I. THE PROJECT

A. DESCRIPTION

The City is seeking the services of a planning and design firm to complete a Civic Master Plan ("the Plan"). The highly illustrative document will be guided by a "community-wide" Design Charrette, and contain findings, recommendations, and policies derived from three geographically unique areas of the City (three Area or Sector Plans). The three Planning Areas or Sectors consist of:

1. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA (CRA). The CRA is centered on the City's new Town Square at the intersection of Highway 19 and Citrus Avenue, extending outward for nearly ½ mile in all directions.
2. THE KNIGHTS ADDITION COMMUNITY. This area is centered on the intersection of Highway 44 and NE 8^th Avenue, and extends for approximately 1/3 of a mile in all directions.
3. SUBURBAN RETAIL CENTER RETROFIT. This deliverable should identify three existing retail centers of differing scale from which to establish a redevelopment prototype.

B. COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

Crystal River, the gem of Florida's beautiful Nature Coast is a waterfront fishing village best characterized by its traditional main street, freshwater springs, and old Florida charm. Kings Bay, the body of water that anchors the City is a "first magnitude" spring system, providing 600 million gallons of freshwater a day, and serving as for the largest winter refuge for the Florida Manatee. In recent years these natural wonders have been discovered, creating a surge in tourism and recreational activity. The downtown area and waterfront are experiencing an urban renaissance, with new shops and restaurants opening daily. Plans are under way to:

1. develop a new "Riverwalk"
2. develop a new "Town Square"
3. develop a new linear park with splash pad (Town Square phase 2)
4. work with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to re-design NE 5^th Street (Highway 44), a "gateway" into the City.

These efforts are reflective of the City's commitment to promoting new places of character that are timeless. Private investors and local businesses are taking notice. Several new developments are planned or are under construction. It is an exciting time in Crystal River. However, the City lacks a strong vision for the future, specifically how best to integrate and connect new public and private spaces in a manner that reflects the character of the community and will be cherished for years to come.

C. PLAN OBJECTIVES

While it is highly likely that the recommendations and policies contained in the Plan will be implemented in other areas of the City (and possibly amended into the Comprehensive Plan), the primary focus of the Plan should be the three designated Areas or Sectors. This is especially true with Future Land Use and Transportation, two fundamental building blocks of the community in need of overhaul (at all scales). In both cases, a new paradigm, based on context and character is necessary to ensure harmony in the way that planning, engineering, and zoning address the public and private realm.

Items related to Future Land Use and Transportation that require special attention in the Plan include:

1. Urban Design / Placemaking. Refine and improve upon existing designs for new public infrastructure projects in downtown (Riverwalk, Town Square, and adjacent linear park with splash pad), establishing the appropriate scale, character and sense of interconnectivity.
2. Parking. Identify opportunities and policies that will implement best practices for "on-street", "consolidated", and "on-site" parking.
3. Stormwater. Identify opportunities and policies that will implement best practices for on-site and consolidated treatment.
4. Future Land Use. Transition existing "Future Land Use" categories into "Future Character Areas," by establishing a context-based framework that can be used to implement infrastructure and update zoning.
5. Streets. Use Future Character Areas to establish a context-based approach to streets. Identify opportunities to incrementally improve the existing street network, "right-size" FDOT thoroughfares, and possibly implement a "complete streets" policy. Assist the City as it works with FDOT (District 7) representatives to ensure implementation of the appropriate FDOT "context-based" classification as part of the re-design/resurfacing of Highway 44 and Highway 19.

II. CONSULTANT TEAMS

A. QUALIFIED TEAMS

1. Qualified consultants will be experienced in the practice of new urbanism, including a thorough understanding of "rural to urban" planning and associated changes to land patterns, form, infrastructure, economics, transportation, and stormwater management; as well as public engagement and charrette facilitation.
2. Work must exhibit a longstanding and successful ability to assess existing conditions, emerging trends, and future demands.
3. Sophisticated visioning, graphics, and imagery techniques are critical to conveying ideas and strategies; as is the ability to identify a variety of funding sources. The Plan will include an examination of current documents, incorporating relevant content with new materials into one, holistic, long-term, vision that positions the City to attract new investors, businesses, and increased public activity.

III. ADDITIONAL SERVICES

It is the intent of staff to use the illustrative plans, illustrations, findings, recommendations, policies and growth framework that comprise the adopted Civic Master Plan to write a new Land Development Code (LDC). The new ordinance will utilize a form-based approach. Additional "future" services may be requested of the selected team as part of this effort.

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTAL

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Crystal River Civic Master Plan can be found here. The requirements contained herein apply to all submittals made to the City of Crystal River by all prospective consultants.

A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Submittals shall be sealed and delivered to:

City Clerk's Office
c/o Mia Fink, City Clerk
City of Crystal River
123 NW Highway 19
Crystal River, Florida, 34428

2. All submittals must be received by Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 3:00 P.M. (EST).

V. EVALUATION

An Evaluation Committee – to be established by the City Manager – will identify the top consultant team from all submittals. All scores will be totaled, with the winning team announced on March 13, 2020. Negotiations will commence immediately thereafter.

PRE-SUBMITTAL QUESTIONS

Staff will accept questions via email through February 5^th at bherrmann@crystalriverfl.org.

All questions and answers will be provided to all submitting teams on February 10^th.