TO DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE RFP DOCUMENT VISIT https://downtownbozeman.org/resources

Request for Proposals

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES to UPDATE THE DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN IMPROVEMENT PLAN

DEADLINE: 4:00 pm Friday April 27, 2018

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Introduction

The City of Bozeman, with an incorporated population of 43,000, is one of the fastest growing micropolitan areas in the country. There are high rates of development in both infill and edge locations in the City, and outside of the City limits as well, and high rates of employment growth in both. Bozeman has a multi-county trade service area. It is the home of Montana State University and a major gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Bozeman is served by Yellowstone International Airport which has the highest annual boardings in the state. As outlying communities also grow they are beginning to locally provide essential services and greater proportion of employment.

Downtown Bozeman has been described as "the heart and soul of the Gallatin Valley", serving as the community's commercial, cultural, social and civic center. As formally recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, the Main Street Historic District anchors downtown with over 45 contributing buildings representing a variety of significant architecture. Significant new development has begun to extend downtown beyond its historic district. Since 2015, in addition to approximately 50,000 square feet of new commercial space, one hundred residential units and one hundred and fifty hotel rooms have been constructed. The 2016 City of Bozeman Economic Development Strategy Update identified downtown as the "preferred location" for business location across all sectors. Downtown Bozeman has a long history of strategic planning, professional district management, and broad community support; which have played a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing its vibrancy and vitality.

Planning Context

The following plans provide important background and context — both past and present — for the update of the downtown plan. The update will be the next iteration in the progression of downtown planning in Bozeman since 1995. The update will build upon these downtown plans:

• 1995 Downtown Urban Renewal Plan (amended in 2015)
• 1998 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan
• 2009 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan
• 2016 Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan

Other planning relevant planning documents:

• 2009 Bozeman Community Plan
• 2015 Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District Report
• 2016 Land Use and Inventory Report
• 2017 Bozeman Transportation Management Plan
• 2018 Bozeman Strategic Plan
• 2018 EPS Demographic and Real Estate Market Assessment

The City of Bozeman is currently proceeding with two important community wide planning efforts:

• Comprehensive Plan-Growth Policy Update
• Comprehensive Review of Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District, Design Guidelines and Historic Preservation Program

Project Overview

All planning documents require periodic assessment and adjustment to ensure they remain relevant and viable. The resulting 2018 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan will serve as an update of the 2009 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan.

Bozeman and downtown have significantly changed since the 2009 Downtown Plan was adopted. Between 2010 and 2016, Bozeman's population grew by 21%. The 435 parking space Bridger Park Garage opened in 2009, which directly catalyzed over $50 million of new development. With all this change following the end of the recession, downtown's retail, office and residential markets have evolved and future land use needs should be reevaluated. Updating the Downtown Plan is critical to maintain downtown's prominence as the community's primary social, cultural and economic center.

This project will focus on three primary elements:

1. existing land use including a needs assessment of land use types based on local market demand and regional market trends
2. existing infrastructure condition and capacity plus necessary upgrades to accommodate current demands and anticipated growth
3. future infill potential for commercial, residential and mixed-use development

See Appendix A for the project area boundary

The Downtown Partnership is seeking a consultant or consultant team that has a compelling proposal to craft the next downtown plan update according to the established timeline and budget.

The Downtown Partnership is seeking a consultant or consultant team that has experience with Downtown Bozeman; has a working knowledge of its current and previous planning documents; and has an understanding of its social, political, and economic dynamics.

While this RFP outlines specific project elements and planning processes, creativity is encouraged.

RFP SCHEDULE

Event Date/Time

Release of RFP — April 2, 2018

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals — April 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Finalist interviews — May 7-11, 2018

Consultant Selection — May 14, 2018

CONTACT

Questions relating to RFP process, scope of services and project management should be directed to:

Chris Naumann
chris@downtownbozeman.org
406-586-4008

SELECTION PROCESS AND RANKING CRITERIA

A review committee will evaluate all responses to the RFP that meet the submittal requirements and deadline. Submittals that do not meet the requirement or deadline will not be considered. The review committee will rank the proposals and arrange interviews with the finalist prior to selection.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Thoroughness and understanding of the tasks to be completed
• Background and demonstrated experience in assisting communities with downtown plans
• Firm's expertise and overall experience of personnel assigned to the work
• Responsiveness to requirements of the project
• Ability to meet the established timeline and budget
• Working knowledge of Downtown Bozeman

SUBMITTAL CONTENT AND SEQUENCE

Assemble and submit a proposal in the order below providing the required content and questions within the allotted page limits. Proposals must be submitted by the deadline via e-mail as a PDF document.

