’s timeline.

The city will likely seek bids for the project in May, and construction is expected to begin this summer, said Francisco Contreras, innovation and strategic initiatives manager for West Hollywood. The council asked city staff to return with additional information on potential cost savings.

Some members of the council are divided as to how to handle the cost increase. The money already budgeted is from the city general fund and parking fund, as well as bonds and funding that developers are required to pay the city when projects are approved.

The project’s centerpiece will be a 74,500-square-foot, five-level aquatic and recreation center building with two rooftop swimming pools, a multi-use sports court for basketball, volleyball and dodgeball, as well as meetings rooms and offices. The building will also house a tiny tots program and the city’s public access television studio.

The building’s defining architectural feature is an exterior grand staircase that will rise from ground level to the second story. In addition to providing access to the building, the stairway will be used for fitness stair climbing and seating for special events. The project will also include an AIDS monument, a new off-leash dog park, playgrounds and public art.

Councilman John Duran said the additional money needed is not significant enough to scale back amenities at the park or change the timeline for the project. He added that the city may recoup some of the money if construction bids are lower than the budgeted cost.

“The economy heated up and in many ways over-heated,” Duran said. “We’re not adding anything new. The markets have shifted.”

Councilman John D’Amico had an opposing viewpoint. He said the city should examine whether cost-saving measures can reduce the project’s price tag.

“My hope is that with some additional thinking about ways to manage the use of the funds we can cut the increase at least in half,” D’Amico added. “I think we owe it to ourselves to do more work now to save millions of dollars in the end.”

West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath declined to comment on the cost increase until city staff provides options for potential savings.

“This is a very important project for the city and I want to make sure we have all the information we need,” Horvath said.

Some West Hollywood residents worry that the city is spending too much on the project already, and that cost will continue to rise.

“What never gets talked about is how much taxpayer money is being spent,” said Cynthia Blatt, a member of United Neighbors for Responsible Development, a grassroots organization based in West Hollywood. “We have people getting ‘Ellis-ed’ out of their homes and there is a lack of affordable housing. The city won’t do the many things it could to support citizens of the city. This money could be better spent.”