NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF CEDAR HILL CITY CENTER TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLAN August 19, 2011
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF CEDAR HILL CITY CENTER TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLAN INTRODUCTION The North Central Texas Council of Governments is requesting consultant services to assist in creating a transit-oriented development plan for the City Center area of Cedar Hill, which will strongly encourage ongoing public engagement throughout the planning process. This project will build upon the City's plans and studies, specifically the City of Cedar Hill s City Center Vision Plan and other regional planning activities, which are aimed at transforming the City Center into a transit, bicycle and pedestrian-oriented area that is positioned to take maximum advantage of the future commuter rail line known as the Midlothian Corridor. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of, by, and for local governments, and was established to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG s purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. BACKGROUND Since 1974, NCTCOG has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metropolitan Area. NCTCOG s Transportation Department is responsible for regional transportation planning for all modes of transportation. The Department provides technical support and staff assistance to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) and its technical committees, which compose the MPO policy-making structure. In addition, the Department provides technical assistance to the local governments of North Central Texas in planning, programming, coordinating, and implementing transportation decisions. 1
PURPOSE AND NEED The North Central Texas Council of Governments is requesting consultant services to assist in creating a detailed plan for development in the City Center area of Cedar Hill, which will strongly encourage ongoing public engagement throughout the planning process. This project will build upon the City's plans and studies, specifically the City of Cedar Hill s City Center Vision Plan and other regional planning activities, which are aimed at transforming the City Center into a transit, bicycle and pedestrian oriented area that is positioned to take maximum advantage of the future commuter rail line known as the Midlothian Corridor. Instigating the transformation of the City Center will include executing several deliberate steps that are outlined in the Next Steps section of the City Center Vision Plan. The plan will employ sustainable development concepts such as those found in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development (LEED ND). It will also include mixed land uses, provide for safe and efficient circulation, and link to other neighborhoods and areas of interest within Cedar Hill ideally reducing the need to drive and produce energy savings. PROJECT SUPPORT The project will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of a Project Review Committee (PRC), which may include members of NCTCOG and the City of Cedar Hill. The responsibilities of the PRC will be to serve as the principal technical review committee for this project. NCTCOG shall serve as project manager to implement a mutually agreed upon scope of work, to champion the project, and monitor weekly progress. NCTCOG shall also serve as the contract manager and procurement administrator for the project. WORK PROGRAM The work program for the City of Cedar Hill City Center Plan is summarized by the tasks outlined below. Consultants are invited to propose modifications to these tasks and to exercise creativity in responding to the project s needs. Modifications to tasks and task sequencing which will improve the effectiveness of the study effort, while containing costs, are encouraged. 2
SCOPE OF WORK Project Location: The project location, also referred to as the City Center, contains approximately 800 acres, surrounding the new Cedar Hill Government Center. Although the City Center is irregular shaped, the rough boundaries are Pleasant Run to the north, just below Tidwell to the south, US 67 to the east, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway to the west. As depicted in the map, the western boundary extends west of the BNSF tracks along Straus Road and a proposed road connecting Belt Line Road and Tidwell. The City Center consists of three sub-districts referred to as Uptown, Midtown, and Old Town. TASK 1: DATA COLLECTION The Consultant will collect, update and review existing base data, and develop needed data where required for the project location and provide assessments including, but not limited to the following: Review previous studies including, but not limited to: a. City Center Vision Plan b. Old Town Vision Plan c. Old Town parking inventory d. Water and Waste Water Plan e. Most Recent Master Park s plan f. City Traffic Counts g. Zoning Ordinance h. Mobility 2035: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan for North Central Texas i. Regional Rail Corridor Study (Midlothian Line) TASK 2: MARKET STUDY The Consultant will conduct a market study that will identify the market conditions necessary for mixed-use/transit-oriented development in the City Center, and identify relevant competitive locations in the City and nearby submarkets of the Metroplex. The study should include at least two primary components to identify a market-supportable strategy for transitoriented development. First, a summary demographic and economic profile focus specifically on economic drivers that fuel demand for specific land uses. Second, a summary of real estate market conditions evaluating characteristics and trends among specific uses. 3
