Title
Contract Award for Transit Oriented Development Planning for the Capitol / I-10 West Light Rail Corridor Study Areas (Ordinance S-50229)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a contract with Ardurra Group, Inc. to provide consultant services to assist with the development and implementation of the Transit-Oriented Development Grant for the Capitol Extension and I-10 West Light Rail Extension study areas. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total cost of the contract will not exceed $2,500,000.
Report
Summary
This contract provides consultant services to assist with the research, implementation, and execution of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Grant for the Capitol Extension (CAPEX) and I-10 West (10WEST) Light Rail Extension study areas. The Federal Transit Administration selected the City of Phoenix to receive a TOD planning grant for future development along the CAPEX and 10WEST light rail extension corridor study areas. The grant’s purpose is to assist cities in developing equitable housing strategies and proactive land use planning along transit project corridors. Land use planning will advance TOD in the corridors and the region by advancing efforts with residents, business owners, and community leaders to create a comprehensive plan that lays the groundwork for new development that is urban, mixed-use, and built to a pedestrian scale. Such planning will also strengthen and improve opportunities for equitable housing that, when combined with new light rail lines, will improve the community’s quality of life and economic vitality.
Consultant services include, but are not limited to: working closely with the community to develop and implement policy plans in the corridor by collecting a detailed inventory of existing land uses; hosting community stakeholder workshops and meetings; working with the community to develop a community vision; and identifying strategies and performance measures to implement the vision. Additionally, the consultant will assist the City with the development of an equitable housing strategy as well as TOD policy plans.
The CAPEX TOD planning area is generally bounded by 7th Avenue on the east, Interstate 17 on the west, Interstate 10 on the north, and the Union Pacific Railroad on the south. The 10WEST TOD planning area is generally bounded by Interstate 17 on the east, 83rd Avenue on the west, Encanto Boulevard/Osborn Road on the north, and Van Buren Street on the south.
Senate Bill 1102, recently passed by the Arizona State Legislature and signed by the Governor will require revision to the existing alignment of the CAPEX project, and the project team has already begun evaluating alternative routes to maintain progress towards providing light rail service west of the downtown area towards 79th Avenue. Because the potential alternative alignments are expected to remain within the TOD study area boundaries, but outside the immediate vicinity of the Capitol, the bill does not impact this procurement/contract.
Procurement Information
On Nov. 3, 2021, City Council approved staff’s request to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consultant services to assist with the research, implementation, and execution of the CAPEX and 10WEST Light Rail Extension TOD grant. An RFP process was conducted in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10. The RFP (PTD22-002) was issued April 15, 2022, with a proposal submission deadline of May 26, 2022. The solicitation was canceled in the best interest of the City on Oct. 14, 2022. A new RFP (PTD23-002) was issued May 17, 2023, with a proposal submission deadline of June 13, 2023.
One offer was received in response to the RFP and the offeror was determined to be responsive and responsible. An evaluation panel comprised of City staff evaluated the offers based on the following criteria with a maximum possible point total of 1000:
- Method of Approach (0-450 points),
- Qualifications and Experience (0-350 points),
- Price (0-200 points)
The evaluation committee reached consensus and scored the offeror as follows:
- Ardurra Group, Inc. - 760 points
The evaluation committee recommended awarding the contract to Ardurra Group, Inc.
Contract Term
The contract will begin on or about Oct. 15, 2023, for a one-year term with an option to extend in the City's sole discretion for a period of up to six additional months to coincide with project completion.
Financial Impact
The estimated total expenditure of the project is $2,500,000 from the following funding sources:
- Federal Transit Administration TOD Grant - $2,000,000; and
- City of Phoenix Transportation 2050 Funds - $500,000.
The project will be administered over two Fiscal Years:
- Fiscal Year 2023-24 - $ 1.5 million; and
- Fiscal Year 2024-25 - $ 1 million.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Citizens Transportation Commission recommended approval of this item on August 24, 2023, by a vote of 11-0.
The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee recommended approval of this item on September 20, 2023, by a vote of 3-0.
Location
Council Districts: 5 and 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.