[Consultantservices] RFP: North Omaha Development Project - Posted 6/23/08 @ 9:24 a.m.

[Jeri Parish]

The AICP Commission requests that entities soliciting planning
consultants follow a two-part RFQ/RFP selection procedure.  Here's the
link to read a description of such a two-part process in PAS Report 443,
Selecting and Retaining a Planning Consultant: RFPs, RFQs, Contracts,
and Project Management, by Eric Damian Kelly, FAICP. 
http://www.planning.org/consultant/choose.htm

Research, Project Development and Coordination
North Omaha Development Project, Omaha, Nebraska
Submittal Deadline: July 25, 2008
Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC), on behalf of the Alliance
for Building Communities (ABC), is seeking proposals from qualified,
multi-disciplinary consultant(s) or consulting teams for professional
planning and design services, to include consultation during
implementation phase(s) of site specific projects resulting from the
study described below.
Project Overview
Within, and building upon, the framework of the study completed in
October 2007 entitled A Strategy for Community Investment (the "Study"),
prepared for the North Omaha Development Project (NODP) by RDG Planning
& Design, Robert Peters Company, Economic Research Associates, Alex
Garvin & Associates, and AHL:
http://www.omahachamber.org/pdf/ProjectNorthO/NODP_Full_Document-LOWRes.
pdf.
Consultant(s) will:
*	develop a comprehensive, 3-D plan view, land use inventory/data
base/map (with zoning overlay) of real property in the overall project
area; 
*	via facilitation of a public process of neighborhood "design,
density and destination" Charrettes, identify/recommend site specific
projects or community focal points, consistent with the culture, themes
and uses identified in the public process for the five opportunity nodes
previously identified within the overall project area (see Scope of
Work); 
*	embrace, integrate into the process, and collaborate with local
entrepreneurs, developers, consultants, neighborhood associations,
business groups and those
others currently invested and participating in North Omaha; 
*	participate and provide consultation services during
construction and implementation of the identified projects. 
Project Area
For much of its history, the largely African-American populated North
Omaha area has suffered from disinvestment, racism, distrust and
division. The overall project study area is bounded by 16th Street on
the east, Sorensen Parkway and Storz Expressway on the north, Cuming
Street on the south, and 52nd Street on the west in the City of Omaha,
NE. This area is proximate to the rapidly and dynamically revitalizing
urban core of north downtown Omaha.
The Nodes: (refer to the Study)
*	(1st focus area) "Pleasant View" area and surrounds ( N of
Hamilton, S of Lake,W of Hwy 75, E of 33rd ) 
*	The 16th Street Corridor 
*	30th and Ames/Metro South. 
*	Adams Park. 
*	The 24th Street Corridor 
Scope of Work
Recommend five (5) or more iconic development projects, identifying high
density, mixed and affordable income residential uses (both
homeownership and rental), as well as retail, institutional/educational
and manufacturing (jobs) uses or opportunities. Proposed development
projects will be evaluated on the basis of Design, Density and
Destination. All projects proposed must have a transformational impact
on the neighborhoods, dramatically improving the quality of life in the
area and act as powerful catalysts/stimulants for increasing
public/private investment leading to long term sustainable development.
Design "What do we want our community to look like when we're done?"
Design is about community character and ensuring the integrity of the
community's existing character is maintained through design that is
consistent with the existing character of the neighborhood. Design
incorporates all the details of development, elevations, green homes and
more. Specific topics include, but are not limited to:
*	Work with developers during design stage to incorporate the
character of North Omaha into the development 
*	Evaluate strategies for energy efficiency Determine
accessibility needs in North Omaha housing 
*	Examine green building strategies 
*	Work with the city and EPA to determine lead remediation
strategies 
The consultant(s) will develop and detail a design theme for each of the
five opportunity nodes that is consistent with Omaha By Design's "Urban
Design Element and Land Use Amendment". The design theme should be a
unifying component that creates an emphasis and identifiable sense of
neighborhood for each area. (See the following website
http://www.omahabydesign.org/Urban_Design_Element/Urban_Design_Element_M
ain.html ).
Density "Density ensures sustainability"
Density is about production, the "critical mass" of housing needed to
support services such as transportation, retail, etc. Specific topics
include, but are not imited to:
*	Determine the required density to support services 
*	Identify the appropriate density for housing in specific parts
of North Omaha (the five nodes) 
*	Evaluate areas where increasing density will correspond with
increased quality of life for the residents (people and businesses) in
that area 
*	Stimulate the production of housing for all income groups 
Destination "Destination is about an environment that is a pleasant,
healthy, and desirable area in which to live."
Working in step with density, determine the ideal locations for services
that add to the value of a neighborhood (ex. grocery store,
transportation, etc). What services are missing in an existing area?
Specific topics include, but are not limited to:
*	Identifying missing services and resources in the community 
*	Education 
*	Recreation 
*	Health Care 
*	Parks 
*	Transportation 
All applicants are required to submit a proposed staffing plan. The plan
must include qualified consultant participation with ethnicity
representative of the study area. 
OEDC reserves the right to reject all submissions and/or accept one or
more submissions in its sole discretion.
This project (study) will be completed under the general auspices and
coordination of Mr. Ted Simpson at the direction of the project steering
committee. Responses to this request are due by 5pm, CDT, on July 25,
2008. All proposals shall be submitted electronically entitled "NODP
Proposal" to Ted Simpson at ted.simpson at nifa.org. (P) 402-898-2503


Jeri Parish
Advertising Manager
Planning Magazine
312-786-6704
Fax: 312-431-9985
jparish at planning.org



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