CC MEETING: January 23, 2024
DATE: January 8, 2024
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Loren Shapiro, AICP, Planning Manager
Marc Guy, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Negotiate And Execute A Professional Services Contract With M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. For Planning Services Related To Preparing The Downtown-Belt Line Road Corridor Master Plan Update In An Amount Not To Exceed $374,659.00.
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BACKGROUND:
Updating the Downtown Master Plan is one of City Council's strategic goals. The current Downtown Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2008. In the FY23 budget City Council allocated $350,000 for the Downtown plan update. The master plan update will encompass an area extending from Northside Drive south to Crosby Road and along the east and west sides of IH-35E. The study area will also include properties fronting Belt Line Road, from Hutton Branch to Josey Lane.
The City Council TOD Committee has met on numerous occasions to review the 2008 Master Plan accomplishments. The Committee identified the areas needing study and updating, and developed a project scope. In February 2023, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised for the plan update. Thirteen firms submitted RFQs. The TOD Committee conducted interviews with the firms on July 10, 2023, and invited all firms to submit a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). Eight firms submitted RFPs. Two firms later dropped out of the process.
On December 19, 2023, the TOD Committee interviewed six candidates and selected Gensler to assist the City in the Master Plan Update.
The scope of the master plan update will include a land use compatibility study, market study, evaluation of parcels for redevelopment potential, adaptive reuse of buildings, parking and vehicular access strategies along Belt Line Road and land acquisition and assembly strategies. Action plans will be developed identifying goals, objectives and delivera...
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