REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PLANNING SERVICES NORTHWEST AREA SHARED VISION BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL PARK

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PLANNING SERVICES NORTHWEST AREA SHARED VISION BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL PARK CITY OF NORTHFIELD 81 WASHINGTON STREET NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA 5557 DUE: May 11, 218 T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 1 of 9

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The City of Northfield is seeking a qualified consultant or team of consultants to facilitate a planning process to assist the EDA, Planning Commission, and City Council with the preparation of a shared vision for the development a business and industrial park planned to be located in the northwestern quadrant of the City. Northfield is a historic community of more than 2, people, located 45 minutes south of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Northfield is part of a larger region is influenced by the Twin Cities metro area yet maintains a distinct identity in terms of its economy, land values, development patterns, and overall sense of community. Northfield is rich with landmarks and natural resources, and is defined by the Cannon River that runs through the historic downtown, abundant parks and open space, attractive neighborhoods, and two premier college campuses. Within this setting, the City has continued to prosper while at the same time a limited amount of land resource has been available to support the expansion of existing business and industry and also has had few options to attract new business prospects. Given a previous attempt to Master Plan approximately 53 acres in 211, plus the exploration of other areas of potential opportunity, the City has embarked on an effort to expand the land resource supply and create a vision for business and industrial expansion that will serve to provide opportunity of new investment, tax base expansion, job creation and wage enhancement. The City Council and Economic Development Authority (EDA) are committed to accomplishing this shared vision as part of the 218-22 work plan. A working Process Advisory Committee (PAC) has proposed a process recommendation to City Council with several questions outlining the intended vision. The City Council has adopted this recommendation and has established a budget with the assistance of EDA funding for the shared vision. Northfield is a city of deeply held values with residents that care about the city s history and are committed to insure that new development patterns embrace the distinctive character that is Northfield and expect to be an integral participant in the shared vision process. The Northfield City Council is requesting proposals from consulting firms or teams of firms to work with the City Council, EDA and Planning Commission in the preparation of a shared vision. Interested consultants may submit a proposal to: City of Northfield Attn: Chris Heineman 81 Washington Street Northfield, MN 5557 All proposals must be received or postmarked by 5: PM. on May 11, 218. T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 2 of 9

PART I: PURPOSE, PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS, & TIMELINE OF PROJECT 1.1 PURPOSE: The City Council and EDA have adopted a 218-22 Strategic Plan which includes a strategic priority of commercial and industrial tax base growth. In 29, the City of Northfield annexed 53 acres in the northwest quadrant of the city that has been identified as an area where this could be accomplished. The City of Northfield is seeking a consultant to assist the EDA, Planning Commission, and City Council with the preparation of a shared vision for the development of this area. In 29, the City hired consultants to assist with the creation of a Master Plan for this area. A draft plan was completed and presented to the City Council in 211, but no action was taken. The 53-acre site is located north of State Highway 19 in the northwest quadrant of the City and is illustrated in Appendix A attached to this RFP. The desire to undertake a shared vision process is a clearly stated objective of the EDA and the City Council of Northfield. The shared vision will serve as the primary guiding document for zoning and future development of this area. The importance of creating a vision that will be embraced by the larger community, which sets out the planning and development standards for a business and industrial area, is the expected outcome. This vision must articulate a compelling message and create a competitive advantage for businesses and industries that would locate in a business and industrial park setting in the City of Northfield. In preparing the shared vision, consultants are expected to adhere to the planning principles and policy guidance that is established in the numerous plans and guiding documents. These documents can be found at the following links: Northfield Business & Industrial Park Plan (https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/documentcenter/view/645) City of Northfield Comprehensive Plan (https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/documentcenter/view/331) Comprehensive Transportation Plan (https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/documentcenter/view/64) Comprehensive Economic Development Plan (https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/documentcenter/view/575) City Strategic Plan (https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/documentcenter/view/5833) Additionally, consultants are expected to adhere to the values of the community: Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability; including: Multi-modal connectedness to the rest of the Community consistent with City bike and pedestrian plans Sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure Transparency and Openness to the many stakeholders, which will include at least the City and its Boards and Commissions, landowners, and citizens. T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 3 of 9

