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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL REVITALIZATIONAGENDA REPORT pManager vCival be presented by: CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: September 27,1994 SUBJECT: Approval of Request for Qualifications Process to Select a Consultant to Complete a Newhall Revitalization Strategy DEPARTMENT: Community Recovery --Economic Development Division In November 1993, following the completion of a "Citizen Participation Program" for Downtown Newhall, a staff "Newhall Revitalization Task Force" was established to begin implementation of a number of short-term recommendations, including various infrastructure improvements and the opening of a community Youth Center. A full progress report for that group's efforts was presented to the Council at your last meeting. In response to that progress report, Council directed that immediate efforts to develop a Revitalization Strategy for Newhall be undertaken. A Revitalization Strategy for Newhall would include 1) identification of an economic role/niche for Newhall, 2) development of an urban design theme, 3) all work would be conducted in an open environment of citizen involvement/participation, and 4) specific action items/plans would be identified for short-term implementation/construction.. As a next step, a Request for Qualifications would be issued and a consultant selected to perform these services. A time line and major milestones for the consultant selections process would be as follows: 9127/94 Issue/Advertise Requests for Qualifications 10/31/94 Interview approximately 4-5 firms that demonstrate a track - record of success in similar projects. Suggested interview panel would be: Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, Planning Commission Chairman, Community Development Director, Recovery Agency Director. 11/8/94 Final consultant contract to City Council 11/14/94 Consultant begins work. Ap�p��� Agenda item: Agenda Report September 27, 1994 Page 2 The selected consultant would work directly through the Recovery Agency in coordination with the existing staff Newhall Revitalization Task Force and a wide ranging citizen, home -owner, business -owner, land -owner ad hoc group still to be formed/designated. This community group should be large enough to assure that the full variety of community interests are represented, and may be allowed to form naturally in response to open invitation to participate or be specifically identified and appointed by Council. It is envisioned that within approximately 120 days from the point at which the consultants' work begins, that joint consultant/community recommendations can be presented for Council consideration. Earlier budget estimates for a Revitalization Strategy were $50,000 to $100,000. This cost is properly a Redevelopment Agency expense. Staff is also exploring the potential CDBG eligibility of the cost. At such time as a consultant firm is selected, an appropriation action will be presented to Council. RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended that the City Council approve the described request for qualifications process to select a consultant to complete a Newhall Revitalization Strategy. ATTACHMENT Request for Qualifications MH:hlt econdev/ar092794.1 FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES TO DEVELOP A REVITALIZATION STRATEGY FOR NEWHALL TO: Prospective Consultants Date September 27,1994 SUBJECT: Request for Qualification (RFQ) for Consultant Services to Complete a Revitalization Strategy for Newhall TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction II. Background III. Proposal Requirements IV. Scope of Work V. Submittal Requirements I. INTRODUCTION The City of Santa Clarita, located in the center of the Santa Clarita Valley, lies approximately 35 miles northwest of the Los Angeles Civic Center. Current municipal boundaries encompass 42 square miles of land, situated primarily on the valley floor and lower reaches of the surrounding canyons. The current population for the City is approximately 129,000 persons. Newhall is one of several sub - communities contained within the incorporated City of Santa Clarita. Its history as a major retail/community anchor of the region dates back to its foundation in 1876. The viability of the Newhall retail area has declined in importance as new retail competition has increased over the last twenty years. The City of Santa Clarita is requesting a Statement of Qualifications CSOQ's") from technical consultants to assist in developing an economic and urban design revitalization strategy for Newhall. II. BACKGROUND Following the completion of a "Citizen Participation Program" for Downtown Newhall, a staff "Newhall Revitalization Task Force" was established to begin implementation of several short-term recommendations, including various infrastructure improvements and the opening of a community Youth Center. As a next step, it is recommended that a Revitalization Strategy for Newhall be developed which would include 1) identification of an economic role/niche, and 2) development of an urban design focus, 3) all work would be conducted in an open environment of citizen involvement/participation, and 4) specific action items/plans would be identified for short-term implementation/construction. Consultants are encouraged to contact Don Duckworth at (805) 255-4341 or Alex Vasquez at (805) 255-4352 to discuss particulars of the work product requirements. III. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS A. Criteria for Request for Qualifications Primary consideration will be given to the relevant project experience, technical competence, and creative ability of the consultants (as described in their qualifications) and the firm's willingness to work closely with City staff, The City reserves the right to reject all qualifications/proposals that are deemed to be inappropriate and/or inadequate. About four or five of the best -qualified consultant firms will be asked to present their qualifications and particular approach to this project before a committee composed of the Mayor, Mayor- Pro-Tem, Planning Commission Chairman, Community Development Director, and Recovery Agency Director on or about October 31, 1994./ From that point, a single firm will be selected to complete a full contract for full City Council review on or about November 8,1994. The contract will be awarded only to a responsible consultant as an independent contractor. In order to qualify as a responsible consultant, a prospective contractor must meet the following standards as they pertain to this Request for Qualifications: 1. The contractor must have adequate technical and financial resources for performance, as well as adequate equipment, or have the ability to obtain and to manage such resources and equipment as required during the performance period of the proposed contract. 