sr-062811-3xCity Council Meeting: June 28, 2011
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Acting Director of Planning & Community Development
Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works
Subject: Design and Environmental Consulting Service Contracts for Colorado
Avenue Esplanade and Downtown Light Rail Station Plaza
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Peter
Walker and Partners Landscape Architecture (Peter Walker and Partners) for
design, construction document preparation and construction administration
services of the. Colorado Esplanade Project for an amount not to exceed
$2,200,000 including a 10% contingency; and,
2) Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Atkins
Company for environmental consulting services associated with the Colorado
Esplanade Project in an amount not to exceed $236,235.
Executive Summary
On May 24, 2011, the Council and Agency appropriated $12.4 million in redevelopment
funds to carry out the Colorado Esplanade Project. The Colorado Esplanade will create
an inviting gateway and iconic space which connects the future Light Rail Station and
the Pier while .integrating the Downtown, the Civic Center, the Beach, and numerous
public and private projects. The project supports the achievement of the RDA Five-Year
Implementation Plan and implementation of the City's adopted Land Use and
Circulation Element vision for Downtown. Following a competitive request for
qualifications and interview process that included an interdepartmental staff selection
committee, staff recommends Peter Walker and Partners to undertake the design and
construction bid document preparation in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million. Staff
recommends the Atkins Company to perform the environmental clearance
documentation and analysis for the project in an amount not to exceed $236,235.
Background
On November 17, 2009, the Redevelopment Agency adopted its Five-Year
Implementation Plan for the period of FY 2009-10 through FY 2013-14, with established
goals to support affordable housing, disaster prevention and mitigation, community
revitalization, commercial revitalization, and institutional revitalization. In particular, the
objectives for community and commercial revitalization include:
Improving Santa Monica's commercial corridors and boulevards with a focus on
streetscape improvements, parking, and transportation enhancements; acid
• Provide support for transit-oriented development and facilitate transit connections
as envisioned by the LUCE (Land Use and Circulation Element)
On July 6, 2010 the City Council adopted the Land Use and Circulation Element
(LUCE), a comprehensive policy document to guide the vision and future direction of the
City. The Colorado Esplanade project is anticipated in the LUCE as part of a vibrant
gateway to the Downtown District. Particularly,. Goals D2 through D6 call for creating a
memorable arrival experience into Downtown with high-quality pedestrian and bicycle
connections, and improving connectivity with the Civic Center, Beach, and Pier.
On August 10, 2010, the Redevelopment Agency and City authorized Cooperation
Agreement No. 9267 (CCS/RAS) and adopted resolutiohs 10519 (CCS) and 527 (RAS)
to ensure timely implementation and completion of the Agency's Five-Year
Implementation Projects. Under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the City
agreed to undertake the implementation of the Agency's projects, including the Expo
Green Streets and Pathways project. The Colorado Esplanade Project is a part of this
project.
Discussion
The Colorado Esplanade Project (the Project) would create a newly designed
promenade and plaza for pedestrians and bicyclists on Colorado Avenue, providing a
seamless connection from the Expo Light Rail station to Ocean Avenue and the Pier,
the Main Street Bridge, Downtown and adjacent circulation networks. It would improve
the interface between vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists and upgrade the intersections
with 4~h Street, Main/2"d Street and Ocean Avenue. The Project would expand the
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sidewalk and add bicycle facilities to accommodate anticipated future demand created
by the Light Rail Station, and the Bicycle Station in Parking Structure 8, while continuing
to provide vehicle lanes and improving access to parking facilities. The project would
create an iconic gateway to Santa Monica and create quality transition areas for people
as envisioned in Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE).
In accordance with Cooperation Agreement No. 9267, the implementation of the
projects must comply with the applicable federal, state and local laws, including
compliance with environmental law. The consultant services described in this staff
report are essential to the implementation of the Colorado Esplanade Project and
compliance with existing laws.
Design Services
In December 2009, afive-team shortlist was created for design services related to the
integration of the Expo Light Rail along Colorado Avenue based on a request for
qualifications issued October 27, 2009 and a subsequent interdepartmental review and
interview process. The design services scope was separated into two parts, with the
first part covering the development of standards and. criteria for the segment from 17th
Street to 4th Street, and a second part covering the Colorado Esplanade. The first
Request for Proposals (RFP) was sent out to the shortlist December 24, 2009 and a
contract was awarded to Cityworks/Pat Smith on February 9, 2010 following an
interdepartmental review and evaluation of submitted proposals. This resulted in
creation of the Light Rail Integration
recommendations for integrated light rail,
Criteria document which established
vehicle lanes, on-street parking, and
pedestrian facilities in the project area.