The study would include intensities and mix of land uses, as well as other elements required to identify market demand for transit-oriented developments that can be supported within City Center. The following are the major objectives of the market study: Identify the market potential for each of the three sub-districts. Analysis will include a short term (5 yrs.), mid-term (5-10yrs.) and long term (>10yrs.). Identify current and future development potential for the concepts outlined in the City Center Vision Plan. Analysis of commuter rail and real estate development issues to match opportunities with market trends. Analysis of real estate trends for residential, office, retail, mixed use and service markets and the change expected from the introduction of commuter rail. TASK 3: CITY CENTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN Based on the results of the market study, the consultant will prepare a City Center Development Plan to refine the vision and concepts in the Vision Plan and ensure planning and design ideas for the entire City Center, in particular the sub-districts, are grounded in market realities and fully supported by key stakeholders and the general public. The plan will include a detailed description of the preferred mix of uses and form of development; a detailed plan for a multi-modal transportation system that includes trails, streets, circulator route and public space improvements. The plan will employ sustainable development concepts such as those found in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development (LEED ND). Land Use Plan that describes the potential mix of uses and form of development and redevelopment Streets and Block Plan that accurately describes the development of blocks, street networks and pedestrian priority streets. o Confirm feasibility of recommended street networks of the Vision Plan through review of topography, right-of-way, and possible constraints. Mobility Plan that illustrates the potential route and stop location of the proposed circulator and narrow the type of circulator to be used. Vision statement of future development for each of the sub-districts: Uptown, Midtown, and Old Town. 4
Define the preferred mix of land uses by location, intensity for non-residential uses and density for residential uses. Public Space Network Plan showing an accurate depiction of a system consistent of public squares, plazas, greenways, trails and open spaces. TASK 4: THE CIRCULATOR PLAN The consultant will finalize plans for the rail station and complete a careful evaluation for the implementation of the City Center Circulator. This plan should focus on the selection of the circulator type and feasibility study addressing the capital and operating costs and details of the service system operations. Provide recommendation of the appropriate type of circulator. Provide detailed evaluation of the circulator route. Provide evaluations of the types of circulators using various criteria (capital costs/ level of service/o&m/community preferred/etc). Recommend stop locations and design. Describe how street/pedestrian will interact with all other mobility modes. Provide a list of possible funding. Provide a Feasibility Study addressing the capital and operating costs and details of the service system operations and, may commence once the initial direction is set. TASK 5: FOCUS AREA PLANS The consultant will prepare Focus Area Plans for each of the sub-districts to provide detailed recommendations for land use; the form and character of development; right-of-way location, streetscapes, public spaces; and infrastructure improvements. Provide a vision statement for each of the sub-districts: Uptown, Midtown, and Old Town. Define the preferred mix of land uses by location, intensity for non-residential uses and density for residential uses. Indicate the recommended form, scale and character of development and redevelopment; this includes building types and heights, building-street relationships, and frontage conditions. 5
Define the street typology for each street segment for new and proposed street sections within the City Center. Define the streetscape and building characteristics for each street typology. Define public open spaces and plazas within the City Center. Incorporate the proposed on- and off-street trail network and provide recommendations specific to the study location and possible key on-street connections to uses. Provide illustration of the form and development patterns within the City Center. Preliminary report on potential infrastructure costs and public improvements. TASK 6: RAIL STATION DESIGN The consultant will develop a plan for the rail station, which will incorporate design concepts for layout, configuration and visual appearance of platforms, canopies and associated platform amenities given appropriate vehicle technology. Indicate the overall size and location of the station platform and provide conceptual designs for station site improvements and station access improvements. Show how the proposed rail station will integrate with the overall multi-modal transportation system. Refine station location recommendations based on community vision and qualitative measures such as appraisal to neighborhoods, business, property, and topography. Develop conceptual designs for station site improvements. Show the size and location of the station platform and connectivity to the transportation system. Develop station access improvements. Provide renderings of what the possibility of the Rail Station may look like given constraints. TASK 7: PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN The consultant will conduct a study evaluating the potential impact a mixed-use/pedestrianoriented planned development will have on the existing and proposed street network and onand off-street parking resources. 6
Assess the parking demand based on market estimation of land uses and estimated transit ridership. Provide a strategy to supply adequate parking during peak times and off-peak times. Develop a parking policy that favors all modes of transportation. Recommend the number of on-street parking spaces considering the street typology as well as the percentage of on-street parking that would help meet demand. TASK 8: IMPLEMENTATION PHASING PROGRAM The consultant will prepare a detailed Implementation Phasing Program defining the sequence of activities required to realize recommendations presented in the City Center Plan. A description of policy and regulatory actions required to implement the plan such as updates to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance changes/amendments. List all the actions to facilitate the economic component of the plan. Based on the recommendations of the development plan, develop steps to amend the Capital Improvements Plan and other strategies to construct public improvements. Provide a strategy of potential funding sources for implementing the plan. Provide a phasing plan that outlines the future steps to implement the plan. TASK 9: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The consultant will conduct a comprehensive public outreach effort that will be guided by a broad cross-section of the community in a multitude of ways. Additionally, it is important to maintain feedback from the community in regards to Transit-Oriented Development Advisory s work on the Vision Plan. Prepare a list of key stakeholders who should be involved with the Development Plan. This includes City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, City Departments, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), NCTCOG, and area property owners, and others with an interest. Develop a Public Involvement and Outreach Plan outlining the stakeholders, schedule of the public meetings, formats and specific needs for each meeting, as well as anticipated roles and responsibilities regarding publicity, meeting materials, etc. 7