1.2 PROPOSAL SPECIFICATION FOR SHARED VISION Proposals submitted to the City in response to this RFP must demonstrate how the following objectives of the shared vision will be fulfilled. The selection of the consultant firm will be based on how well the proposal responds to these questions. 1.2.1 How could the Northwest Area best support the City goals of expanding the commercial and industrial tax base? The City Council has identified a strategic priority to grow and diversify the tax base. The previous consultant studied the possibility of commercial and industrial development for the Master Plan. The Committee recommends a consensus be reached regarding how this area may best support the City s goal of expanding the commercial and industrial tax base. In order to reach consensus, the consultant shall answer these questions: Will the Northwest Area support non-retail commercial and/or industrial development? What types? What types of these developments would be most appropriate or synergistic for Northfield? What additional uses this area would support? 1.2.2 How can the City most strategically and sustainably use existing infrastructure and extend infrastructure in this area? What kinds of and amounts of new infrastructure would be required to support the proposed additional development in this area? This should include an analysis of traditional utilities and road networks and also the possibility of extending public transportation modes in this direction from Northfield. 1.2.3 Would the market support the proposed development uses for the Northwest Area? Will the market support the proposed development uses for the Northwest Area? At what rate could the market absorb different uses? Is one area more likely to develop first? 1.2.4 How and to what extent do the potential uses support or interact with other City plans or goals? The consultant will support the city in understanding how potential uses for the Northwest Area could advance the City s goals. The consultant will work with the City to: 1. Assemble relevant goals. 2. Develop performance measures with which the City can assess how potential uses would advance these goals. These would likely include, but certainly not be limited to: Cost-effectiveness. Would new infrastructure investments (which would vary by potential use) pay for themselves, or otherwise be worth it? T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 4 of 9

Consistency with other relevant plans, including those by Saint Olaf College, Dakota County, Rice County, MnDOT and other relevant stakeholders. Synergistic impacts that may influence or support other economic development in Northfield. 1.2.5 Are there aspects of the 211 Plan that would/should inform our 218 planning? Are there aspects of 211 draft master Plan that should inform the current planning for a narrower objective? 1.2.6 What is the shared vision for the Northwest Area? 1.2.7 In order to advance the shared vision, what sequence of planning and development would be recommended for Northwest Area development? What actions should the city take to: Advance the vision and set it up for success? Prepare to respond to growth pressures that may not be consistent with the Vision? How would the consultant recommend that this be sequenced? What should be the first priorities and what should clearly wait for later development? 1.2.8 What role do other nearby lands play in advancing that vision? One of the challenges in visioning for the Northwest Area is deciding whether to include other land, such as the land to the east of the hospital, in a broader vision. There are good reasons to do so, but adding land also broadens the scope and with almost certainly cost and time. The answer to this question should inform the answer to Questions 6 and 7. 1.3 PROJECT TIMELINE: The Northfield City Council has approved the following timeline for project completion: Selection of a consultant/facilitator May 31, 218 Proposed ULI Minnesota Navigating Your Competitive Future Session July 9, 218 EDA, Council, and Planning Commission visioning process completed July 31, 218 Approximately 2-4 facilitated meetings anticipated Public review completed September 3, 218 City Council approval of shared vision October 16, 218 T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 5 of 9

1.4 INQUIRIES: All inquiries related to this RFP should be directed to: Chris Heineman Community Development Director 81 Washington Street Northfield, MN 5557 (57) 645-35 E-mail: chris.heineman@ci.northfield.mn.us Written or oral requests for clarification on the content of the RFP must be received on or before 5: PM, May 11, 218. Answers to all oral or written requests provided by the City of Northfield will be in writing and postmarked and forwarded to all firms who have identified themselves as proposing on this request by May 25, 218. 1.5 PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND SUBMISSION: One (1) original and six (6) copies of all materials constituting the proposal from consulting firms must be received by the Economic Development Coordinator or postmarked to the Economic Development Coordinator no later than 5: PM CDT, May 11, 218. All proposals shall be submitted to: City of Northfield Attn: Chris Heineman 81 Washington Street Northfield, MN 5557 Any proposal received by the City after the date stated in this RFP will be rejected and returned unopened to the firm submitting the material. The City may request an oral interview with selected firms as determined by the City. 1.6 REJECTION OF PROPOSALS: The City of Northfield reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP. The City reserves the right to negotiate terms and performance expectations with the selected firm or firms. The City will not pay for any information requested, nor is it responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents in preparing and submitting a proposal. 1.7 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Any written or oral requests for information or clarification related to this RFP must be received on or before April 27, 218. T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 6 of 9