The second RFP was issued to the short list on May 19, 2011 for the remaining project
scope for the Colorado Esplanade, emphasizing the iconic potential of the resulting
public space and opportunity for integrating circulation. Four of the five shortlisted teams
submitted proposals including Olin Associates, Peter Walker and Partners, Koning
Eizenberg Architecture, and Ken Smith Landscape Architect. Proposals were reviewed
by an interdepartmental staff selection committee and each team was interviewed.
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Preliminary fee estimates, ranged from $1.5 to $1.9 million but did not include
contingencies or reimbursable expenses. Evaluation of the submitted materials was
based on the following selection criteria, which were clearly communicated in the
distributed RFP:
• Creativity; and Ability of the team to deliver a project of the highest caliber
design.
• Experience in successfully designing and delivering streetscape projects and
public spaces of the highest quality.
• Experience and capability in successfully designing and delivering intermodal
(bike, pedestrian, roadway) projects.
• Understanding of the .issues, project goals and approach, and demonstrated
ability to innovatively engage stakeholders and communities for .effective
outcomes.
• Evidence of a productive team structure and dynamic and demonstrated
qualifications of the team.
• Understanding of the project complexity, and ability of the team to successfully
complete the full scope of work on time and within budget.
• A design philosophy, approach and working style that is consistent with Santa
Monica's commitment to creating unique and community-responsive public
places, and demonstrated commitment to sustainability and green building
standards.
Based on the above criteria, experience, project approach and competitive cost, Peter
Walker Partners is recommended to develop the design of the project and prepare
construction documents, and contingent on environmental review, to provide design
support during construction of the project. The scope of design services as proposed by
Peter Walker and Partners is for a total fee (including contingencies and reimbursable
expenses) not to exceed $2,200,000.
The Program and Concept Design for the Project include:
• Extensive place-making and way-finding through public art, landscaping,
paving, lighting, signals and signage
Landscaped streetscapes and upgraded sidewalk and roadway paving
along Colorado Avenue and Ocean Avenue
• Circulation modifications including lane reconfigurations and addressing
driveway access needs and added bicycle lanes
• Pedestrian access improvements and enhanced sidewalks
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• Crosswalks and refuges along Ocean Avenue; pedestrian improvements
and street modifications to the entrance to the Pier Bridge
• Integrated design of the Colorado Avenue triangle at Main Street,
including widened .sidewalks, landscaping, and screening from the
freeway
• Main Street Bridge sidewalk improvements
• Urban design interface with adjacent properties
• Concept design and access investigations for the Downtown Station
Pedestrian Plaza
• Hardscape and landscape design for two station entrances and plaza
• Location of major plaza features.
• Bike facilities and site furnishings
• Vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle circulation on and around the station site
connecting the station to Colorado Avenue, 4th Street, and 5th Streef and
to the surrounding mixed-use environment.
Peter Walker and Partners is currently working on the National September 11 Memorial
in New York City and the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco. Representative work
includes Point Wells Masterplan and Streetscape in Seattle Washington, Apple Plaza
and Streetscape in Shanghai China, Beverly Hilton Site design and Streetscape,
Beverly Hills California, and Tanner Fountain at Harvard University.
Environmental Consulting Services
The Planning and Community Development Department solicits environmental
consultants through an RFO process every five years, developing. a list of qualified firms
from respondents. In May, 2011, a Request for Proposals was sent out to four of the
currently qualified firms on the City's list of environmental consultants. Three proposals
were received. Following a review by the Strategic and Transportation Planning team,
Atkins (formerly PBS&J) is recommended to provide environmental consulting services
for the. Project based on their in-depth .knowledge of CEQA/NEPA and relevant
experience in preparing environmental documentation for the City of Santa Monica, The
firm has worked. on a number of environmental clearance projects in the City including
the LUCE EIR. The firm's budget was in the mid-range of submitted proposals.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to Peter Walker and Partners is a not to exceed amount of
$2,200,000 (including contingencies); funds are available in account 0177040.589000,
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Colorado Esplanade. The contract to be awarded to Atkins is $236,235; funds are
available in account 0170772.589000, Civic Center Planning and Design.
Prepared by: Rachel Kwok, Environmental Planner
Joanna Hankamer, Senior Planner
Eric Bailey, Civil Engineer
Sarah Lejeune, Principal Planner
Forwarded to Council:
Approved:
David Martin
Acting Director, Planning & Community
Development
~ ~ ~
fv~artin Pastucha
Director, Public Works
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Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Contract Nos.
9393 (CCS) and 9394
(ccs)