Title
The Greg Stanton Central Station Transit Center Improvements - Architectural Services - PT00130063 (Ordinance S-52886) - District 7
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to enter into an agreement with Merge Architectural Group LLC to provide Architectural Services that include construction administration and inspection for the Greg Stanton Central Station Tenant Improvements Project. Further request to authorize execution of amendments to the agreement as necessary within the Council-approved expenditure authority as provided below, and for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The fee for services will not exceed $75,000.
Additionally, request to authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to take all action as may be necessary or appropriate and to execute all design and construction agreements, licenses, permits, and requests for utility services related to the development, design, and construction of the project. Utility services include, but are not limited to: electrical, water, sewer, natural gas, telecommunication, cable television, and railroads and other modes of transportation. Further request the City Council to grant an exception to Phoenix City Code 42-20 to authorize inclusion in the documents pertaining to this transaction of indemnification and assumption of liability provisions that otherwise should be prohibited by Phoenix City Code 42-18. This authorization excludes any transaction involving an interest in real property.
Report
Summary
The purpose of this Project is to provide additional construction administration and inspection services. The Greg Stanton Central Station Transit Center is part of a City-owned property that went through redevelopment via a joint development agreement approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in August 2020. The project includes 338 apartment units, 629 student beds, 7 percent workforce housing, and a newly constructed Central Station Transit Center facility on property acquired with FTA assistance. As part of this redevelopment, the project maintained existing bus stop and light rail platform configurations while enhancing transit service connections and improving passenger amenities. In November 2025, Merge Architectural Group LLC was selected to design and prepare the construction documents for the second floor Public Transit Department and Police Transit Unit space within the new facility. It is the request of the City to have the original design firm perform this critical service. For continuity, and to maintain design integrity and expedite delivery, it is imperative that the original designer perform this administrative service.
Procurement Information
Merge Architectural Group LLC was chosen for this project using a Direct Select process set forth in Section 34-103 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.). The Direct Select process will reduce the time to procure architectural services (as opposed to an advertised selection process), meeting the project deadline and ensuring continuity and the most efficient use of staff and funding resources.
In November 2025, Merge Architectural Group LLC was selected to design and prepare the construction documents for the second floor suite within the new facility under the Architectural 2024-2025 on-call services contract. Design was completed in February of 2026. Merge Architectural Group LLC was not awarded the current 2026-2028 on-call services contract with the City.
Contract Term
The term of the agreement is 365 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Work scope identified and incorporated into the agreement prior to the end of the term may be agreed to by the parties, and work may extend past the termination of the agreement. No additional changes may be executed after the end of the term.
Financial Impact
The agreement value for Merge Architectural Group LLC will not exceed $75,000, including all subconsultant and reimbursable costs.
Funding is available in the Public Transit Department's Capital Improvement Program budget. The Budget and Research Department will separately review and approve funding availability prior to execution of any amendments. Payments may be made up to agreement limits for all rendered agreement services, which may extend past the agreement termination.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved Architectural On-Call Consulting Services for Calendar Years 2024-25 Agreement 159512 (Ordinance S-50331) on November 15, 2023.
Location
311 N. 1st Avenue
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Amber Williamson, the PublicTransit Department and the City Engineer.