The City of Easton believes there is a clear need for a planning approach that would engage the neighborhood and uncover strategies, projects, and programming that would assist and improve the quality of life for West Ward residents. Over the last five years, the City of Easton has managed a variety of planning and engagement efforts.

The City of Easton conducted a citywide comprehensive planning process, including close to 90 public meetings, 40 of which were community-wide, focused on listening to residents. The message from these meetings was clear: the City needs to focus attention on its neighborhoods. Nurture Nature Center, a science-based community center in Easton's downtown, conducted a community-wide needs assessment (including surveys, interviews, focus groups and a forum) among residents and stakeholders in 2014, focused on environmental concerns facing the city. Results showed the neighborhoods have limited access to fresh food, challenges with pedestrian walkability and connectivity between neighborhoods and to recreational assets, low recycling rates and litter issues, concerns about crime and drugs, and importantly, and particularly in the West Ward, a high level of neighborhood pride waiting to be tapped. Easton Promise Neighborhood (EPN) began studying one of the City's lowest income census tracts (142) in West Ward, with a specific emphasis on children's education and family health. Relevant resource files and the full rfp can be accessed here: http://www.goo.gl/3UzGce

These three planning initiatives represent renewed engagement with residents, and each confirmed the need for further civic dialogue about the specific needs of the least heard residents in the West Ward. A neighborhood plan should be developed to provide specific, city and resident-informed direction and momentum to the City's and GEDP's future initiatives in the neighborhood.

Important Dates:

All proposers should plan to attend a pre-proposal meeting on Monday, February 5, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Easton City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 123 South 3rd Street, Easton, PA. This meeting is not required in order to win a contract, however attendance or calling in is strongly encouraged. Call in information will be distributed by request. Questions regarding the proposal may be submitted in writing to Jared Mast at jared@eastonpartnership.org by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018. Proposals must be received no later than Friday, February 16, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.

Proposals should be addressed to:

ATTN: Jared Mast: Greater Easton Development Partnership, 325 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042. (610) 250-2078

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SEALED AND CLEARLY MARKED "West Ward Neighborhood Plan"