1. Cover Sheet (not to exceed one page)
   1. This sheet will serve as the cover of your proposal and must include name and contact information for the lead consulting firm and project manager.
2. Proposal Description (not to exceed four pages)
   1. Describe an understanding of the project and the intended outcomes.
   2. Referring to the scope of work describe how the required project elements will be developed and delivered.
   3. Outline the proposed planning process and a schedule for completion.
3. Company Description (not to exceed three pages)
   1. Brief history of the company that includes the date of establishment and examples of relevant prior work (electronic examples are accepted) and current customers of similar attributes to the DBP.
   2. Describe your experience and capacity to manage projects of the type, size and scope proposed.
4. Project Team (not to exceed three pages)
   1. A list of the project team and their professional profile, credentials, and relevant experience.
   2. Specific assignment of project team members.
5. References (not to exceed one pages)
   1. Provide three references specifically relating to downtown planning. Each must include the following information:
      1. Name of project and client
      2. Client contact person's name, title, phone number and email address
      3. Project start and completion dates
      4. Brief summary of project
6. Expenses and Timeline (not to exceed one page)
   1. Outline a basic expense estimate showing how project budget will be allocated. Also include timeline showing projects milestones.
7. Statements of Accuracy and Non-Discrimination (not to exceed one page — see Appendix B)

The DBP reserves the right to require the submittal of additional information that supplements or explains proposal materials.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

SCOPE OF WORK

The contents of the final 2018 Downtown Plan Update will be based upon the general structure and basic themes of the 2009 Downtown Plan to provide a continuity of planning elements.

Background Research and Analysis

The consultant is expected to complete a review of relevant planning and community development documents including, but not limited to, the ones listed above.

The consultant should become knowledgeable of the history, social and development patterns, culture, and key land use, development, and fiscal issues facing downtown Bozeman and the great Bozeman community.

Public Engagement

The consultant will coordinate with the Downtown Partnership to create and manage a website or webpage dedicated to the downtown plan update process.

Additional access to and involvement with the downtown plan update process may include but not be limited to the following platforms: public events, e-mail, direct mail, and traditional media.

The consultant will facilitate an efficient a multi-day "panel approach" stakeholder engagement and site assessment process that includes, but is not limited to:

• Downtown "site tour" and briefing with municipal and community leaders [1 day]
• Individual and small group interviews with primary stakeholders [1-2 days]
• Community and large group listening sessions [1-2 days]
• Consulting team work sessions preparing draft plan update [1-2 days]

This panel approach engagement week would span between four and seven days depending how the component days are overlapped.

The inspiration for this approach comes from the Urban Land Institute's advisory panel services.

This approach was used to develop the 2009 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan.

Identification of Opportunities, Challenges, and Guiding Principles

Based on consideration of the background analysis and public engagement, the consultant will inventory, identify and address key economic, urban design and land use opportunities and challenges. The consultant will also affirm and/or revise the guiding principles established in the 2009 Plan.

Development of Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

Building upon the project work already completed, the consultant will develop objectives and strategies to guide Downtown Bozeman for the next ten years as they relate to:

Regulations and Policies

Including, but not limited to: land use, unified development code, economic development, design guidelines.

Physical Elements

Including, but not limited to: urban design, infrastructure, public spaces,

Recommended Strategies

Including, but not limited to: public investments, redevelopment opportunities, public private partnerships, land use and tenant mix,

Implementation Timeline

A prioritized list of the critical 'next steps' to be initiated and/or accomplished in the next 3 years.

DELIVERABLES

2018 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan

It is expected that the completion of the required scope of work will result in an updated 2018 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan that builds upon the goals and objectives of previous and current downtown plans. In addition to the required analysis, the updated plan will include a variety of strategies to effectively meet current demands and guide future growth. The updated plan will conclude with a set of high priority "next steps" to be implemented within the next one to three years.

Public Presentations

In addition to the stakeholder and community engagement requirements, the consultant will be expected to perform a series of presentations of both the draft and final versions of the updated plan. Each series of presentations will be made to but not limited to the Downtown Partnership boards, the City Commission, and the general public.

SCHEDULE AND BUDGET

Schedule

This schedule includes a combination of date-specific deadlines and target date ranges for completion of each step. It is understood that some flexibility will be required with the targeted date ranges based upon consultant schedules, travel arrangements, and general calendar challenges.

Release of RFP — April 2, 2018

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals — April 27, 2018

Finalist interviews — May 7-11, 2018

Consultant Selection — May 14, 2018

Public and Stakeholder Meetings — June 2018

Draft Plan Preparation — June 2018

Draft Presentations and Review — July 2018

Final Plan Preparation — August 2018

Project Completion — September 2018

Budget

The total budget for the 2018 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan update process is $80,000.