The City Council unanimously approved preliminary designs for a new snack shack and park enhancement project at Malibu Bluffs Park on March 9, greenlighting $425,000 for planning and permitting while acknowledging the city lacks the estimated $3.3 million needed to build it.
The vote came after Little League families and young athletes filled the council chambers to advocate for the project, which would replace a deteriorated temporary setup that has served the park's baseball fields for years.
"This is one of the most important things we'll do this year," said Council Member Doug Stewart. "It is critical to get it done. But we don't have the dollars right now."
The project, officially titled the Malibu Bluffs Park Snack Shack and Park Enhancement Project, calls for a 374-square-foot precast concrete building featuring an electric kitchen, four ADA-accessible restrooms, and upgraded storage facilities for both the city and youth sports leagues. The design also includes new pedestrian pathways, ADA ramps, and improved access to the baseball fields.
The previous snack shack, operated by Malibu Little League from 2006 to 2018, fell into disrepair and was demolished due to safety concerns. Currently, volunteers must erect temporary canopies, rent mobile sinks, and set up portable restrooms each time they want to serve food — a burdensome arrangement that supporters say is long overdue for replacement.
Community Services Director Kristin Riesgo told the council that the Parks and Recreation Commission worked with designers to reduce the project's estimated cost from nearly $5 million to approximately $3.7 million by eliminating electrical upgrades, minimizing kitchen equipment, and using the building itself as a retaining wall.
Construction is estimated to take 30 to 40 weeks once funding is secured, with the entire project timeline spanning 1.6 to 2 years.
The financial discussion dominated much of the council's deliberation. Stewart noted that Malibu's fiscal landscape has shifted dramatically since the Palisades Fire, with the city now carrying an estimated $18 million to $22 million in non-interest-bearing loans while awaiting FEMA reimbursements.
"We don't have the property tax we had a year ago. We don't have the sales tax we had a year ago," Stewart said. "Income is down, expenses are up."
Despite those constraints, council members expressed strong support for moving forward with the design phase while directing staff to pursue alternative funding sources including private donations, grants, and naming rights.
Council Member Marianne Riggins, who made the motion to approve the project, emphasized the facility's importance to the community's recovery.
"Having those shipping containers that are out there and portable restrooms are the last thing that we need when we're trying to encourage residents to rebuild here," Riggins said. "We need to have something that is attractive... Having something that shows value in our community is going to show our residents that we value them."
Mayor Bruce Silverstein acknowledged the project's cost was higher than initially anticipated but voiced his support.
"I was supportive of moving this forward with all alacrity. I can't believe it's taken us as long to get to where we are, and we still have a long road ahead," Silverstein said. "This is an important community amenity."
The approved design features a precast concrete structure with an estimated lifespan of 50 to 100 years. The building will be constructed off-site and delivered in 12-foot sections, with a color palette matching the adjacent skate park.
Riesgo told the council she is working with the city manager on a fundraising plan, including meetings with officials from South Lake Tahoe to discuss their approach to park facility funding.
Council Member Steve Uhring urged an aggressive fundraising effort, noting uncertainty about federal disaster relief.
"Do what you can to raise as much as you can, because I think when we get to the end of it, you're going to need it," Uhring said.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary design and direct staff to identify funding sources for construction. Final costs will be determined during the bidding phase and require future council approval.