The consultant should propose an outline for public involvement that includes alternative methods to get public feedback in addition to public meetings at key milestones for the community to constructively participate in the planning process. TASK 10: FINAL DRAFT REPORT The consultant will prepare a final draft report including, but not limited to, the following sections: Executive Summary Introduction Market Study City Center Development Plan Circulator Plan Focus Area Plans Rail Station Design Parking Management Plan Implementation Phasing Program Public Meeting Comments Appendix The consultant will provide 10 bound color copies of the final report: Six (6) copies to the City and four (4) copies to NCTCOG. The final report should be in color and in an editable format in Microsoft Word and a Portable Document Format (PDF) version. The PDF sections/chapters of the report should be combined into one file, with the option of segmenting the file for easier public downloading. The bound copies should also contain CDs with the following items: An electronic (Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) or other pre-approved format by the Project Review Committee) version of all illustrations, including maps, pictures, sketches, and renderings used in the final report. Any Geographic Information System (GIS) data and maps created for the project in ArcGIS 9.3 format. All PowerPoint presentations. 8
TASK 11: PROJECT MANAGEMENT The consultant will work with the Project Review Committee (PRC) which is comprised of key NCTCOG and City of Cedar Hill staff and other designated members. The PRC will provide project oversight to the consultant. The consultant may also meet with a Technical Committee that may be composed of different City department staff and possibly outside interest groups. A kick-off meeting will be coordinated for the Consultant to meet with the PRC after the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued to review the project goals, scope of work, methodology, and schedule. The consultant will provide the following Project Management. Prepare schedule/timeline for completion of tasks. A draft will be produced for the kick-off meeting. Provide meeting minutes. Meet with the PRC bi-weekly to discuss project progress, review materials for upcoming meetings, review and update the project schedule, identify action items and responsibilities, and allow for discussions among the group. Meetings may be held via conference call. Meet with the Technical Committee as needed. Submit monthly billing and progress reports to NCTCOG. All documents should be submitted in Microsoft compatible format. No proprietary software will be allowed. 9
Project Location 10
SCHEDULE AND BUDGET This project is envisioned as a 12-month project with an anticipated Notice to Proceed (NTP) date of November 30, 2011. This project will have a not to exceed budget of $156,250. CONSULTANT SELECTION CRITERIA The Consultant Selection Committee will review all proposals and select a firm it considers qualified to undertake the project. The following criteria will be used to evaluate the proposals: 1. Project Understanding 30 percent 2. Scope of Services 25 percent 3. Project Manager/Staff Qualifications 20 percent 4. Knowledge of Dallas-Fort Worth Area 10 percent 5. Firm Qualifications/Consultant References 10 percent 6. Project Schedule 5 percent If the Consultant Selection Committee determines that interviews will be required before a final decision can be made, the interviews will take place at the NCTCOG offices in Arlington, Texas on Monday, October 3, 2011. Proposers should be willing and able to attend these interviews, if necessary. Consultants who are invited to an interview will be notified by the close of business on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 that an interview has been scheduled. Other requirements are that the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation must meet the 31.26 percent goal identified for this type of procurement and that an Affirmative Action Plan is included in the Proposal. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in finding the Proposal to be non-responsive. Following final negotiations of the work plan and costs satisfactory to NCTCOG, the consultant will be asked to execute a contract with NCTCOG. A Notice to Proceed will be issued upon execution of the contract. NCTCOG reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to contract for any or all portions of the project with the selected consultant, or to hire multiple firms. 11
The successful responder(s) to this Request for Proposals is expected to provide qualified personnel to accomplish each portion of the work in this study. NCTCOG will maintain the right to request the removal of any personnel found, in its opinion, during the course of work on this project, to be unqualified to perform the work. The Sample Contract, provided in this transmittal, contains federal requirements which must be included with all proposals submitted. Appendices C through K of the sample contract contain compliance requirements and certification forms which must accompany the proposal. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in finding the Proposal non-responsive. All questions regarding the services required shall be directed in writing by e-mail to TransRFPs@nctcog.org by the close of business on Friday, September 2, 2011. All questions and responses will be posted on NCTCOG s website at http://www.nctcog.org/trans/admin/rfp/ by the close of business on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. NCTCOG reserves the right to respond to inquiries as it deems necessary. 12