2. The contractor must have the necessary experience, organization, technical qualifications, skills, and facilities, or have the ability to obtain and to manage them (including any subcontractor arrangements). 3. The contractor must be able to comply with the proposed or required performance schedule for this project. 4. The contractor must have a satisfactory record of contractual performance. 5. The contractor must be an Equal Opportunity Employer. 6. The contractor must be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under all applicable laws and regulations. 7. Contractor must covenant that the contractor has no conflict of interest in the undertaking of this work product. Such -3- covenant would state that neither the contractor nor any officer thereof, has any interest, nor shall acquire any interest, directly or indirectly, which will conflict in any manner with the performance of the work product. Contractor must further covenant that contractor has not contracted with nor is the contractor performing any services directly or indirectly for, any developer and/or property owners (individuals, firms, partnerships, etc.) owning property in the City, and must also covenant that contractor shall provide no service nor enter into any contract with any such developers or property owners for the duration of this work product without the written consent of the City. B. City Response to Statement of Qualifications One original and six (6) copies of the Statement of Qualifications must be received by the City of Santa Clarita Community Recovery Agency no later than 5:30 p.m., October 24,1994. All proposals as well as any modifications, received at this office after the hour and date specified above will not be considered unless they are sent certified mail, and it is determined by the City's Project Manager that the last receipt was due solely to delay in mails, for which the consultant was not responsible. Submit Statement of Qualifications to: Donald R. Duckworth Recovery Agency Director City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Boulevard Suite 300 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 C. Limitations 1. The City reserves the right to extend the time allotted for the Statement of Qualifications, to examine verbally the bidder in person, and to request a best and final offer, should the City deem that it is in its best interests to do so. -4- 2. This Statement of Qualifications does not commit the City to award a contract, or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the qualification/proposal. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all qualifications/proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified consultant, or to cancel this Statement if Qualification in part or in its entirety. The City may require the selected consultant to participate in negotiations, and to submit such technical, price, or other revisions of their qualifications/proposals as may result from negotiations. IV. SCOPE OF WORK The City wants to develop a revitalization strategy for Newhall in light of the impacts of the recent earthquake and a decline in retail sales productivity. We are looking for either a single consultant firm or a number of separate consultant firms where the City would very clearly designate the project lead for the development of a revitalization strategy. The scope of work described below outlines a separate subcomponent of the overall strategy that proposers should consider. DesignA. Urban Theme andEconomic the Old Newhall area, - The objective of this revitalization strategy is to develop a comprehensive analysis of the physical and economic issues and opportunities for the Old Newhall area, and to develop a strategic action plan to revitalize and develop the commercial quality of life potential of the area. Specific components of the commercial revitalization strategy should include: 1. Analysis and summary of existing conditions, including: (a) market and demographic data; (b) traffic, transit, circulation and parking; and (c) land use and ownership. 2. Alternative revitalization and enhancement concept plans, including: Economic revitalization strategies, street design concept plans, and sketch plans for special opportunity sites. 3. A final urban design and economic strategy plan for the Newhall •5- Revitalization area should be developed, along with fifty (50) copies of the plan for public distribution. 4. The design and economic strategy should also incorporate workshops or other means of involving affected property, business owners, and citizens. It should provide summary maps an/or other graphics and presentation formats to present existing conditions, design and strategy concepts. These findings, including the analysis of existing conditions, the development of economic and physical revitalization concepts, and a final urban design and economic strategy plan for the Newhall Revitalization area will represent a specific deliverable. These findings should be available for presentation by the consultant to public workshops and/or the City Council. V. SUBMITTAL EVALUATION Qualifications will be initially screened and ranked on the basis of the following conditions: 1. The consultant's approach, including demonstrated flexibility relative to opposition, problems, and negotiation strategies. 2. Methodology for addressing the economic element. 3. Methodology for addressing the urban design element. 4. Methodology for citizen participation 5. Time schedule and the ability to complete the project in a timely efficient and thorough manner. 6. Experience in similar economic and urban design revitalization programs. 7. Qualifications and expertise. 8. Client references. eeondev\newhalLrfq 0