City Stables One Step Closer to Upgrades

In a move that puts one step closer to some much-needed improvements, the Rolling Hills Estates Council on Tuesday signed off on the solicitation of proposals from firms for the construction of a new barn, among other upgrades at the city stables.

Plans also include the installation of temporary pipe corrals, in addition to the construction of a new restroom building and storage structure for hay, shavings and manure collection. Utility upgrades will also be completed.

Council members to accept statements of qualifications and proposals from firms until July 2. If all goes as planned, the Council could receive a recommendation from a city evaluation committee by the end of July and a negotiated contract, including the scope of work by mid-August.

Equestrians could start to see some of the upgrades as soon as fall of this year, stables concessionaire Gil Houle said. Houle and his wife, Doreen, in September of last year.

"Any little improvement is very exciting," Houle said.

Community Services Director Andy Clark said the barn will be a highly anticipated new addition at the stables.

"We're finally going to build a barn," he said.

While excited about the planned improvements, Clark anticipated some potential "hurdles" with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County because of Peter Weber's location on a former landfill. The selected firm will need to coordinate with the Sanitation Districts, as well as the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, among other agencies, to ensure it's in compliance with the site's regulations.

Soliciting proposals for the next month or so will help the Council decide on the "best fit of the barn itself," City Manager Doug Prichard said.

"That’s the whole purpose of doing it this way," he said.

Councilwoman Judy Mitchell said she and the other Council members want to have a good idea of what the firms are proposing.

"(We) want to see what kind of structures they're going to propose to put on the site," she said.

Council members also agreed to take proposals for a project manager, in addition to those from firms, to help coordinate the planned phases of the upgrades.

"I think we want to get as many people as possible to respond," Councilman Steve Zuckerman said.

What upgrades would you like to see at Peter Weber? Tell us in the comments section below.