The City of Arlington is requesting proposals from professional consulting firms qualified to develop Design Guidelines for the intersection of Collins Street & Pioneer Parkway in Arlington. This intersection is the gateway to the city's international corridor as established in the New York Avenue Corridor Strategy, adopted by the Arlington City Council in September 2013.These design guidelines are intended to highlight and honor this heritage and encourage the emerging international character along the Pioneer Parkway corridor, and to encourage a reduction in traffic congestion at the intersection. The subject area for this project can be found on the maps included in Exhibit 5. Funding for this project will be provided through a partnership between the City of Arlington and Tarrant County.

Currently, this intersection is developed with various retail uses including a gas station, restaurant, alternative financial institutions, and general clothing and goods retail stores. The City is interested in developing Design Guidelines that will increase the aesthetic quality of the area and showcase the international heritage that makes this section of Arlington unique. This intersection also has several drive approaches near the traffic signal, and currently, drivers experience heavy traffic and hazardous road maneuvering, especially on Collins Street. As part of the City's 2014 Bond Program, Collins Street between Park Row Drive and Pioneer Parkway will be rebuilt in part to reduce traffic congestion of the major north-south thoroughfare. The City would like to capitalize on this planned investment in hopes that it will spur redevelopment in the area. Construction is slated to begin in 2019.

A successful document will build on the cultural diversity of the area to create a cohesive character. These Design Guidelines will focus primarily on the public property realm, with some recommendations for private property to enhance the international character. The firm selected for this project will provide leadership throughout the planning process. This project should result in a comprehensive set of Design Guidelines to enhance the aesthetic quality of this gateway intersection. This process will require a community engagement component, including a charrette exercise. The selected firm will need experience identifying culturally appropriate and meaningful international aesthetic characteristics.

View the full RFP announcement here: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/cdp/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/04/RFP-Collins-and-Pioneer-Parkway-Design-Guidelines-April-2017.pdf