NOTICE REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOLICITATION The City of Colville is inviting statements of qualifications and performance information from a qualified person or firm interested in providing consulting services for municipal planning, parking analytics, urban design, and downtown economics to update a downtown redevelopment and revitalization plan. Responses are due at the Building and Planning office in Colville City Hall at 170 S. Oak, Colville, WA 99114 by 4 pm, Friday, September 22, 2017. City Hall is open Mon-Fri from 8am to 5pm. Submittals should include the following information: Firm name, phone/fax numbers and email addresses; Names of Principal-in-charge and Staff. Submittals will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria: 1) Key personnel; 2) Firm experience; 3) Ability to meet project schedules; 4) Approach to projects; 5) Past performance/references. Persons with disabilities may request this information be prepared and supplied in alternate forms by calling 509-684-5096. Copies of this Advertisement and the City s Consultant Selection Guidelines are posted in the Notice section of the City of Colville s Website at http://www.colville.wa.us. Five (5) copies of the response to this RSQ shall be mailed to, delivered by courier, or presented in person to the City under seal with a concise statement marked on the outside thereof identifying the project to which the submittal pertains. Proposals delivered by facsimile or email will not be accepted. This project is funded through the Washington State Community Development Block Grant program with federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Questions regarding this RSQ should be directed by email to RJ Keetch, City Planner, at rjkeetch@colville.wa.us. The City of Colville is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Minority and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit statements or proposals. Publish: August 30, 2017 September 6, 2017 ###
City of Colville, Washington Request for Statements of Qualifications (RSQ) for a Colville Downtown Redevelopment & Revitalization Plan 1
The City of Colville is seeking a qualified person or firm to contract for consulting services to update a downtown redevelopment and revitalization plan. The deadline for submittals is September 22, 2017 @ 4:00 PM. SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO: City of Colville RJ Keetch, City Planner Building and Planning Department 170 S. Oak St. Colville, WA 99114 WHAT THE CITY IS LOOKING FOR The City is in need of a revised downtown redevelopment and revitalization plan that updates the City s 1999 Downtown Revitalization Plan, Colville 2000 Plan. SCOPE OF SERVICES The updated Colville 2000 Plan will consist of the following minimum deliverables: 1. Chapter I - An updated written executive summary that provides for revised implementation recommendations and an updated downtown mission statement consistent with the City Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Bike/Pedestrian/Trail Plan, Parks & Recreation Plan and other guiding City documents. 2. Chapter II - An updated current conditions chapter with: a. New demographic, employment trends, and retails sales numbers and analysis. b. An updated parking inventory and occupancy study (p.25, 27, 28, Figure H-1, H-2, H-4 & H-5 of existing plan). New recommendations for optimization of parking (must consider overall land-use pattern and best practices for downtown revitalization/livability). 3. Chapter III - A detailed assessment of this chapter with a list of recommendations that are complete, incomplete/no longer valid and incomplete but still valid. An update of this chapter will include: a. A highly understandable map showing the downtown planning area b. Recommendations for business mix, and strategies to achieve said business mix. c. New/updated recommendations for land use, economic development/quality of life, housing, transportation/connectivity, parking, historic preservation and downtown design. d. A recommendation for how to use Business Improvement Districts and other funding mechanisms to support active management of downtown via the Main Street Approach. e. A recommendation for streetscape landscape maintenance and improvements. 4. Chapter IV - A detailed assessment of this chapter with a list of recommendations that are complete, incomplete/no longer valid and incomplete but still valid. An update of this chapter will include: a. The development of two new/updated concept drawings for Main Street (p.43 & 51). b. The development of one new/updated concept drawings for First Street. 2
