SR-410-008 (10)
F:\PCD\share\council\2004\Ped Extension
Council Meeting: June 22, 2004 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Award of Professional Service Agreement for the Design of the Pedestrian
Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate an
Agreement with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF) for design services for the
Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project, a pedestrian and
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streetscape project on 2 and 4Streets between Wilshire Boulevard and Colorado
Avenue, in the not-to-exceed amount of $483,000, including 10% contingency.
BACKGROUND
The Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project consists of eight blocks
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of pedestrian and streetscape improvements along 2 and 4 Street between Wilshire
Boulevard and Colorado Avenue. These improvements were identified as a third phase
in the Downtown Urban Design Plan adopted in 1997 and include new closely-spaced
pedestrian lighting to illuminate the sidewalks; replacement of every-other street tree;
and other streetscape amenities such as pavement treatment accents and possible
parkway landscaping. Crosswalks enhancements will be considered, particularly at the
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three 2 Street mid-block crosswalks. A public artist will participate in the design
process as part of the project team.
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The third phase is intended to further expand the pedestrian environment within the
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downtown area, encourage pedestrian circulation beyond the 3 Street Promenade and
improve the pedestrian experience for the patrons of the many transit lines that run
through downtown. Staff does not anticipate significant impediments to accessing the
businesses during the project construction. The assumed components will be reviewed
through a comprehensive outreach process involving stakeholder groups and the
community.
The consultant’s scope of services is intended to engage the design team throughout
the entire process from concept development through construction consultation.
Specific stages include vision and design concept; schematic concept design;
development of construction documents, bid package and cost estimates; and
construction consultation, including review of submittals.
DISCUSSION
The selection process to procure the design team followed Caltrans procedures, since
the project is funded by a federal grant managed by Caltrans. Ten proposals were
submitted in response to the RFQ; a selection committee comprised of seven City staff
representing four City departments and the Executive Director of the Bayside District
ranked the responsive proposals using criteria that were clearly stated in the RFP,
including: 1) Understanding and approach to the work; 2) Experience with similar kinds
of work; 3) Quality of staff for work to be done; 4) Capability of developing innovative or
advanced techniques; 5) Familiarity with State and Federal procedures; 6) Financial
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Responsibility and Cost Control; and 7) Demonstrated DBE intent and Affirmative Action
Practices.
A short-list of qualified teams was invited for interviews and the teams were ranked
again after the interviews, using the same criteria. The following five firms as the top-
ranked firms that were invited for interviews:
ahbe Landscape Architects
Amphion Environmental, Inc.
Gruen Associates
Wallace Roberts & Todd, Inc.
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership was selected as the top ranked firm based on the
quality of the staff; their experience with similar projects; proposed approach, including
the capability of developing an innovative design; addressing requirements such as
experience on federally funded projects and cost management; and the overall strength
of the proposed team. Sub-consultants include Pat Smith as the landscape architect,
Cliff Garten as the public artist, Katz, Okitsu for crosswalks and other high quality firms.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The project is funded with $2,169,000 of Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA)
grant dollars through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation (MTA) Call
For Projects and $600,000 of Proposition C Local Return funds. Crosswalk
enhancements will be funded with Phase III Crosswalk Improvement Funds.
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Uses of Funds:
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Contract $439,000
10% Contingency 44,000
$483,000
Sources of Funds:
C200464.589000 Pedestrian Extension – Transit Mall (MTA) $ 332,775
C200473.589000 Pedestrian Extension – Transit Mall (Prop C) $ 115,225
C010456.589000 Crosswalk Improvements $_ 35,000
Total $ 483,000
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract
with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership in an amount not to exceed $ 483,000 including
10% contingency, for design services for the Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown
Transit Mall Project.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning and Community Development
Department
Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director, Planning and Community Development
Department
Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management
Department
Tony Antich, City Engineer
Dave Britton, Principal Civil Engineer
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