SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Award a contract for professional services pursuant to Request for Proposals (RFP) 04-16 to HR and A Advisors, Inc. for the Imagine Clearwater: Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Project as described in the Scope of Services for a lump sum fee of $378,000, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The creation of a master plan for the bluff/waterfront area was identified as a priority project by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel during their study of Downtown Clearwater in June, 2014. RFP 4-16 was prepared to solicit consulting services to develop such plan with the primary objectives of better connecting the bluff and the waterfront with the remainder of downtown, creating a strategy for economic development, activating the waterfront, defining a parking strategy and creating opportunities for waterfront events to benefit downtown businesses. The RFP also called for the inclusion of a robust public engagement process and an implementation strategy to transform the area into a signature waterfront area connected to the commercial area.
On November 18, 2016, notice of RFP 04-16 was posted on the City’s website, as well as the websites of the American Planning Association and the Congress for New Urbanism. A total of eight firms submitted proposals by the January 8, 2016 deadline including: Design Collective; Dover, Kohl, & Partners; GAI Consultants, Inc.; HR & A Advisors, Inc.; Stantec’s Urban Places Group; TBG Partners; Urban Design Associates and Zyscovich Architects.
On January 22, 2016, the City’s Evaluation Committee comprised of representatives of the Planning and Development, Economic Development and Housing, Engineering, Parks and Recreation and Marine and Aviation Departments short-listed six of those firms: Design Collective; GAI Consultants; HR & A Advisors, Inc.; Stantec’s Urban places Group; Urban Design Associates; and Zyscovich Architects. Interviews were conducted on February 25 and 26, 2016 and on March 3, 2016 HR & A Advisor’s, Inc. was selected as the top-ranked firm.
The proposed scope of services calls for the following major tasks in the development of the waterfront master plan:
• review and analysis of existing conditions (demographic, economic, real estate market, and physical conditions including circulation and parking, parks and open space, public realm and opportunities assessment of major parcels and sites within the study area);
• development of framework plan that addresses circulation, open space and catalyst projects;
• development of infrastructure cost estimates for public investments;
• development of action plan/implementation strategy (considers factors such as market potential, property ownership, policy, etc.); and
• preparation of draft and final master plan
Each task builds upon the previous one and includes development of ideas and refinements after public input is received. Two opportunities for City Council review and input will also occur once the draft framework plan is prepared and then again after the draft master plan is prepared. Public engagement with the citizens of Clearwater will occur at seven meetings at three points during the master planning process. A stakeholder coalition made up of a diverse group of community constituents will also be formed to participate in the process. Additionally, social media and a project website will be used to provide information to the community, as well as provide a mechanism for input. The Planning and Development Department will also conduct outreach activities to community, business and neighborhood groups.
The Planning and Development Department recommends that City Council award the contract to HR & A Advisors, Inc.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this contract is available in the CRA Project Fund 388-94885, ULI Implementation, to be authorized by the CRA at their April 18, 2016 meeting.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A