Introduction

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and the City of Grand Rapids (City) are seeking proposals for planning services to conduct a build out analysis and district plan for publicly owned land in Downtown Grand Rapids. The project area (attached) sits on the west side of Downtown which has seen significant investment over the past 10 years. The public land, however, is predominantly surface parking lots, and DGRI and the City want to better understand the development potential to inform a future disposition strategy that will implement community goals.

Opportunity Overview

In the past decade, Downtown Grand Rapids and the City have experienced unparalleled growth, resulting in thousands of new residents, employees and visitors. In the past two years alone, Downtown saw the addition of 1,100 new residential units, 800 new hotel rooms, 300,000 sq. ft. of office, and the first downtown grocery store.

Construction is also underway for a major corporate headquarters, the second bus rapid transit (BRT) line in the State, and the second phase of the Michigan State University Research Center.

Despite this transformation, additional development opportunities exist. Further, work remains to ensure all members of the community are sharing equally in the ongoing economic success, and that important issues around affordable housing and job access are being addressed. To those important ends, DGRI and the City seek to understand how they can best leverage their assets, including real property, to drive additional growth to further strengthen the local economy and achieve community goals.

Background Information and Coordination with Other Initiatives

DGRI’s work is directed by the GR Forward master plan which was developed through one of the most inclusive public engagement efforts in the City’s history.  GR Forward clearly defines the community’s priorities for the next generation of growth in Downtown, and specifically examined growth potential of publicly owned land on the west side.

GR Forward, 2015

The concepts developed during the community conversations were informed by, and helped to influence, other planning initiatives throughout the City and specifically for the westside. Below is a list of relevant resources and initiatives that offer important context specific to the project area, as well as the City.

City of Grand Rapids Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Plan, 2020

Grand Rapids Bicycle Action Plan, 2019

City Strategic Plan, 2019

Downtown Grand Rapids Streetspace Guidelines, 2019

Grand Rapids Destination Assets Study, 2017

Rose Center Fellowship Report, 2017

Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority Development and TIF Plan, 2016

Westside TIF & Development Plan, 2014

Westside Area Specific Plan, 2014

City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance

Scope of Services

The successful candidate is expected provide the following deliverables, in a highly-visual format:

• Build out analysis to achieve community goals related to residential density and job creation.
• Scenario planning related to urban design and how potential build out enhances and/or creates public space, including adjacent streetspaces.
• Urban design recommendations to rebalance adjacent streetspaces as indicated in Downtown Streetspace Guidelines
• Engagement to build upon vision established in GR Forward
• Massing and height scenarios, including relationship of potential development to adjacent urban fabric
• Circulation, including accommodation of all modes: pedestrian, bike, transit, automobile, and trucks
• Implementation strategy for disposition

Proposed Project Schedule

Dates provided below are subject to change and will be refined with the successful project team.

February 10, 2020 – RFQ Issued

February 21, 2020 – Deadline for RFP Questions (by 5 pm local time)

February 28, 2020 – Question Responses (by 5 pm local time)

March 12, 2020 – Proposals Due (by 2 pm local time)

April 8, 2020 – Notice of Award

April 15, 2020 Commence Project

June 19, 2020 Submit Key Deliverables

Proposal Submittal Requirements

Submission to this request should be no longer than 10 pages, including cover and ending page. Pages may be double-sided.  Page size should be 8½” x 11” in either portrait or landscape.

Proposal shall be submitted digitally in PDF format to mmiller@downtowngr.org

Proposal submission shall include, at minimum:

• Summary of project understanding.
• Firm overview of lead consultant and any subconsultants proposed to work on project.
• Key team members who will work on the project, including project manager.
• A description of experience in completing work of this type, including three (3) examples of similar projects in an urban context.  Include project references.
• Project approach and schedule.
• Professional fee to complete the work as described. Fees shall include all tasks and staffing necessary to complete the project as outlined above and within your submitted proposal. All reimbursable expenses shall be included in this fee.

Registration

All interested consultants are encouraged to send an email to Mark Miller (mmiller@downtowngr.org) to register their intent to respond to this RFP. All firms expressing interest will be added to an email distribution list and will be notified if additional information related to the RFP becomes available. Firms failing to register in this manner may not receive all information relevant to the preparation of their proposals.

 RFP Questions

Any questions regarding the proposal may be submitted by email to Mark Miller (mmiller@downtowngr.org). Questions may be submitted up until 5pm Friday, February 21, 2020. Responses will be sent to all registered participants no later than 5pm on Friday, February 28, 2020.

Evaluation Criteria

DGRI and partners will evaluate responses to this opportunity based on the following criteria:

• Thoroughness, quality and conciseness of the submittal.
• Project understanding and approach for achieving the stated objectives.
• Related project experience and demonstration of tangible results.
• Proven understanding of 21^st century city building concerns, fundamentals and opportunities.
• Professional fees and strength of project team.

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About Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

DGRI is the organization responsible for city building and place-management in the urban core of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the state’s second-largest city. Established in 2013, DGRI serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Downtown Improvement District (DID), and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority. More details can be found at www.downtowngr.org.