Introduction

The Downtown Everett Association (DEA) seeks a creative consultant to develop a 10-year Vision and Action Plan to guide the physical and cultural revitalization of roughly 40 blocks in Downtown Everett.

As a national and state-accredited Main Street organization, the DEA focuses on clean and safe services, marketing, business recruitment, and placemaking. Deeply rooted in the community, the DEA aims for a plan reflecting its commitment to an urban core encompassing over 250 storefronts and 450 properties.

Several City of Everett (City) led plans have shaped growth, including the Everett Downtown Plan (2006) and Metro Everett (2018, amended 2020). The DEA is launching this project to build on that foundation, delivering a clear 10-year Vision underpinned by a prioritized five-year Strategic Action Plan.

Located 25 miles north of Seattle, Everett is the seventh most populated city in Washington and the seat of Snohomish County. Its downtown is a vibrant urban core situated on a peninsula bordered by the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay, bisected by I-5. The area features a patchwork of historic Prohibition-era architecture, classic storefronts, and modern developments.

This character is defined by cultural landmarks like Schack Art Center, The Village Theater, APEX Everett, New Everett Theater, and the Angel Of The Winds Arena, alongside the global headquarters of Funko.

However, downtown faces structural impediments. Opportunities include connecting districts, updating streetscapes, facilitating redevelopment, and improving public spaces. As the region prepares for major growth — including new housing, a light rail station, and a new outdoor events and sports stadium — this plan must address these challenges while honoring the district's heritage.

The DEA requires a vital readiness strategy ensuring physical enhancements and economic strategies are resilient enough to leverage growth. The plan will focus on economic development, public realm, transportation, equity, and land use. The selected consultant must coordinate with DEA and City staff, guiding a joint steering committee while balancing the views of local businesses, property owners, and residents.

Plan Deliverables & Objectives

The plan must provide:

• A 10-year vision and 5-year action plan for physical development.
• A collaborative community resource to catalyze investment and accelerate high-priority initiatives.
• A project list balancing long-term catalyst projects with "early wins" and viable funding models.
• Robust public engagement and adaptability to emerging topics.

The plan will:

1. Address barriers in the DEA's Strategic Plan.
2. Define an ambitious vision positioning downtown as a distinctive regional destination.
3. Build a unified vision through collaborative community engagement.
4. Identify catalytic projects and strategic investments to elevate economic competitiveness.
5. Introduce innovative industry best practices from leading national and international districts.
6. Evaluate prior studies to improve multimodal connectivity (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle).
7. Support arts, culture, entertainment, and public realm improvements.
8. Encourage creative growth while celebrating historic character.
9. Anticipate challenges to create an adaptable downtown.
10. Deliver an actionable implementation strategy with clear priorities and measurable tracking tools.
11. Identify local, regional, state, federal, and private funding opportunities.

Scope of Work

1. Research & Analysis

• Review past DEA/City plans, surveys, and market research to assess policy effectiveness and establish current and projected conditions.

2. Community Outreach and Engagement

• Partner with DEA and City staff to design and execute an inclusive public engagement strategy targeting residents, property owners, and businesses using traditional and digital tools.

3. Vision & Goals Identification

• Work with the DEA, City, and public to align themes with ongoing planning efforts.
• Address growth, housing, parking, public space, arts, historic preservation, and transportation.
• Plan physical development, including street hierarchy, district branding, streetscape elements (lighting, tree wells, trash cans), and connectivity to adjacent districts (Port of Everett, Everett Station District, etc.).
• Establish implementable, measurable goals to ensure accountability.

4. Draft Plan & Implementation Framework

• Provide an implementation matrix with estimated costs, timelines, partner roles, "early win" actions, and data-driven catalyst project justifications.
• Create a 10-year roadmap with performance metrics and funding strategies (grants, P3s, municipal funds).
• Facilitate regular reviews with the steering committee and City staff.

5. Mapping and Visualization

• Create comprehensive visual tools (infographics, maps, charts) and an engaging public-facing summary (handout or short video).

6. Final Plan Production

• Manage the draft review process and deliver final digital (PDF) and physical copies, including all associated data packages.

7. Consultant Project Management

• Maintain the project plan, schedule, budget, roadblocks, and change management processes throughout all phases.

Submission Criteria & Evaluation

Proposals will be scored by a joint DEA and City selection committee. Teams with a strong track record in district revitalization and data-driven project prioritization will be preferred.

Submission Packets Must Include:

1. Cover Letter: A single page introducing the team and primary contact.
2. Main Proposal: Staffing allocations, unique qualifications, descriptions of similar past projects (with budgets and references), a 9-month project timeline, and an itemized budget scenario within the $100,000 - $125,000 threshold.
3. Addenda: Key staff and subcontractor resumes, portfolio links, and up to three 1-page client references.

Evaluation Weighting:

• Technical Approach and Methodology (30%): Geographic understanding of the 40-block context and strategy to capitalize on the new light rail and stadium shifts.
• Team Experience and Qualifications (25%): Track record with comparable catalyst urban designs, streetscape enhancements, and municipal partnerships.
• Public Engagement Strategy (20%): Creativity and inclusivity of outreach methods across traditional and digital tools.
• Implementation Expertise (15%): Proficiency in financial modeling, funding diversification, and data-driven prioritization.
• Cost Proposal and Value (10%): Transparency of the itemized budget relative to deliverable depth.

Timeline

• RFP Post: May 19, 2026
• Submission Deadline: June 19, 2026, 5:00 PM PST
• Anticipated Selection: July 2026
• Project Start Date: Summer 2026