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sr-062811-3x (2)City 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 2 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. 3 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 4 • 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, 5 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 -~~ Rod Gould City Manager 6 Reference Contract Nos. 9393 (CCS) and 9394 (ccs)