Please visit the City's website at WWW.CITYOFLADUE-MO.GOV for the full text of the RFQ.

Community Overview:

The City of Ladue encompasses 8.5 square miles and is located in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, about 9 miles from downtown St. Louis. Ladue began as a quiet rural area with large country estates – a refuge from big city living – and has grown through the years to a population of about 8,600 residents. Ladue's first city plan, as well as the City's first zoning map, were intended to protect Ladue's "spacious residential character," and the city prides itself on having done just that; by and large, the zoning district boundaries that were established when Ladue initially incorporated, as well as additional areas that were annexed in the 1940s, have changed remarkably little. The vast majority of the City is low-density single-family residential with less than 5% of the land zoned for commercial or industrial uses.

Much of the City of Ladue has had nearly the same land use for over 50 years and this is not anticipated to change significantly over the next few years. In general, the City is not facing significant development pressures, but would like to update the City's plan with a strategic focus on how to maintain the positive aspects of the City while determining how to improve any weaknesses.

Comprehensive Plan Update:

There have been only minor changes to the City of Ladue during the past 12 years since the most recent Comprehensive Plan was created. The planning process should include a review of the current Comprehensive Plan to determine areas where updates are warranted. The process should also include a review of the information and strategies included in current and past planning documents, as well as projects by outside agencies that might affect Ladue, such as upcoming MODOT or St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District projects, in order to evaluate potential effects. Updated maps and graphics are also expected.

In addition, the City would like to add more information to the plan regarding the following issues:

Bikeability/Walkability

The City has worked in recent years to install more sidewalks along public streets, but walkability and bikeability is an issue that needs attention. The location of educational institutions will be an important factor to consider when evaluating this issue. In addition, there is a currently a multi-use trail that passes through the northeast corner of Ladue. Additional locations could be explored for potential trail opportunities, including an abandoned railroad right-of-way that traverses the City.

Development of the Rock Hill Quarry Property

While the physical layout of the City is not expected to change much, there is a property in the southeast corner of the property where a large industrial property is anticipated to be developed into commercial and residential uses during the next ten years. The new plan should include recommendations to ensure that the development of this area enhances the community.

Infill Housing

Although land use is expected to remain the same in most areas, there are neighborhoods where revitalization may be warranted. Some of the higher density subdivisions in Ladue have aging housing stock, but land values are steadily increasing due to a number of factors such as good location and high-quality schools. Many neighborhoods have been undergoing significant changes from tear downs and redevelopment and this will likely continue in these and other neighborhoods. This has the potential to be beneficial, but could also create problems, such as overbuilt lots and a lack of community cohesion. The City would like to identify residential areas with challenges, such as reduced home values or outdated designs, and develop a strategy to help guide revitalization efforts toward the best possible outcome. Conversely, in areas with older, high-quality architecture, the City may be interested in some strategies to encourage renovations and additions to existing structures, rather than demolition.

Improvements in Commercial Districts

The City's main retail area is a strip of shops along Clayton Road, known as the Clayton Road Business District. This area includes a nice mix of retail, restaurants, and services but it lacks cohesion and walkability. Most of the buildings in this commercial area were built during the 1950s and 60s and have little to no landscaping or pedestrian amenities. This area could benefit from place-making strategies to enhance the experience of shoppers. Ladue's other major commercial area is in the far northeastern portion of the City and it, too, is lacking in landscaping and pedestrian amenities. Due to its proximity to an interstate and an electrical substation, vehicular access and visibility are also concerns in this area. The City would like to be aware of vacant or underutilized commercial property in order to potentially determine strategies to improve their viability.

Landscaping and Natural Resources

Ladue's mature trees are part of the identity of the City. The City has been requiring permits for tree removal on private property and also maintains some trees and landscaping on city-owned property. The City would like to determine additional strategies to preserve our tree canopy, which lies primarily on private property.

City Services and Amenities

In terms of City amenities, Ladue's Fire department, Police department, and Public Works Department provide excellent services to residents. The City lies within the Ladue School District which also encompasses portions of surrounding municipalities. In addition, the City includes several churches, private clubs, and private schools, as well as a single public park. The City has not historically provided many public services besides the basics. For instance, private subdivisions are generally responsible for maintenance of their own roadways and other amenities within their subdivisions. In addition, the City does not provide a recreation center for residents or services for seniors. While utility service is adequate in most respects, cellular phone service can be spotty in certain areas. In general, residents have become accustomed to using private services or facilities outside of Ladue for some of their needs. There are certain trade-offs inherent in maintaining strict zoning requirements in the City. It would be worthwhile to determine whether residents are happy with the current levels of service in the City with the understanding that additional public services are likely to come with side effects, such as higher taxes and NIMBY-type structures, including cell towers and other potentially undesirable impacts.

Visioning and Strategic Planning:

The City of Ladue is not expecting significant changes in terms of growth and development in the foreseeable future and, therefore, land use, zoning, and the transportation network issues do not need to be the focus of this planning process. The City would like the emphasis of this plan to be on identifying a vision and the guiding principles for the City.

Process and Timeline for Selection

Deadline for RFQ Submittal – November 21, 2018

Submittals must be received by 12pm (noon) on November 21, 2018. Packages should be addressed as follows:

City of Ladue
9345 Clayton Road
Ladue, MO 63124
Attn: Andrea Sukanek

Anticipated Schedule:

Review and Selection of Candidates – November 26 – December 14, 2018

Approval and Recommendation by the Zoning and Planning Commission – December 19, 2018

Approval of Contract by City Council – January 22, 2018

Submittal Requirements

Submittals should be no more than 20 pages, not including resumes. The City requests that each respondent submit a digital copy and 3 paper copies of the above qualification submittal package to be received no later than November 21, 2018.

• Name of firm with primary contact person, address, phone number, and email address
• Letter of Interest stating the consultant's interest in the project and ability to provide the required services
• Additional information about the firm including form of organization (corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.), website address, number of years in business, range of professional services, office locations, and the composition of the planning team
• Provide a list of current active projects, including the name, type of project, location, firm's role in the project and status of the project
• Provide a description of at least 3, but no more than 5 representative completed projects. Descriptions should contain the following:
  • Location of project
  • Client
  • Dates of involvement
  • Project description including illustrative materials and a written description of why this example is relevant to the Ladue planning project
  • Specific services performed and approximate cost
• List at least three innovative public engagement activities utilized in past projects
• Titles and Qualifications of individuals assigned to the project. This should include the roles of each team member and their experiences and roles with previous projects. A resume for each key team member should also be attached
• Statement describing familiarity with and knowledge of the area in and around the City of Ladue
• Statement (not to exceed one page) outlining the philosophy of the team in approaching city planning projects and how the firm is prepared and qualified to provide the best possible outcome
• Statement of availability of the key personnel to undertake the project and anticipated approximate time frame
• Typical time frame of previous planning projects
• Statement regarding coordination with City staff, including expectations for assistance and typical communications

Contact Information

Questions regarding this Request for Qualifications shall be sent in writing by electronic mail to:

Andrea Sukanek
City Planner – Ladue, MO
asukanek@cityofladue-mo.gov

Please provide your email address to Andrea Sukanek if your firm wishes to receive email updates containing copies of answers to questions that substantially clarify the RFQ.

Please visit the City's website at WWW.CITYOFLADUE-MO.GOV for the full text of the RFQ.