DUE TO 2000 CHARACTER LIMIT THIS DOCUMENT IS A PARTIAL SUMMARY. PLEASE GO TO http://www.northfieldil.org/Bids.aspx FOR THE FULL DOCUMENT.

The Village of Northfield
361 HAPP ROAD, NORTHFIELD, IL 60093

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
VILLAGE OF NORTHFIELD, IL
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

The Village of Northfield, IL is seeking proposals to update the Northfield Vision Plan from qualified planning consultants based on the scope of services described below.

COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

Northfield is a prestigious North Shore community with convenient access to Chicago, but with a small town character and the beauty of a natural, forested community. The Village is 3.21 square miles and has a population of 5,482. The Village has a wide range of housing stock, ranging from quaint century-old properties to modern condominiums and stunning mansions. Many of the 2,100 single family homes are situated on quiet private lanes. The majority of Northfield's residential areas are zoned to require a minimum of one-acre (40,000 sq.ft.) lots. Families with school-age children enjoy some of the best schools in the country and senior citizens enjoy the largest and best-attended senior center in the area. The central business district is vibrant with very few, if any, vacancies. Businesses enjoy the benefits of a large daytime population, including 2,000 employees at Medline Industries (global headquarters), 600 at American College of Pathologists (a laboratory accreditation agency) and 400 at Stepan Company (a chemical engineering company). The Village is also home to four major luxury auto dealerships. Significant changes have occurred in the community since the Vision Plan was adopted in 1999 including the reconstruction and widening of Willow Road; the Fox Meadow development on the old Missionary Sisters site at Willow and Waukegan Road; the opening of the North Shore Senior Center; the redevelopment of the Hibbard Gardens site at Hibbard and Winnetka Roads and many other sites; the construction of the new Sunset Ridge School and the rezoning of Northfield Road – each contributing to the community fabric.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this project is to update the 1999 Northfield Vision Plan. It is critical for the consultant to effectively engage Village residents, elected and appointed officials, property owners, business community, governmental entities, local institutions and other stakeholders to insure the new Vision Plan will reflect the community's values and vision for the future. Recommendations must be based on thorough research, economically viable and consistent with the character of the community. The final Plan will provide a factual and objective basis for land use decisions will foster a distinctive sense of place and provide a framework for viable economic development efforts.

The project will be overseen by a Steering Committee consisting of representatives of the Village Board, Plan & Zoning Commission and Architectural Commission, Schools, Park District, business community and residents. The project will be managed by the Community Development Director. Ideally the project should be completed within 18-24 months. The Village anticipates allocating financial resources to this project over the course of three fiscal years.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The final scope of work will be developed in collaboration with the selected consultant. The scope of work, at a minimum will include the following:

Data Collection and Evaluation

The Consultant will collect data and evaluate existing conditions of the project areas, 1999 Vision Plan, current code provisions, land use inventory, previous reports, and any other pertinent studies, plans or policies. This will include an analysis of current residential market trends and related issues such as rental versus owner-occupied multi-family development. This data will be used to frame the policies and strategies of the New Vision Plan.

Community Engagement and Visioning

An effective and authentic participation by residents, stakeholders, and community organizations will be critical to the success of this initiative. The Consultant is expected to formulate and execute an innovative and inclusive public engagement strategy, working with staff and the Steering Committee. Techniques should include, at a minimum, community meetings, stakeholder interviews, a project website, surveys and use of social media. The public engagement strategy should be designed to ensure broad and active participation in the updating of the Northfield Vision Plan, including participation by a wide and representative demographic. The strategy should identify methods to be used for publicizing the initiative and maintaining interest and communication with the public.

Future Land Use Map and Recommended Implementation Strategies

Review the current land use maps, zoning districts and land use chart and identify properties susceptible to change and/or that the Village should actively work to facilitate change. Include recommendations about future land uses and identify implementation strategies (new policy statements, regulations, economic development initiatives, etc.) Produce a new future land use map.

Transportation

Establish a set of guiding principles which can be used by the Village in the evaluation of future transportation related plans. Also consider the future impact of driverless vehicles and alternate modes of transportation and what if any actions the Village should consider in anticipation of these significant changes that are likely to occur within the useful lifetime of the updated Plan.

