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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Request for Proposals: Springfield Downtown District Urban Design Plan and Implementation Strategy July 7, 2008 Work Session Development Services Linda Pauly ---Ii, Planning Supervisor /Qf{\ 7 I Community Planning &. ~ Revitalization S P R I N G FIE L D Staff Phone No: 726-4608 C IT Y CO U N C I L Estimated Time: 15 Minutes ITEM TITLE: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN DISTRICT URBAN DESIGN PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Meeting Date: Meeting Type: Department: Staff Contact: AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ACTION REQUESTED: The Council is requested to: 1. Review and discuss the proposed consultant scope of work. 2. Authorize staff to advertise the RFP beginning on July 23,2008. 3. Provide staffwith direction regarding Council's desired level of involvement in proposal review and consultant selection. ISSUE STATEMENT: DSD and Public Works staff have identified key Downtown planning and . revitalization work tasks which will require contractual services. Staff has prepared an RFP to seek proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a Downtown Urban Design Plan and Implementation Strategy to guide and coordinate revitalization and redevelopment initiatives within Springfield's downtown core. The project will include a focused citizen involvement program and public review process. The selected consultant will work with staff, Downtown advisory committees, Historical Commission, Planning Commission and the Council to generate work products which will provide the City with: I. an adoption-ready vision for Downtown; 2. an adoption-ready plan to give physical form to that vision; 3. an adoption-ready implementation strategy which identifies short and long term initiatives and catalyst projects. Key elements: . an illustrative Downtown District Urban Design Plan · Downtown Design Standards · a comprehensive parking management program and identification of the appropriate locations for downtown parking facilities · a proposal for infrastructure and utilities improvements and modifications · proposed revisions to the Downtown Refinement Plan, Development Code, and other planning documents as needed to implement the plan ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Request for Proposals - Project Description and Scope Attachment 2: Outline of Next Steps Attachment 3: Informational Attachment - Urban Design Plan DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMP ACT: Once proposals are received, the Scope of Work will be adjusted to match available . funds. It is also expected that this project may need to be phased. Overall Project Description and Scope of Required Services The basic tasks required to complete the Downtown District Urban Design Plan and Implementation Strategy project are outlined in the table below. The tasks identified below are not in a particular order and have not been prioritized. Consultants may submit proposals to complete all or a selection of one or more of these tasks. Proposers shall assign costs to specific work tasks to assist the City with prioritization and budgeting. The City will- require ongoing coordination of all tasks to produce a final package of consistent, coordinated work products. Work Tasks, Sub Tasks and Required Plan Elements Task I: Downtown District Urban Design Plan:' IA Prepare a comprehensive parking management strategy for the Downtown District and identify the appropriate locations for downtown parking facilities. . Address the primary stakeholder groups: downtown businesses, customers, employees and residents. . Collect data to quantify and establish the existing actual parking demand and.the expected future demand as redevelopment of the Downtown District is implemented as set forth in I B below. . Provide analysis of the existing downtown parking exemption.. . Prepare a comprehensive parking management program which will support existing and future land uses in the Downtown District (as set forth in Task IB) and manage impacts to adjacent residential neighborhoods. . Identify a revenue source to deliver the program over time. . Include provisions to address the parking needs of existing historic downtown buildings. . Include provisions which acknowledge downtown housing as a transportation strategy, and which will support the existing and expected transportation mode split. . Prepare parking design requirements which will support future conversion of surface parking lots to structured parking and/or building development sites. IB Prepare an adoption-ready illustrative Downtown District plan which includes and addresses: . Vehicular and pedestrian circulation that will continue to allow downtown streets to serve. vehicle traffic movement ~hile also improving the safety, accessibility and the aesthetic environment for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders. . Streetscape improvements. . Pedestrian connectivity between downtown and adjacent neighborhoods: Bridgeheadllsland Park Willamette River Waterfront, Downtown Transit Station and transit stops, Washburn Historic District, Glenwood, ,Booth Kelly, and Willarilette Heights. . . Parks and open space to support downtown retail, housing and employment (e.g. connectivity between the downtown core and Island Park). . Enhanced opportunities for use of bicycles, walking and transit, paratransit, taxi stand, flex car, etc. . Access management to abutting properties. . Consideration of the influence of heavy truck traffic on Downtown's pedestrian ATTACHMENT 