Any addenda to this RFP as a result of requests for clarification will be mailed in writing to all consulting firms who have identified that they anticipate submitting a proposal by May 4, 218. Proposals shall be received no later than 5: PM CDT, May 11, 218. Written acknowledgment will mailed by the City of Northfield to all consulting firms submitting a complete proposal acknowledging receipt of a complete proposal by May 14, 218. Staff will score all proposals submitted according to the Evaluation Scoring (3.1) and select finalists to be interviewed. Finalists will be notified by May 18, 218. The consulting firm whose proposal has been selected for recommendation to the City will be notified of the award following the June 5, 218 City Council meeting. PART II: SCOPE OF PROJECT, SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS, 2.1 SCOPE AND GOALS OF MASTER PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: The proposal for the shared vision must include the area that has been identified as the northwest quadrant (Appendix A) of the City. The goal of this effort is: Establish a vision of a new area for business and industrial expansion; Identify development and market feasibility; Outline public finance assistance strategies; Outline a strategy for marketing the area for development and end users. 2.3 INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED IN PROPOSAL: Consultant firms are expected to submit sufficient information to assist the City in a complete and thorough review of the proposal. The following information must be included, at a minimum, in proposals in order to receive consideration: Name, address and office location of the consulting firm or firms included in the proposal. History of the firm or firms that demonstrates history and experience in conducting master planning and development strategy projects similar to the project described in this RFP. Names and resumes of all individuals from the firm or firms that will participate in the shared vision project and a description of the specific role or task of each individual who will be involved with this project. Description of at least three of the most similar and most recent shared vision projects that the firm has undertaken. Names of clients and names and contact information of individuals who would be references for similar Shred Vision projects. A detailed description in both narrative and graphic form as necessary that outlines how the firm or firms would propose to accomplish the tasks outlined in this RFP. An estimate of total cost or cost range for the work proposed to be undertaken by the firm or firms. T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 7 of 9

A project timeline with major project milestones identified by either date of expected accomplishment or timeframe for accomplishment. A statement of the firm s availability to begin the project and the capacity of the firm with respect to other projects that are under contract that may affect the timely completion of the work outlined in this RFP. PART III: EVALUATION 3.1 EVALUATION OF FINAL PROPOSALS: Proposals will be evaluated using a point evaluation system. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals received and each criterion will be assigned points up to the maximum number of points that have been allocated to each criteria. Qualification of Firm or Firms: The successful proposal will be evaluated on the basis of experience in performing similar projects involving the preparation of a shared vision for a business or industrial area or similar non-residential larger scale project. Particular attention will be focused on similar projects and the degree and extent to which people from the firm or firms who are assigned to this project have participated in similar projects. (15 points) Quality of Work: Consulting firms will be evaluated on the quality, quantity, timeliness and value received for work similar to the work described in this RFP as determined from references provided by the consultant. ( points) Project Approach: A consultant firm or firms will be evaluated on how the proposal addresses the eight questions described in Part I Sub-section 1.2.1 through 1.2.8 in this RFP. (5 points) Value: Proposals will be evaluated on the time necessary to complete the project with preference given to proposals adhering to the project timeline, the number and types of meetings and interaction the consultant proposes with City Staff and other groups in the City, and the final deliverables proposed by the consultant in relation to the proposed cost or cost range. (25 points) PART IV: SELECTION OF CONSULTANT 4.1 SELECTION PROCESS: Community Development Department Staff will score all final proposals according to the Evaluation Scoring above and will submit three (3) final proposals for committee interviews. Three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Northfield EDA, three (3) members of the Planning Commission, one (1) member from the City Council, one (1) member from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, one (1) member from the Hospital Board, one (1) member from St. Olaf College, the Economic Development Coordinator, the Community T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 8 of 9

Development Director and the City Administrator will evaluate selected finalist proposals as a committee. This committee will recommend the selected consultant to the City Council, EDA and Planning Commission for final award and acceptance. The consulting firm whose proposal has been selected and has been awarded the project will enter into the Professional Services Agreement as approved by the entire Board of the EDA. 4.2 AWARD OF CONTRACT: The consulting firm or team of firms selected by the Committee to prepare the shared vision for the business and industrial park will be expected to enter into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with the EDA using the standard agreement form of the City of Northfield. The selected consulting firm or firms will be expected to prepare a detailed scope of work for the shared vision and will be required to meet the insurance requirements and all other requirements specified in the PSA of the City of Northfield. 4.3 SCHEDULE: Requests for information or clarification April 27, 218 Proposal clarification addenda (if any) May 4, 218 Proposal submittal deadline - May 11, 218 (5: PM) Acknowledgement of proposal receipt May 14, 218 Initial proposal review complete May 18, 218 Consultant interviews (if applicable) May 25, 218 Consultant selection June 5, 218 T:\ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\Business Park Development\NW Enterprise Park\New RFP_218 Page 9 of 9

eek Engineering 4/12/218 99 Appendix A 99 r Mud C 2 Municipal Boundary Parcels 99 Area of Interest 2 GARRETT AVE 2ft Contours Northfield 2 3 Freshwater Emergent Wetland 4 2 99 99 2 2 4 Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland 2 Freshwater Pond/ Creek 3 99 EAVES AVE 99 99 2 NORTH AVE 2 2.1 225 45.2 Miles Feet 9