HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #12 a. Economic Development and Mater Planning Program - RFQ for Planning Services for Downtown Redevelopment 4'!
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AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: February 17, 2015
Item # I
Reviewed By:
Contact Name: Craig Shadrix, ACM Department Director:
Contact Number: 407 - 554 -7079 . City Manager: �`
Subject: Economic Development and Master Planning Program— Authorization to proceed
with the development of a Master Plan for Downtown Ocoee
Background Summary:
The City Commission in the 2014/2015 budget set aside money specifically for launching an economic
development and master planning program. With the initiation of the State Road 429 joint planning study
(funded by a state grant), the initial step towards accomplishing the City's economic development goals has
begun. The next steps are vital to moving the City towards reaching its goals of revitalizing and redeveloping
downtown Ocoee, and growing business, and include:
A. A new downtown master plan
B. An economic development program targeting high wage jobs
C. A commercial marketing /retail strategy
The first step in the Economic Development and Master Planning program is the creation of a Master Plan for
Downtown Ocoee. This planning process will follow the Master Planning endeavor currently underway on the
429 Interchange Study, and it is anticipated that the findings of that study will be effectively integrated into the
Downtown Ocoee Master Plan. It is believed that a much more detailed analysis of the existing downtown
including its market potential, needed utility and roadway upgrades and overall community amenity
enhancements will set the stage for future City projects in this area.
In order to begin this process, the City will need to hire a multi - disciplinary team of consultants specializing in
the fields of planning, landscape architecture, real estate market analysis, utilities, roadways, and community
design, among others, to undertake this complex work. As a result, staff is prepared to issue a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) to interview interested Planning /Landscape Architectural firms which could fulfill the lead
role in assembling a team of consultants sufficient to carry out this study, as well as future tasks associated with
general City planning and development needs (the City's general planning services contracts have now
expired). Accordingly, the RFQ will be structured to enable several firms to be recommended to the City
Commission as Continuing Service Providers, with the top -rated firm given the initial contract to undertake the
first phase of the Ocoee Downtown Master Planning work. This is anticipated to cost approximately
$250,000.00.
Issue:
Should the Mayor and City Commissioners proceed with the development of a Master Plan for Downtown
Ocoee?
Recommendations
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Commissioners take action to designate $250,000.00 from the
Contingency of the current 2014 -2015 Budget to fund the development of the Downtown Ocoee Master Plan
and authorize staff to issue an RFQ for Planning /Landscape Architectural Services.
Attachments:
Financial Impact:
S250,000.00
Type of Item: (please mark with an x')
Public Hearing For Clerk's Dept Use:
Ordinance First Reading Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading Public Hearing
Resolution Regular Agenda
✓ Commission Approval
Discussion & Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract•Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney e- = ����� N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. N/A
Reviewed by () N/A
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