CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARK REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Transit-Oriented Development and Land Use Subarea Plan for Central Lake Forest Park PROJECT DESCRIPTION The City of Lake Forest Park is seeking qualified professional services to assist the City in the development of a Transit-Oriented Development and Land Use Subarea Study to establish a general land use and zoning plan within preliminary subarea boundaries. Key aspects of the study include conducting a robust community visioning process that is informed by development economics analysis and the integration of a transit center into the subarea. BACKGROUND In 2004, the City completed its first visioning process related to the redevelopment of the Town Center. That study was entitled Sustaining a Livable Lake Forest Park: The Future of Our Town Center. One of the Task Force s recommendations was to encourage a paradigm shift at Town Center, from shopping center to a mixed use center with housing, as well as retail, commercial and public spaces. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 1
In early 2006, the City adopted a set of design guidelines and regulations intended carry out that vision. The City was in discussion with the owners of the shopping center about redeveloping it into a mixed-use center when the economic downturn hit and the market bottomed out. With the completion of the enhancements to Lyon Creek culverts and the passage of Sound Transit 3 in 2016, there is renewed interest in updating this vision. There is a need to think on a larger scale, integrating transit-oriented development into a vision for a town center 50 years from now that offers more than can be accommodated within the confines of the shopping center. Significant public investment has been and will be made that affects the study area. The lowlying parts of commercial center were prone to periodic flooding until a $6.9 million project replaced undersized culverts, restored one-half mile of stream bed, re-built a park at one end and a new park at the other end, showing the potential of the waterways as features of the Central Subarea. The City has emphasized the recovery of salmon runs in the creeks and is currently conducting a study and preliminary design project that will add another mile and onehalf of barrier-free passage, enriching the natural amenity of the creeks flowing through the Subarea. Between 2017 and 2024, Sound Transit will plan and build a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that will pass through the Central Subarea as part of a $54 billion (ST-3) extension of the mass transit system. This is a paradigm shift in human-powered and mass transit mobility along this corridor. Part of the ST3 planned investment includes 25 blocks of sidewalks along both sides of SR 522 to allow access to bus stops, as well as a 300 vehicle parking garage that makes the Central Subarea into a transit center and potentially a transit-oriented development. Both streets and the state routes appear to radiate out of the Central Subarea due to topography and waterways, producing both a confluence of traffic in the vicinity of the Central Subarea and enabling potential as an area transit hub. Lake Forest Park is close to completing a surface street mobility study that will identify projects that and is ready to kick off a highway corridor study that will provide a generational look at both SR 104 and SR 522 to see if the consultants, community and Council can envision future mobility that meets todays plans and tomorrow s challenges. The ST3 calendar is the enemy of a lengthy planning process. Link Light Rail comes to neighboring Shoreline in 2023 and the BRT is planned to be operational in 2024. Early estimates are 30% engineering will be done by mid-to-late 2019. Our plan needs to be on that bus! The calendar is also the enemy of complexity in plans and amenities. The successful consultant team will be one that demonstrates the ability to hit the ground running and who can bring a variety of interests and options together in a relatively short period of time. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 2
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK The following scope of work is an initial assessment of the tasks, responsibilities, and budget, necessary to complete the LFP Central Subarea Study. The consultants will work with the Project Team to refine and finalize the Scope of Work. Task 1 Visioning (Part 1) An initial visioning process that will engage the entire community, including residents, property owners, and business owners in a discussion about the subarea being the central mobility and community hub of the city and provides meaningful input about living options, community facility needs, connectivity demands, experience retail and gathering places, and natural places in central Lake Forest Park 50 years from now. 1) Compile a palette of ideas and images to facilitate community vision and engagement events and opportunities that incorporate ideas that scale to a 50-year planning horizon. 2) Define the preliminary boundaries of the planning area and prepare base maps and prototypes of written and graphic materials that can engage participants of all ages. 3) Develop approach for initial outreach event and meet with project steering group for feedback on boundaries, materials and approach. 4) Host visioning events and document outcomes in video, graphics and text in a manner that allows the community can continue to engage online. 5) Create dedicated project web resources that utilizes multi-media and engages the community after and between events. 6) Prepare a report on the outcomes of the visioning that identifies key themes that should be highlighted in upcoming tasks. Report should identify ways to future-proof the plan by identifying trends such as growing use autonomous vehicles and planning for repurposing facilities as demand changes. Task 2 Market Feasibility/Development Economics Analysis The second part of the visioning and public engagement process (Task 4) is grounded in realistic assumptions of the development economics of the area and an understanding of how different regulatory scenarios would affect development. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 3
