[Consultantservices] RFQ: Town of Queenstown, Maryland - posted on 5/29/08 @ 8:57 a.m.

[Jeri Parish]

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Economic Revitalization/Development Strategy 
The Town of Queenstown, Maryland 
Submittal Deadline: June 16, 2008
The Town of Queenstown is requesting qualifications for consultants for services to produce an Economic Revitalization/Development Strategy for the downtown area and the Town's projected growth areas.
Community and Project Information
The Town of Queenstown is located at the junction of two of the region's major highways. It has waterfront on both Little Queenstown Creek and the Chester River. Its planning area also includes the upper headwaters of the Wye River's watershed.
The Town has a population of over 600 and encompasses approximately 985 acres, roughly 785 of which are associated with a golf course/resort development.
Queenstown still has its attractive older residential neighborhoods and a few newer ones but is not the same vibrant small town of a few decades past. A changing economy and improved highway access have dramatically changed the appearance and function of the Town. The focus of commercial development has shifted away from serving local needs at the Town Center and towards serving the tourism market along the two major highways, Routes 50 and 301. As such the Town Center is not the economic and social hub it once was and strip commercial development has grown along the Town's perimeter.
Most of the rural lands surrounding the Town still remain undeveloped although several scattered small-scale residential subdivisions have been developed in the last twenty to thirty years.
The Town is designated as a growth area by the County Plan, and the updated Queenstown Community Plan includes a vision for growth that was developed by the Town Planning Commission through a series of visioning workshops with the community.
The Town's updated Community Plan provides a shared vision for our future development. We are now in the process of implementing the recommendations from the Plan to include an Economic Revitalization/Development Strategy for the downtown area and projected growth areas.
Scope of Services
This project is a study of the Town Center area and the commercial growth areas contained in the Community Plan. The Revitalization Component will suggest solutions to existing land use and economic development issues within the downtown area. The Development Component will assess the growth areas proposed for commercial use in the Community Plan, and create goals, land use proposals, and design concepts for the commercial portions of these properties. Both components will include the formulation of an action strategy for implementing its recommendations. This study will serve as a blueprint for future action.
The goals and objectives of the project are to:
*	Define the character, size and design of commercial growth areas and how they support a mixed use strategy that is pedestrian friendly. 
*	Define the desired character of the Town Center and commercial growth areas. 
*	Define what types of businesses/amenities we want to attract people into downtown and into the commercial growth areas. 
*	Provide appropriate economic development/revitalization tools and an overall strategy to guide their use. 
*	Incorporate community input in satisfying the above objectives. 
The scope of services to be provided by the consultant shall include, but not to be limited to, the elements defined in this RFQ. This is a guide to prospective consultants and consultant creativity and ideas on approaches to the study will be considered. The Town expects a product tailored to the specific needs and unique circumstances of the Town of Queenstown. Becoming familiar with the Town's updated Community Plan will be important for efficiency and optimum success.
RFQ SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS To be considered responsive to this RFQ, Respondents shall submit four (4) copies of the following information in bound document form and one (1) unbound copy suitable for reproduction. In lieu of the unbound copy a CD may be provided with the information in either MS Word or pdf format.
Format Qualification submissions should be organized in an 8-1/2" X 11" format with tabbed sections corresponding to the following submission requirements.
Identify the entity that would contract with the Town, including the name(s), address, telephone number and e-mail addresses and fax numbers of the person(s) to whom correspondence should be directed.
*	Name of the principal in charge. 
*	Include résumés of key individuals proposed to be involved in this project. 
*	Identify experience and qualifications of the firm or individuals in performing similar work over the past five (5) years. 
*	Describe the experience and qualifications of the key project staff and subcontractors (if applicable), related to the proposed functions they would perform. 
*	Briefly state why you are interested in performing this work and your understanding of the economic market in our area. 
*	Provide examples of your success in turning failed town centers into vibrant, pedestrian friendly, economically successful enterprises. 
*	Supply names, addresses and telephone numbers of four (4) knowledgeable client representatives. The Town will verify that the Respondent has experience and a history of fulfilling requirements of projects in a timely and professional manner. 
SUBMISSION DEADLINES All Qualifications Statements must be received by mail or hand-delivered no later than 3:00 P.M. on Monday, June 16, 2008.
Submit Responses to:
Town of Queenstown
Attn: Town Clerk
P.O. Box 4
Queenstown, MD 21658
A copy of the updated Draft Community Plan may be obtained by contacting the Town Office at 410-827-7646, and if you have questions, please contact the Town Clerk, Amy Moore, at the same number.


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



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