Wausau Center Urban Design and Transportation Master Plan

The full RFP can be viewed here. Following is an excerpt from the RFP.

INTRODUCTION

This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks a qualified firm to create a Wausau Center Urban Design and Transportation Master Plan in Wausau, WI.

The plan would evaluate the circulation, traffic patterns, parking, pedestrian experience and streetscaping of the streets around the Wausau Center Mall, primarily focusing on Forest Street and Washington Street from 1st Street to 6th Street.

Forest Street is a three-lane one-way, without parking, connecting the Washington Street Bridge and the west side of Wausau to the southern edge of the downtown and Grand Avenue. Forest Street serves as a one way complement to Scott Street, circling through Wausau's downtown. It is currently designated as southbound Business Highway 51 and eastbound State Highway 52. The properties along Forest Street are a mix of commercial uses. Some of them have been redeveloped, and others are vacant or underutilized. Forest Street runs along the backside of a regional shopping center which will be undergoing changes – transitioning away from a traditional indoor shopping mall. The street serves two parking structures that are associated with the mall.

Washington Street functions as a converging one-way street, funneling traffic from the east and west to 3rd Street, Wausau's historic main street. The main entrance to the Wausau Center Mall is on Washington Street at the southern terminus of 3rd Street. The properties along Washington Street are commercial storefronts and the northern façade and entrance to the Wausau Center Mall.

The scope of the plan includes overall downtown circulation and the relation of both Forest Street and Washington Street to the adjacent streets. It will be necessary to include in the evaluation complementary and connected streets throughout the downtown, including Grand Avenue, Scott Street, Jefferson Street, 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street.

Some overarching themes to address in the Master Plan:

• Improving the connectivity between Wausau Center Mall, the core downtown area, and the rest of the City
• Improving parking options along the corridors
• Improving pedestrian and bicycle access, comfort and safety
• Facilitating improvement of properties along the street
• Adapting to and facilitating the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of Wausau Center Mall
• Serving as a downtown gateway
• Adaptability to future changes in transportation needs

Particular topic areas to address in the plan include, but are not limited to:

• Street and intersection design (including exploring conversion from one-way into two-way streets)
• Recommended changes to zoning and land use along the corridors
• Infill location and design recommendations
• Recommendations to add parking capacity along Washington Street and Forest Street corridors
• Streetscaping, landscaping and green infrastructure recommendations
• Design recommendations and streetscaping options for the north side façade of the Wausau Center mall to be opened to the street along Washington Street.

SCOPE OF WORK

The goal of this corridor plan is to have actionable recommendations that allow the City to proceed with a recommended alternative, with minimal additional study and re-design work needed to proceed to the construction phase. A phased approach may be desired, breaking the results into immediate action items, mid-term items, and long-term items. The consultant will be expected to work closely with city staff on a public process for evaluating corridor alternatives. This will involve facilitation of public meetings in addition to working meetings with city staff and/or key stakeholders. The exact number of meetings, as well as deliverables, timelines, etc. will be developed with city staff and may be altered during the process. The consultant is also expected to perform some preliminary work with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to ensure corridor alternatives are feasible. Design will primarily utilize GIS level measurements, but if additional topographic detail is needed then City staff can contribute survey work.

The overall scope of work is anticipated to include the following:

• Thorough review of available traffic data, including traffic counts, crash data, and future traffic projections
• Walk audit of project area
• Visioning with businesses and property owners along the two primary corridors
• Development of feasible street design alternatives
• Review of current land uses
• Urban design recommendations for future redevelopment of parcels along the corridors, including sketches
• Public involvement including in-person meetings, city committees, and online outreach
• Draft documents, including the plan and any supporting documents
• Generation of final draft plan, maps, graphics, and supporting documents
• Assistance with adoption of final plan through city committees and Common Council

DELIVERABLES

Street design alternatives. Evaluate circulation, access and traffic, including a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) if needed by WisDOT. Propose street design alternatives for Forest Street and Washington Street, including street layout and concepts. Summarize the pros and cons of each alternative, including the effects on traffic and circulation for all modes of transportation and cost estimates. Include any changes needed to connecting streets to accommodate the alternatives. The City expects to choose at least one preferred alternative during the planning process that may include more detail, such as typical sections equivalent to a 30% design plan.

Streetscaping and urban design plan. Show the recommended streetscaping treatments along the corridors, including parking, sidewalks, street furniture, utilities, landscaping, and sidewalk activities. Include a plan for and sketches or renderings of potential enhancements to existing buildings and infill of underutilized or vacant parcels.

The consultant may propose additional tasks and/or a revised scope based on experience with similar projects in similar cities. Sub-tasks, such as conference calls, draft reviews, etc. shall be considered part of the proposed scope but will not be detailed in this RFP.

Upon selection of a consultant, the City would like to move quickly in developing the master plan. The City would like to have the plan completed by fall of 2018.

BUDGET

Consultants should provide a total cost to prepare the plan including hourly rates and estimated number of hours to complete the project. All expenses associated with the project including all travel and incidental costs should not exceed $50,000.