Project Overview:

The City of Waukesha is requesting proposals for preparation of a housing study and needs analysis. The results of this Housing Study will help elected officials, City staff, stakeholders and community members develop a meaningful sense of the housing market, an understanding of key housing issues and how they impact the City of Waukesha. It will also serve as a platform for strategy and policy decisions. The report is intended to offer community leaders and stakeholders a basis for formulating community-specific housing priorities, policy alternatives and intervention strategies, including land use and zoning decisions, and allocation of City and other resources.

The study should include an assessment of existing housing conditions, demographic and market demands, and identify critical housing gaps and issues, it should identify any current and anticipated unmet housing needs and provide an outlook towards anticipated housing demands over the next 20 years. This should be a data driven study which will be used to identify citywide and neighborhood focused housing priorities and provide a policy alternatives and interventions strategies to guide the City in decision making for future housing needs.

Community Background:

The City of Waukesha is characterized by a rich mix of neighborhoods, excellent schools, variety of shopping choices, a diverse industrial base, an active arts community, and beautiful parks and recreational amenities. The City strives for a community that provides a diversified work environment, balanced housing stock, and strong business opportunities.

The City has a population of 71,976 with a vibrant, walkable downtown located along the banks of the Fox River. Waukesha is home to several higher education institutions including Carroll University and UW-Wisconsin Waukesha. GE Healthcare is among the larger employers in the City with over 3,500 employees.

As seventh largest city in the State and the largest municipality in the County, the City of Waukesha serves as the County Seat and is uniquely positioned to provide employers with needed workforce. The City is 19 miles west of downtown Milwaukee and 71 miles east of Madison, and 25 miles from Mitchell International Airport.

Waukesha has a strong employment base, diverse housing stock, strong quality of life factors and solid public infrastructure, including public transit. The City continues to see strong interest from the business and development communities. The City is expected to continue to grow through redevelopment opportunities and the continued development of open land on the west and south sides of the City. Downtown Waukesha has experienced a renaissance that has led to historically low vacancy rates for both commercial and residential spaces.

Waukesha receives the second highest rating in Waukesha County on the AARP Livability Index and is one of the only walkable communities in the County. These features will continue to attract residents and businesses to the City in the future.

Responsibilities of the City:

The City of Waukesha will provide the following:

• The City has assembled demographic and housing data for Waukesha and neighboring and similar size communities which will be made available for preparation of the housing study
• Access to City housing records and maps
• GIS support
• Staff will assist in project management and administration.
• Staff will coordinate and schedule all meetings, take notes as needed, distribute information.

Budget:

The total budget for this project is $30,000. In the consultant budget submitted with the proposal, please indicate areas where the City can provide assistance to minimize cost. If the proposed scope of work exceeds the City's total budget, please indicate which components of the consultant budget could be completed within the City's allotted budget and which would require additional funds.

Schedule:

Proposal Submission:

Proposal must be received by 4:00 pm, Monday, June 26 ,2017.

Three hard copies of the and one PDF copy of the proposal must be submitted.

Proposal should include:

• Detailed scope of work including a description of the technical approach to the project, an outline of the sequence of task, and major benchmarks
• Description of what the final report will include
• A summary of key staff experience and identification of the project manager
• Description of similar project experience
• Identification of sub-consultants if applicable (including staff experience and similar project experience)
• Project timeline
• Budget breakdown
• Proposed use of City Staff or resources

Sealed proposals should be clearly marked – CITY OF WAUKESHA HOUSING STUDY AND NEEDS ANALYSIS.Deliver submittal to:

City of Waukesha, Community Development Department
Attn. Maria Pandazi, AICP City Planner
201 Delafield Street, Room 200
Waukesha, WI 53188

Questions regarding the Request for Proposal should be directed to Maria Pandazi, AICP, via email at mpandazi@waukesha-wi.gov not later than June 16, 2017 at 2:00 pm, under the subject line: HOUSING STUDY AND NEEDS ANALYSIS.

The City of Waukesha reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted, and may require new proposals. Following the acceptance of a proposal, the City of Waukesha reserves the right to further negotiate the terms and conditions of the work requirements and the form of the contractual agreement with the firm chosen to provide the services as requested in this RFP.