SR-410-001 (32)
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Council Meeting: 12/09/86
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Santa Monica, California
TO: The Mayor and city Council
FROM: city Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the ci ty Manager to
Negotiate and Execute a Contract for Architectural and
Engineering Services to Design Improvements for the
Third Street Mall area.
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that city Council authorize the city
Manager to negotiate and execute a contract wi th ROMA DESIGN
GROUP for architectural and engineering services to design
improvements for the Third Street Mall area. The report includes
a brief background summary, an outline of the procedure used to
select the architects, a discussion of the proposed scope of
services, and a fiscal impact analysis.
BACKGROUND
On August 12, 1986, the City Council adopted the Third Street
Mall Specific Plan, which was prepared in cooperation with the
Third Street Development Corporation (TSDC). The Specific Plan
recommends revitalizing the Mall area by upgrading and expanding
the publ ic parking structures in the area, reconstructing and
improving the Mall and implementing design standards, an
operation and maintenance program, and a financing program.
On November 11, 1986, the City Council appropriated funds
received from the sale of certificates of Participation for the
design and construction of public improvements in the Third
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street Mall common area and circulation improvements in the
surrounding area. The Mall Improvement Project includes
rebuilding the Mall right-of-way, improving adjacent alleys,
improving Arizona Avenue to better serve as a connection with
Palisades Park, and connecting the parking structures with the
Mall.
SELECTION OF ARCHITECT FOR MALL IMPROVEMENTS
To solicit proposals from a broad range of architectural firms,
the Community and Economic Development Department prepared a
Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP was prepared in cooperation
with Third street Development Corporation (TSDC) staff and
contained a request for services aimed at developing a detailed
architectural and engineering design for the Third street Mall
Project Area. Seven basic work elements were identified in the
RFP in order to achieve this:
A. Pre-design Services
B. Design Development Services
C. Development of Construction Contract documents
D. Construction Administration
E. Participation in Public Meetings/Workshops
F. Evaluation Services
The RFP was issued on September 11, 1986 and was sent to over 100
firms. On October 17, 1986, the City received 20 proposals.
A Selection Committee was established that represented a cross-
section of groups interested in the Mall improvement proj ect.
The Committee was comprised of staff of Community and Economic
Development and General Services Departments, TSDC Board members
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and staff, representatives from the Mall Property Owners and
Merchants Associations, and a consultant to the Committee from
the Denver Partnership, Inc. The Committee reviewed all
proposals and interviewed eight of the respondents on November 17
and 18, 1986. The criteria for selection included understanding
of and approach to tasks, experience of the firm with similar
improvement projects, budget, and qualifications of staff.
After interviewing the eight firms, the Selection Committee
identified three firms to be called back for a more in-depth
review of their qualifications on November 25, 1986. Upon
completion of the final interviews, the Selection Committee
determined that the design team headed by ROMA DESIGN GROUP was
the most qualified team to undertake this project. ROMA DESIGN
GROUP and their sub-consultant team of Halcyon Ltd. (a
nationally-recognized real estate advisory firm specializing in
downtown retail planning, programming and development), Beck and
Graboski (Graphic Design and Image) and Jaykim Engineers Inc.
(structural and civil Engineering), have distinguished themselves
as designers of special places in downtown settings, and have
extensive experience in addressing issues such as improving
public open space and streetscape, commercial revitalization,
creating quality retail and tourist-intensive zones, and adaptive
reuse of historically and architecturally valuable buildings.
Together, the ROMA team comprises an exceptionally qualified team
with specialized expertise in environmental design and commercial
revitalization, and the technical capability to complete design,
construction drawings and construction administration on time and
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within budget. Its personnel is highly qualified and the
responses to the City's various reference checks were all
positive. All members of the Selection Committee are pleased
with the team and confident it will meet the City's expectations.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The design and construction of improvements for the Third Street
Mall common area will satisfy the public improvement/urban design
guidelines set forth in the recently adopted Third Street Mall
Specific Plan. Improvement features to be designed by the
consultant include Mall signage and graphics, theme colors,
landscaping, street furniture, paving, lighting, retailing
pavilions, alley improvements, and Mall entry elements.
Additionally, the design team will focus on reducing the
discontinuity between blocks of the Mall through cross street
intersection improvements.
The design team is required to participate in public workshops
during the Design Development phase of the project in order to
receive community input and comments on the preparation of design
alternatives. The design team will also participate in numerous
meetings with city boards and commissions, Mall area interest
groups, and others.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
Funds have been appropriated from the proceeds from the sale of
certificates of Participation in account number
01-720-263-000-921 (Mall Improvement Project), in the amount of
$6,067,398 for the purpose of design and construction of public
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improvements in the Third street Mall common area and circulation
improvements in the surrounding area. This contract for design
services shall not exceed $450,000 of that amount. The remaining
$5,617,398 will be used for construction, contingencies and
construction management services.
RECOMMENDATION
staff recommends that the Council authorize the city Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract with ROMA DESIGN GROUP for
architectural and engineering services to design improvements for
the Third street Mall in an amount not to exceed $450,000.
Prepared by: Darrell George
Senior Administrative Analyst
Economic Development Division
Community and Economic Development Department
srmallim
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