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.
Body
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 deliverables to guide the plan’s implementation. The duration to develop, complete and adopt the master plan update is estimated to be 13 to 14 months.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Gensler has submitted a proposal to the City to perform the professional services for the project in an amount not to exceed $354,659.00. The budget for this project is $350,000.00. Due to the potential economic development opportunities, staff recommends that a detailed and in-depth project scope be pursued to ensure that a full assessment is made of the area’s development capabilities. Funding is available in the Transit-Oriented Development Fund. Staff recommends that an additional $24,659.00 be added to the project budget, which includes a project contingency of $20,000 to address any scope changes that may be required during the study period. No scope changes will be made without review and approval by the TOD Committee.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
This project will support the City Council’s strategic objectives and vision of building a community that families and businesses want to call home by assessing and guiding the development and redevelopment opportunities around the Downtown Carrollton and transit station area, on the adjacent land on the west side of IH-35E and within the Belt Line Road corridor.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into 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.