Request for Qualifications for Municipal Downtown Neighborhood Plan

Introduction:

The Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Urban Land Institute (NWA ULI) is seeking statements of qualifications from consulting firms with expertise in urban planning to assist NWA ULI with the development of a Municipal Downtown Neighborhood Plan in the City of Cave Springs, AR.

Summary:

The goal of the plan is to provide a vision and strategy for the revitalization and redevelopment of the downtown area. The plan will include a detailed analysis of the current conditions and potential opportunities for growth and development, as well as recommendations for specific initiatives to be implemented over the next 5-10 years.

It is anticipated the development of this plan will include the following components:

1. An analysis of the current conditions in the downtown area, including land use patterns, mobility infrastructure, public spaces, historic resources, and economic activity.
2. Development of a vision for the downtown area that builds on its strengths, addresses its weaknesses, and responds to the needs and desires of the community.
3. Identification of specific initiatives to be implemented over the next 5-10 years to achieve the vision, including:
   • recommendations for changes to land use regulations and development regulations specific to the downtown area
   • creation or enhancement of public spaces
   • recommendations for design standards aligned with the historic character of the downtown neighborhood area

1. Integration of the City Engineer's recommendations regarding a future parking plan for the downtown neighborhood area as well as stormwater management approach for the downtown neighborhood area.
2. Collaboration with the City Engineer to develop a more granular plan for the streetscape/street sections and active transportation connectivity within the downtown neighborhood area.
3. Collaboration with NWA ULI and city administration to engage the community in the planning process through a series of public meetings, workshops, and other outreach efforts.
4. A written plan that summarizes the analysis, vision, and recommendations, and includes illustrations, maps, and other visual aids to convey the key concepts.

Statement of Qualifications Response Requirements:

The response should include the following information:

1. A description of the firm's experience and expertise in urban planning and experience in neighborhood revitalization and redevelopment; including examples of 1-5 relevant projects.
2. A statement of the firm's general approach to municipal neighborhood planning projects. The statement should be no more than three pages in length.
3. At least three references, including contact information for previous clients who can provide information on the firm's performance.

Submission of Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Response:

1. SOQs should be submitted to NWA ULI no later than 5:00 pm, July 17, 2023.
2. Responses shall be submitted in electronic format (PDF). Responses shall be addressed to NWA ULI (c/o Megan Brown) and emailed to megan.brown@uli.org. The subject line of the email should be clearly marked "RFQ for Municipal Facility Planning."

Evaluation Criteria:

Responses will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience and expertise in municipal urban planning.
2. The Firm's general approach to municipal neighborhood planning projects and the qualifications of the key personnel who will be working on the project.
3. The Firm's familiarity with Northwest Arkansas.

NWA ULI reserves the right to waive any irregularities in the response process, and to accept the response that best meets the needs of NWA ULI for this project.

Contact:

For questions or additional information, please contact Megan Brown at megan.brown@uli.org or (312) 607-5622.