SR-6D (43)
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EPWM AA RS SM S \sp 1655\staffrpt\cc1655 doc HAY 2 6 1998
Council Meeting May 26. 1998 Santa Monica, California
TO Mayor and City Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT Recommendation to Authorize City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a
ProfessIonal ServIces Agreement for the Design of the Transit Mall Project
Introduction
ThIS report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement In the amount of $626,394 with Amphlon
Environmental. Inc, for preparation of design and construction bidding documents for the
Transit Mall Project
Background
The City Council authorized a contract with Roma Design Group In January, 1996, to prepare
the Downtown Urban Design Plan The area IS bordered by Wilshire Boulevard on the north,
the Santa Monica Freeway on the south. the alley between Seventh Street and Lincoln
Boulevard on the east, and Ocean Avenue on the west The CIty Council approved the
conceptual Downtown Urban Design Plan and a schedule for the Implementation of the plan
In July. 1997
Phase One IS currently being Implemented It Includes restrrplng 4th Street to add parking on
the east Side of the street, restrlpmg 5t'l Street and Broadway to carry two-way traffic,
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modifying access to the Santa Monica Place parking structures at the southwest comer of 4th
Street and Broadway, Installing a controlled nght-turn from northbound Ocean Avenue to
eastbound Colorado Avenue, converting the Intersection at Ocean Avenue and Colorado
Avenue to an "all cross" Intersection, and modifying the traffic signals and timing to facIlitate
the new traffic flow
Phase Two will result In Transit Mall Improvements The key component of these
Improvements IS the creation of a downtown transit loop with transit pnonty lanes on the south
Side of Santa MOnica Boulevard and on the north Side of Broadway, between Ocean Avenue
and Fifth street The Sidewalks WIll be WIdened to 19 feet on Santa Monrca Boulevard, and to
18 feet on Broadway These Wider Sidewalks Will create a dlstmct "termmal" character In the
area of greatest pedestnan concentration Improvements also Include new street furniture,
lighting. and landscaping
Public art Integration IS a key characterrstlc of the project Pedestrian paving treatment and
creative use of light were proposed In conceptual form as art elements for the Urban DeSign
Plan
Consultant Selection Process
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for deSign teams comprised of a cIvil engineer,
architect/urban deSigner, and landscape architect was issued on November 1, 1997 The
RFQ was mailed to 85 consulting firms The City received five Statements of Qualification
(SOQ) In response A selection committee consisting of City staff reViewed and ranked the
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consultant qualifications The committee composition Included representatives from the
Englneenng DIvIsion of EnVironmental and Public Works Management Department,
Transportation Department. Planning DIvIsion and Parking and Traffic Engineering DIvIsion of
the Planning and Community Development Department, and the Cultural Affairs DIvIsion of
the Community and Cultural Services Department The selection committee short-listed four
(4) consultant teams These teams are Castro-Blanco Plsconen & ASSOCiates, Amphlon
EnVIronmental. Inc, ROMA DeSign Group, and Gruen ASSOCiates
A separate Jurred process was conducted In whIch four artists were short-listed by a selection
team from the Cultural Arts DIVIsIon These artIsts Included Robm Brailsford, B J KrIVanek,
Michael DaVIS. and Nobuho Nagasawa The short-listed teams of deSigners and artists
reViewed each others qualifications at a 'mixer' and subsequently formed teams These
teams submitted proposals on March 2, 1998, based upon a Request for Proposal (RFP)
Subsequently, IntervIews were conducted with the teams The selectron cnterla used to rank
the deslg n teams Included understanding of and approach to the task, expenence With Similar
kinds of work. qualifications of staff and potential capability of developing an Innovative and
creative deSign solution Amphlon EnVironmental Inc I and artist Robin Brailsford were
ranked first by the selection committee based on their qualifications, prevIous experience on
Similar projects. presentation. and speCifically Amphlon EnVironmental's extenSive expenence
In the deSign of transit malls
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Public Review Process and Project Schedule
Opportunities for public input will be provided throughout the Transit Mall design development
process The Steenng Committee. compnsed of three Council members and two Planmng
CommiSSioners. will continue to review the project at key milestones and public workshops
will be held In order to provide the public With opportunities to shape the final deSign of the
transit mall The deSign consultant wIll meet With the Steenng CommIttee to diSCUSS the
process and schedule The preliminary deSign will also be revIewed by key boards,
commissions and the City Council
It IS antIcIpated that the prelImInary deSIgn WIll be presented to the CIty CouncIl for approval
In October. 1998 The final deSign IS expected to be completed In June, 1999 Subsequently,
the project Will be advertised for bidding
Budget/Financial AnalYSIS
FUNDS REQUIRED
Contract $626,394
Contingency $ 98,606
TOTAL $725,000
Funds In the amount of $725,000 are available In CIP account number 41-750-657-20098-
8900-99458. Downtown TranSit Mall
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Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council
1 Authorize City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement In
an amount not to exceed $626,394 with Amphlon Environmental, Inc, for preparation
of design and construction bidding documents for the Transit Mall Project
2 Authorize the City EngIneer to Issue any necessary change orders not to exceed
598.606 to complete additional work m conformance with the Administrative Instructions
on Change Orders
Prepared by Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental & Public Works Management
Anthony Antlch, P E , City Engineer
John Catoe, Director of Transportation
Suzanne Frrck, Director of Plannmg & Community Development
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