REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOUTH NORWALK TRANSIT ORIENTED DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN SUBMIT BY APRIL 10, :00PM

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOUTH NORWALK TRANSIT ORIENTED DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN SUBMIT BY APRIL 10, :00PM

2 NORWALK REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOUTH NORWALK TRANSIT-ORIENTED DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN March 20, 2014 VISION In October 2011, the Norwalk Common Council approved the South Norwalk Railroad Station Area Transit-Oriented Development Strategy Master Plan (TOD Master Plan). The Plan was undertaken to unlock the next steps in the economic revitalization and redevelopment of the South Norwalk neighborhood within easy walking distance of the South Norwalk Railroad Station. Excellent regional access by commuter rail to and from jobs and homes in Norwalk was identified as a fundamental competitive advantage. The Plan identifies specific pragmatic strategies that the City can apply to encourage and enhance private sector investment that will incrementally result in positive transformation. Norwalk will directly benefit from a complete, compact neighborhood that draws new residents and businesses within a socially and economically diverse District. Attracting coordinated private investment will bring jobs, enhance real estate values and improve the quality of life for existing residents and businesses as well. GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The TOD Master Plan identified a TOD District boundary that extends approximately ½ mile from the South Norwalk Railroad Station (see attached Exhibit I) along the blocks that lie between Martin Luther King Drive to the west, the Norwalk River to the east, the Webster Street block to the north and Concord Street to the south. The TOD Master Plan also identified specific recommendations to unlock investment in improvements within this District that include: Zoning changes to support TOD neighborhoods Design Guidelines to inform future development

3 Circulation and transportation recommendations to improve pedestrian corridors, streetscaping, bicycle use and vehicular traffic The implementation of these goals is currently challenged by the fact that the TOD District overlaps three existing Urban Renewal Areas : South Norwalk Urban Renewal Plan Area I (1962). Washington-South Main Street Improvement Area II (1981) and the South Main Corridor Urban Renewal Plan (1990). In addition, with the TOD District and those existing three Urban Renewal Areas, there are eight different active zoning designations (see attached Exhibit II) most of which have overlapping permitted land uses, densities and parking requirements. Adoption of the TOD Master Plan signaled the City s commitment to the community goals, objectives and opportunities identified therein. On April 9, 2013, the Norwalk Common Council authorized advancing the Plan recommendations through the consolidation of urban renewal areas and current Zoning distinctions to support and concentrate public resources behind implementation. Aside from a common geography, the existing urban renewal areas share common controls and design guidelines separated most significantly by the aged nature of the planning. Most of the Zoning categories include common permitted uses, densities and parking requirements albeit at varying scales although none acknowledge the benefits of active public transit through increased densities and/or reduced parking requirements. The goal of District consolidation is to establish a single TOD District Redevelopment Plan area with uniform Zoning criteria that supports the Master Plan objectives of encouraging moderate scale, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods with adequate circulation amenities, public safety and open space. The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency is seeking Statements of Qualifications from qualified planning consulting teams to develop a TOD District Redevelopment Plan pursuant to the provisions of Section of the Connecticut State Statutes to provide the framework for implementation of the strategic recommendations in the TOD Master Plan. The TOD District Redevelopment Area geography is roughly defined by the Master Plan District boundary but adjustments to the specific limits of a TOD District Redevelopment Plan Area will be considered. The team should include a broad range of urban planning and development expertise including specifically zoning, transportation, parking, economic development, housing markets, streetscape design and design guidelines disciplines. The TOD District Redevelopment Plan will include District-wide project goals and standards relating to land use, design guidelines, streetscapes, traffic improvements, utilities, public parking, private parking minimums and maximums, historic preservation, an adopted comprehensive and uniform Zoning regulation and recommended financial tools and resources.

4 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Community involvement is a critical component to building an implementation tool that is realistic and relevant for the existing South Norwalk community as well as the future neighborhood residents and businesses. In addition, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Department of Public Works and the Norwalk Common Council will also be integral to the Plan development, review and approvals. The consultant team must use whatever presentation tools are appropriate to engage the community and/or municipal workshop reviews. In addition, the consulting team will also provide presentation materials electronically suitable for posting on public websites and social media. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Statements of Qualifications shall include the following: Introduction letter: The letter shall identify the lead consultant, area of expertise and understanding for the project. The letter shall include the lead consultant individuals who will be the project management as well as the sub-consultants and their specific project assignments. Qualifications: A sample of relevant comparable projects shall represent the lead consultant s experience with Redevelopment Plan development, with TOD and related Plan specific component features, with community participation and with municipal adoption of Redevelopment Plans. A list of comparable projects shall represent the qualifications of proposed sub-consultants for the particular skill sets they represent in the development of TOD District Redevelopment Plan components. Note should be taken of comparable projects on which the lead consultant performed as a team with any or all of the proposed sub-consultants Method and Approach: The lead consultant will appropriately detail the method it will employ to assure that the development and approval of the TOD District Redevelopment Plan will be completed with high quality, broad community support, in a timely fashion and within budget by including an outline of scope of work tasks including community participation schedule. The method proposed should also include an economic analysis to assure the Redevelopment Plan is market responsive. Special Services: The lead consultant shall provide detailed information about special services, if any, that the consultant team provides that enhances its ability to provide the services requested in particular means to engage community outreach.

5 Staffing: The lead consultant shall provide a list of individuals, including subconsultants and their qualifications who will be committed to completing the TOD District Redevelopment Plan through approval by the Common Council. References: The lead consultant shall provide a list of five references in which similar services were provided by the lead consultant, noting the specific individuals representing the lead consultant for these comparable projects, within the past three years. Schedule: Provide a work schedule for the TOD District Redevelopment Plan project laying out completion of all the Tasks within the proposed scope of work. The City expects to consider approval of the completed TOD District Redevelopment Plan no later than September 30, Budget: The anticipated budget for this work is $25,000. SELECTION PROCESS All Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee established by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency representing professional staff and community stakeholders. The Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. However, the final selection will be made by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. After evaluation of the submittals, several firms may be selected for oral interview if necessary. Submittals will be evaluated and scored on the following minimum criteria rated by following percentages: 30% Responsiveness to scope of the TOD District Redevelopment Plan development, community involvement plan and Plan approval strategy 30% Composition and professional experience of consultant team 25% Prior experience with TOD Redevelopment Plan development and adoption 15% Project schedule PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULE The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency (Agency) reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to change the scope of this RFQ. The decision of the Agency shall be final. Any Statement submitted during this RFQ process becomes the property of the Agency. The Agency will not be liable for, nor pay any costs incurred by the proposer in preparation of a response to this RFQ or any other costs involved including travel or reproduction costs. The RFQ mailing list is available upon request.

6 Five copies of the Statements of Qualifications, together with an electronic submission, should be submitted to the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency by April 10, :00pm to the attention of: Timothy T. Sheehan, Executive Director Norwalk Redevelopment Agency 125 East Avenue Room 202 Norwalk, CT REFERENCE DOCUMENTS (available through the following link: South Main Corridor Urban Renewal Plan South Norwalk Urban Renewal Plan Area I Washington-South Main Improvement Area II Norwalk Zoning regulation and map South Norwalk Railroad Station Area Transit Oriented Development Strategy Final Report (Master Plan) Norwalk Connectivity Master Plan CDM Smith Contract for DOT TOD Pilot Program Grant