1) Identify range of viable housing and commercial uses that could inform potential zoning changes in an Central Subarea district 2) Existing Conditions: consideration density and construction types allowed by surrounding jurisdictions 3) Review analysis from previous studies: Sustainable LFP, Town Center Design Guidelines Framework 4) Become familiar with Puget Sound Regional Council and Seattle/King County EDC plans for the area and region and ensure that project analysis and strategies are informed but not unnecessarily limited by them. 5) Meet with property owners within the preliminary boundary area to understand their goals and constraints. 6) Meet with project steering group for feedback on initial findings. 7) Prepare report on range of viable uses and densities that could inform potential zoning changes in and around the Central Subarea district. 8) Update project website to reflect findings. Task 3 Infrastructure Investment Review and Coordination Successful linkage of ST3 Transit Center, Safe Streets/Safe Highways studies, the recommendations of Task 2 and community/cultural assets into land use, transportation and infrastructure planning for the subarea. 1) Exploration of options for integrating a proposed park and ride location 2) Recommend Transit-Oriented Development strategies that integrate recommended actions from Safe Streets, Safe Highways studies 3) Circulation strategy addressing vehicles, transit, pedestrian and bicycle needs. 4) Exploration of park expansion and community center options 5) Meetings with property owners within the subarea boundary and ST3 staff 6) Meet with project steering group for feedback on initial findings. 7) Prepare report on infrastructure needs and linkage to other city studies and ST3 planning. 8) Update project website to reflect findings. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 4
Task 4 Develop a visioning public outreach plan (Part 2) and facilitate community meetings and appropriate community engagement activities An online and physical outreach process that engages a wide variety of stakeholders, including those that have not been previously involved, and informs decisions throughout the rest of the study. Part 2 of visioning and outreach process is informed by the Task 2 s economic analysis and Task 3 s infrastructure review. 1) Work with staff to develop a public outreach plan that is inclusive of residents, property owners, and business owners. 2) Review plan for events, questions to be asks, and respond to feedback from steering group. 3) Facilitate community meetings, surveys, speakers bureau, or other recommended activities and document outcomes in a manner that allows the community can continue to engage from where they are and not just where the City is. 4) Prepare report on findings and update project website to reflect findings. 5) Present information and findings and respond to community groups, Planning Commission, and the City Council. 6) Plan and carry out small-scale, short term activities following the initial Part 2 outreach activities that provide validation of the public input, maintain the momentum of project, and build social capital with citizens. Task 5 - Central Subarea Study Recommendation of appropriate future land use and zoning for the LFP Central Subarea that is informed by community input, economic analysis, infrastructure review, and coordination with major stakeholders. 1) Document the existing conditions, history of land use in subarea, relevant Comprehensive Plan goals and policies, results of economic analysis, transit center integration analysis, urban design study, City Council objectives, stakeholder interests, etc. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 5
2) Prepare recommendations for refining boundaries of the planning area plan seek and respond to feedback from steering group. 3) Study up to three land use alternatives and provide analysis of each alternative. 4) Prepare draft subarea study integrating understanding achieved through Tasks 1 through 5 and respond to feedback from steering group. Study should establish urban design vision for preferred alternative and planning recommendations that will facilitate the development of land use regulations and design guidelines. 5) Conduct workshops on draft plan and propose appropriate revisions. Task 6 Environmental Review of LFP Central Subarea Land Use Alternatives and Preparation of Development Regulations A plan-level environmental impact process that analyzes potential impacts of land use and transportation infrastructure alternatives, prescribes appropriate mitigation, and facilitates Council adoption of development regulations that implement the refined, preferred alternative and mitigation. 