1 - 1 and transit-oriented retail and mixed use development potential. . Stormwater management best practices. IC Prepare illustrated adoption-ready design standards (architectural and streetscape- including lighting, signage, street furniture, street trees, planters; etc.) which may be utilized by the City to develop a form-based code for the Downtown District. ID Identify necessary infrastructure and utilities improvements and modifications. IE Develop and design an informational and directional multi-modal oriented signage program for Downtown which lends a strong identity to the City center. . Prepare an adoption-ready Downtown District sign code. . Prepare a fixed, pedestrian-oriented sign age/street graphics system that merges clear and concise functional wayfinding information with creativity and visual innovation to enhance pedestrian circulation throughout Downtown. . Create design concept(s) for a signature gateway entrance to Springfield at the Bridgehead. IG Prepare a final package of graphic promotional materials which the City will utilize to market the Downtown to private investors. Task 2: . Prepare an implementation strategy to maximize downtown retail, housing, employment and leisure/arts/entertainment opportunities . 2A Address feasibility of and identify appropriate location(s) for downtown employment (e.g. Class A office space, live/work units, etc.). 2B Identify dowhtown residential opportunities (housing type and mix, densities, locations and amenities necessary to support downtown living). 2C Identify and locate desired downtown business clusters, uses and public facilities. 2D Identify catalyst projects and optimal project locations to ensure success. Develop catalyst project phasing and financial strategies. City staff will collaborate with the consultant to provide existing data and regulatory plans. City staff will design and conduct the City's citizen involvement program for this project. Activities will include a series of public workshops and/or open house visioning events conducted beginning in September 2008. A Stakeholder Committee and Technical Advisory Team will be formed as part of this project. The Committee will advise City staff and the consultant through the course of the project. The selected consultant shall meet periodically with the Committee to present preliminary findings and drafts of their final product. The selected consultant shall be required to make formal presentations of draft and final products to the Springfield Planning Commission, City Council and Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA - Springfield's Urban Renewal Agency). ATTACHMENT 1 - 2 Deliverables The successful firm will provide the City of Springfield with 20 bound copies of the final Urban Design Plan and implementation Strategy plan color printed at II x 17-inch size and 20 copies on DVD. In addition, the consultant shall provide a web-ready product for posting on the City's website. The products shall include the Scope of Required Services described in II. above and shall include the following elements: . I. Executive Summary 2. Existing Conditions 3. Analysis Drawings 4. Summary of Issues 5. Urban Design Plan (color rendered plan) 6. Streets. Framework Plan and Street Sections 7. Open Space Framework Plan (parks, plazas, open space "green streets" and connections between them). 8. Design Guidelines 9. Implementation and Phasing Plan(s) 10. Other components identified during RFP evaluation Th~ text shall address all aspects of the tasks performed, including all necessary tables, charts, maps, graphs, and other statistical analysis supporting the documentation. Draft copies of the final products completed and ready for review by the Springfield Planning Commission, City Council and SEDA, on or before January 2009. Electronic files of all products including but not limited to word documents, databases, spreadsheets, spatial datasets, imagery and presentation material shall be submitted to the City. These files shall be compatible with City software such as Microsoft Office, ArcGIS and AutoCAD, and submitted in compliance with relevant electronic submittal standards as determined by the City. For specificity regarding electronic data submittal and/or data electronic data requests please contact Brandt. Melick, the City's GIS Program Supervisor at (541) 726-4645). ATTACHMENT 1 - 3 Downtown Re~italization - Next Steps Proposed tas~s, dates and milestones SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN DISTRICT URBAN DESIGN PLAN & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Step I: PROJECT DEFINITION · Update Downtown Revitalization work program and assign staff resources (DSD) · Identify and coordinate downtown-related work tasks (DSD, PW) · Prepare a draft RFP for contractual services - June 9,2008 (DSD, PW, CMO) · legal review, refine purchasing process -June 9, 2008 · Review with Executive Team - July I, 2008 ' >> Conduct Council work session to review "next steps" and draft RFP - july 7, 2008 · Revise RFP and process as directed by Council · Review changes with CMO & Council leadership · Go live with RFP ~ july23, 2008 (or sooner if no changes) . Interview consultant(s) · Refine Scope of Work . Determine budget and phasing · Conduct Council Regular Session to review proposals and select consultant - September 15, 2008 · Prepare and award contracts - September 29, 2008 . Step 2: CONDUCT FOCUSED VISIONING · Design a. public involvement plan and conduct a Downtown Visioning Process which builds on the UlUM group work, current data from the Buildab.le lands Inventories and Economic Opportunity Analysis, and