Plan Reconciliation and Update

Review and coordinate the consolidation of relevant existing plans, studies, policies, strategies and guidelines that remain relevant, into the final Vision Plan. When necessary update and incorporate plans, such as the Affordable Housing Plan, to ensure their compliance with Cook County or State of Illinois

Alternate Sub-Area Studies

Drawing on the results of the existing conditions analysis and consensus reached through the initial community engagement process, the consultant will synthesize the ideas into land use, design and development policy alternatives. This will include conceptual plans for redevelopment for identified opportunity sites and sub-areas. These concepts should consider market demands and seek to accomplish community objectives.

In addition to the general Plan update, the Village is considering going into greater detail by seeking options and pricing for studies of the following sub-areas:

• Central Avenue/Frontage Road (north of Willow Road) Corridor
• Willow Road Residential Corridor
• Winnetka Road between Happ Road and Frontage Road
• Village Center East of Edens Expressway
• Village Center West of Edens Expressway:
  • Shell and Bess Hardware sites at northwest corner of Old Willow Road and Willow Road.
  • Edens Bank Site (1756 Willow)
  • Orchard Lane: Explore Enhance on-street parking, walkability, appearance and connectivity between buildings and off-street parking.
  • Alternative circulation patterns for Youngren Cleaners, Alice Place and 1900 Willow Road.
• Northfield Road: Incorporate adopted Northfield Road Corridor Plan and update as needed

DELIVERABLES

The Consultant will:

• Provide project management
• Manage community engagement
• Provide regular status reports to Village staff, Steering Committee and Village Board
• Coordinate with Village staff
• Hold periodic meetings with Steering Committee to present discuss study results and drafts.
• Produce a draft and then final report that includes all minimum elements outlined in scope of services, related recommendations and possible funding strategies for implementation
• Provide 25 bound paper copies and one PDF of the final report and all attachments. In addition provide separate electronic files of all maps, tables, figures, pictures or appendices included in final report.
• Present a draft and then final report and recommendations to Village Board

REFINEMENT BY SELECTED CONSULTANT

The scope of services and deliverables listed above are not intended to be a comprehensive list of what the consultant will provide. It is expected that the consultant proposals will provide the Village with more specific recommendations for approaches, tasks and deliverables based on their experience and expertise from past work on comprehensive plan projects.

EXISTING DATA SOURCES

These documents are posted at http://www.northfieldil.org/Bids.aspx

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposals shall be presented in the following format:

• Title Page: Provide name of firm, address, telephone number and email address of contact person and date of proposal,
• Transmittal Letter: A signed letter of transmittal briefly demonstrating the consultant's understanding of the work to be performed, committing to perform the work within requested time periods, explaining why the consultant's believes that it is best qualified to perform the services, and stating that the proposal is an irrevocable offer
• Table of Contents: Reference Tab and Page Number
• Tab 1- Scope of Work: A detailed account of the firm's approach to the successful completion and implementation of this project. Although the Village has identified the minimum scope of services required, the consultant shall be provided broad lee-way in establishing an approach and methodology to provide the requested services and is encouraged to modify the approach based on experience or past successes in previous projects.
• Tab 2 – Statement of Projected Deliverables: Reports, traditional graphics, computer-generated graphics, etc.
• Tab 3 - Qualifications: Provide a statement of qualifications, including related experience with projects of similar scope.
• Tab 4 - Project Team: List names of project leader and key personnel. Detail each person's responsibilities for this project and provide their resumes.
• Tab 5 - References: List three municipal clients for whom comparable services were performed and the year in which the work was performed. Provide the name, phone number and email for the client representative who is most familiar with your firm's work. Provide an electronic copy of the final work product for each of the three references.
• Tab 6 - Schedule: Provide time line for each component of work.
• Tab 7 - Proposed Budget: Break down estimated costs by individual components of your firm's proposed work plan and by each sub-area plan included in your firm's response. We will use the cost break downs to determine which if any components of the proposed scope will be eliminated for budgetary reasons.

Copies: Provide 15 hard copies of proposals and e-mail a PDF of proposal to sgutierrez@northfieldil.org. Finalist may be asked for additional hard copies.

QUESTIONS

Any questions regarding this request for proposal should be submitted via email to Steve Gutierrez, Community Development Director, at sgutierrez@northfieldil.org by Noon, December 26, 2017.