1) Confirmation of Environmental Impact Statement as appropriate process. 2) Refine preferred alternative for subarea plan. 3) Prepare for and conduct EIS Scoping. 4) Prepare Draft EIS. 5) Review DEIS comments and draft responses. 6) Issuance of Final EIS. 7) Analyze form and type of zoning regulations/design guidelines that will be appropriate. 8) Draft development regulations/design guidelines. 9) Lead Planning Commission and Council review of development regulations/design guidelines. EVALUATION CRITERIA Proposals will be evaluated by a Selection Committee, which will make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. The following will be considered in evaluating each proposal: Responsiveness to the RFP Experience with similar projects RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 6
Demonstrated ability to bring together stakeholder agencies and property owners in constructive dialogue Proven experience in effective public involvement and incorporating citizen input/suggestions Demonstrated knowledge/experience with actual implementation of possible strategies Creativity and coherence of approach References BUDGET AND SCHEDULE The budget for the project is $200-250K TIMELINE: RFP released to consultants: June 2, 2017 Pre-proposal conference: June 15, 2017 (2:00 PM) Proposals due: June 29, 2017 (3:00 PM) Decision on teams to be interviewed: July 10, 2017 Interviews held: July 12-18, 2017 Recommendations to Mayor: July 19, 2017 Negotiate contract w/ selected consultant: July 25-31, 2017 First opportunity for Council approval of contract: August 10, 2017 Earliest Project Start: August 17, 2017 All proposers shall submit one original unbound copy and 5 bound copies of the proposal by 3:00 p.m. on June 29, 2017 to City of Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. It is the proposers responsibility to deliver proposals to the specified location prior to the date and time for the close of acceptance. The City is not responsible for lost or misdirected submittals, or those delivered after the deadline. All proposals must be in a sealed envelope and clearly marked LFP Central Subarea Plan Proposal No faxed or e-mailed submittals will be accepted. Proposals shall be limited to twenty (20) pages. Resumes and first/last pages will not count toward the twenty (20) pages. RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 7
Questions may be referred to Steve Bennett, Planning & Building Director (TL: 206-957- 2812, Email: steve@cityoflfp.com) or Pete Rose, City Administrator (TL: 206-957-2802, Email: prose@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us) Note: Selection is not based on the lowest cost proposal (but we will be searching for high value in the eyes of the City). Each proposal shall state that it is valid for a period of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the date of submission. RIGHT TO REJECT PROPOSALS In evaluating the proposals and selecting a consultant, the City reserves the right to: Amend the Request for Proposal. Not award a contract for requested services. Waive any irregularities or informalities in any proposal. Accept the proposal deemed to be the most beneficial to the public and the City of Lake Forest Park. NOTIFICATION OF WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS Proposals may be modified or withdrawn prior to the time and date specified for Proposal submission by formal written notice from an authorized representative of the consultant. Proposals submitted will become the property of the City after the Proposal submission deadline and may be released as public documents after that time. COST OF PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL The City will not pay any costs incurred in the preparation, printing, interview, or negotiation process. All costs associated with preparing and presenting proposals shall be borne by the proposing consultants. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IS NOT A COMMITMENT This Request for Proposals is not a contract or a commitment of any kind by the City and does not commit the City to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the submission of a proposal. All proposals will become the property of the City, and are subject to the disclosure provisions of the Public Records Act (RCW 42.17.250). PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT The consultant awarded the proposal to prepare a scope of services and will be required to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the City to perform the work in accordance with the terms specified in this Request for Proposals and all other terms as specified in said Professional Services Agreement. Tentative Central Subarea Plan Timeline: RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 8
RFP Advertise/Consultant Interview/Scope Development Council Scope/Contract Review Project Kickoff Initial Visioning event 2nd Visioning/Community Engagement event Draft Plan to Planning Commission (PC) June-July Early August Late August September October December Council begins review of PC-recommended Plan March, 2018 Public Workshop on draft plan/scoping for EIS July, 2018 Planning Commission begins review of development regulations July, 2018 Issuance of Draft EIS August, 2018 Council begins review of development regulations November, 2018 Issuance of Final EIS January, 2019 Council adoption of subarea plan and development regulations February, 2019 RFP: Lake Forest Park Central Subarea Plan Page 9