previous Downtown visioning efforts (DSD staff/consultant) · Coordinate with SEDAlDowntown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee - July 16, 2008 & ongoing · Coordinate with Historical Commission - September 9, 2008 · . Conduct informal public .outreach at community events August/September 2008 · Make presentations to community groups - August/September 2008 .. Conduct recruitment for stakeholder groups - August/September 2008 · Conduct a Work Session with Committee for Citizen Involvement to approve. Citizen Involvement Plan - September 2, 2008 · Conduct a work session: Committee for Citizen Involvement to . appoint a Downtown stakeholder committee (CIC) and a Downtown . Design Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) - September 16, 2008 Springfield Downtown District Urban Design Plan & Implementation Strategy What is an urban design plan? "An urban design plan gives physical form to policies described in a comprehensive plan. It focuses on the design of the public realm, which is created by both public spaces and the buildings that define them. Urban design is concerned with bringing together the different disciplines responsible for the components of cities into a unified vision. Compared to- comprehensive plans, urban design plans generally have a short time horizon and are typically area or project specific. Key elements of an urban design plan indude the plan itselt the preparation of design guidelines for buildings, the design of the public realm - the open space, streets, sidewalks, plazas between and around buildings, and parking facilities - and the "public interest" issues of buildings. These in dude massing. placement, and sun, shadow and wind issues. Urban design plans are prepared for various areas, induding downtowns, waterfronts, campuses, corridors, neighborhoods, mixed-use developments and special districts. Issues to be considered indude existing development, proposed development, utility infrastructure, streets framework, open space framework, environmental framework, and sustainable development principles. Urban design plans require interdisciplinary collaboration among urban designe~, architects, landscape architects, planners, civil and environmental engineers, and market analysts. The urban design plan integrates the work of these diverse disciplines," (Planning & Urban Design Standards, American Planning Association , Wiley 2006, p. 10-13). An urban design plan illustrates how an underperforming district can be linked to the strengths of its surroundings. For example - how the Downtown core can be.linked to Island Park, the Bridgehead and Glenwood Riverfront, Booth Kelly/Millrace, and the Washburn H!storic district and Willamette Heights residential neighborhoods. Urban design plans often work to transform an area once overlooked or blighted. The documents, illustrations and publicity around the process all become part of the overall marketing effort to attract development and residents. Why do we need an urban design plan and implementation strategy for Downtown? Don't we already have a land use plan for Downtown? Forging Visions. An urban design plan will provide a clear community vision which will coordinate public investments in the Downtown and help attract private investment. The urban design planning process will bring individual efforts (parking study, sign code, Downtown design standards, streetscape improvements, urban renewal projects, private redevelopment projects, etc.) together to create a whole that will be greater than the sum of its parts. The City's existing Downtown Refinement Plan controls the types of land uses that are permitted. The Springfield Development Code provides general development standards for the City's Mixed Use zoning districts, which are applicable to most of Downtown west of 10th Street. Other regulations which govern important downtown design elements such as signage and streetscape design are found in the Springfield Municipal Code and the Public Works Engineering Design Standards Manual. Development adjacent to Downtown historic resources may be subject to additional review (e.g. if projects involve federal dollars) to determine whether those resources will be adversely affected. Utilities are installed in accordance with partner agency policies. Oregon Department of Transportation and Lane Transit District are important partners in Downtown redevelopment. Downtown parks and recreational facilities are planned by Willamalane. These diverse regulations, activities and entities do not operate under a coordinated and agreed-upon "roadmap" for redevelopment of the city center into a vibra'nt destination downtown. Creating such a vision requires a public process to cultivate wide-spread enthusiasm for the vi~ion and build a "bandwagon" of support. The urban design process brings all parties to the table to resolve problems and harmonize discordant interests in. a creative, non-co,nfrontational way. Preparing Winning Strategies. Urban design projects are often complicated plans with multiple projects and participants. Implementation can be difficult, even when all forces are in agreement. Thus, an urban design process begins with implementation in mind and includes a strategic implementation plan which identifies both short and long-range initiatives and catalyst projects to get and keep the ball rolling. To build and maintain momentum, this plan assigns specific tasks and timelines to groups conducting implementation. The implementation strategy is a practical plan that is tied to the realities of receiving funding, obtaining approval and getting projects built.