c. The incorporation of drawings (currently being developed) into the plan for Heritage Park (p.45 & 46). d. The development of two new concept drawings for other areas/streets as determined by the planning process. e. An updated opinion of estimated Program Costs table (p. 69) and an updated potential funding sources table (p.71). 5. A written draft plan that incorporates the Colville 2000 plan and the new data, assumptions, concept drawings and other necessary information in a new cohesive document. 6. A written final plan that incorporates any comments from City staff and outreach to the public conducted by City staff. 7. Plans (15) printed and bound in color. 8. One presentation to City Council summarizing recommendations, new findings and data. BACKGROUND Colville, like many small cities, is struggling to keep its downtown relevant. Suburban big-box retailers, online shopping, changing transportation patterns and changing development patterns have all conspired to render downtown Colville somewhat soulless, uninspiring and economically depressed. Although the 1999 downtown planning effort mentioned above did result in transportation investments and some streetscape improvement, much work was left to be done. It is expected that the downtown plan will build on a community strategic planning/visioning effort that recently concluded. The following needs were identified at a downtown stakeholder meeting conducted February 11, 2016: Brand & re-envision downtown so that it aligns with the community s strategic plan, comprehensive plan and a proposed community trails, pedestrian and bicycle plan. Create a downtown with pedestrians & bicycle transportation connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods. Establish affordable housing and homeless housing near services that are located in the downtown area. Create a community gathering space in downtown and possibly a permanent space for a farmers market and/or start up vendors, and food trucks/stands. Consider implementation of complete streets concepts especially for US 395/Main Street (in cooperation with WSDOT). Address Pedestrian safety and comfort in downtown. Address how downtown design best practices can better serve the community. Address parking and its impact on downtown vitality. The entire community is affected by the conditions in downtown Colville. Downtown planning is an urgent need for the following reasons: Local homegrown retail jobs are dwindling because of competition from big-box stores and online shopping. This creates a less resilient community. Fewer dollars are staying in the community and fewer jobs are being created this is especially impacting those in lower income brackets. 3
Those of all income levels are being impacted as the downtown becomes less vibrant. Downtown provides a community identity and this identity is slowly slipping away as economic activity declines in downtown. Downtown is the most valuable property in the City of Colville and the largest contributor to the tax-base. If downtown is not economically strong the City of Colville will continue to see reduced tax revenue generation to be reduced and/or eliminated disproportionately impacting lower and middle income residents. ABOUT THE CITY Colville is a regional hub mountain town of 4,730 in America's forested northwest, a town with Victorian, as well as traditional modern homes, a clean looking town that serves recreational, timber, and farm interests. Colville (pronounced "Call-ville") is the county seat of Stevens County (population, est. 44,510) and lies in the Colville River Valley about one-half mile east of the Colville River and 10 miles east of the Kettle River and Columbia River. Colville is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 395 (north-south) which runs completely from Mexico to Canada through the center of Colville, forming the town's main street and State Highway 20 (eastwest), which runs from the Idaho-Washington border to the Pacific coast and Washington's San Juan Islands. Colville is approximately an hour north of Spokane. QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of skills and experience that can successfully and effectively address the scope of services. PROCESS FOR QUESTIONS For questions regarding the City s RSQ process or the services being sought, please contact City Planner RJ Keetch via email at rjkeetch@colville.wa.us or via telephone at (509)684-5097 no later than 4:00 PM, September 22, 2017. The Colville 2000 Plan and other documents mentioned can be found on the City s website at http://www.colville.wa.us PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR SELECTION The City will select a consultant no later than October 20, 2017. The consultant will be available to start planning effort no later than November 15, 2017, and complete the effort no later than May 15, 2018. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS To be considered, interested parties must submit, by the deadline, five copies of a proposal package that includes the following: Letter of interest must be no more than two pages (note: one page is one side of an 8½ x 11 paper) in length and include contact information and signature. 4
Summary of qualifications, experience and availability must be no more than five pages in length. It should summarize qualifications, relevant experience, and availability to participate in the RSQ process and provide services to the City. It should also identify key staff members who will be participating. A proposed schedule and description how each of the scope of service items listed above will be addressed (methodology, data gathering approach etc.) must be no more than eight pages summarizing method and approach to providing consulting services to the City. EVALUATION CRITERIA The following will be considered in evaluating each proposal: Key personnel Firm experience Ability to meet project schedules Approach to projects Past performance/references 5
6