Summary

The City of Akron is requesting qualifications from experienced urban design consultants to complete a Reconnecting Communities Master Plan for the Akron Innerbelt study area.  

 

View the full RFQ here

View a map of the study area here

Project Scope

1. Condition Analysis

The consultant team will explore historical data, population, economic factors, historic and current cultural conditions, former and current land uses, environmental issues, existing infrastructure, circulation, community assets, and natural resources in and immediately adjacent to the study area.  This phase will also include a market analysis of viable residential and commercial development opportunities. The consultant team will review current and previous planning studies of the Innerbelt and surrounding areas. The consultant will review the community-engaged process, data, and recommendations in the report recently completed by Studio O and incorporate these findings into the work going forward. 

Deliverables: 

· The consultant team will produce a State of the Planning Area Report, including a Market Analysis of the Innerbelt Study Area and adjacent areas. 

 

2. Vision and Principles for the Innerbelt Study Area

The consultant team will undertake engagement activities to share the findings from the State of the Planning Area report with residents, businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders. The consultant team will work with designated City staff to engage all stakeholders in developing principles for redevelopment that can guide decision-making on any improvements to be made within the study area. The consultant team will also collaborate with City staff to engage all stakeholders in exploring potential visions for the study area. These discussions will inform future master planning activities. 

Deliverables: 

· The consultant team will produce an Engagement and Outreach Plan containing the strategy for engaging and documenting feedback from key stakeholders and broader constituencies.

· Consultant will be expected to engage in creative approaches to outreach activities to ensure the participation of harder to reach and underrepresented groups, including but not limited to former residents and youth.

· The consultant team will produce a Vision and Principles for the Planning Area Report based on all community feedback activities.

· This task will include a minimum of 2 community meetings.

· This task will include a minimum of 6 one-hour meetings with Key Stakeholder groups or organizations that have specific relevance to the project.

 

3. Preliminary Master Plan Scenarios

Based on community feedback and the resulting Vision and Principles Report, the consultant team will develop several possible Master Plan approaches to the project. 

· These should include short-term (1-5 years), medium-term (5-8 years), and long-term improvement strategies. 

· They should include a range of low-, medium-, and higher-cost interventions.

· Approaches should include possible physical improvements, as well as social, cultural, arts, and economic development initiatives. 

· Scenarios should apply an equitable development lens to proposed uses, development frameworks, and programmatic and policy strategies.

 Deliverables: 

· At least five conceptual Master Plan scenarios, with site plans and at least three conceptual renderings for each scenario, phasing diagrams, and narrative of proposed equitable development strategy.

· This task will include a minimum of 2 - 3 community meetings where the Vision and Principles are confirmed, and Master Plan scenarios are tested. This work will likely include a community charrette and ongoing public engagement. 

 

4. Verification of Preferred Master Plan Scheme 

Based on community feedback received at the meetings for the previous step, the consultant team will develop a preferred Master Plan scheme.

 Deliverables:

· Overall site plan for preferred Master Plan scheme, including short, medium, and long-term scenarios.

· Three illustrative renderings of the overall Master Plan scheme.

· Plans for recommended modifications to the circulation network. 

· Preliminary open space and greenspace plan.

· Preliminary strategies to support equitable economic investment, wealth-building opportunities, and development.

· Preliminary cost estimates and financing strategy for the proposed short, medium, and long-term interventions.

· Preliminary recommendations for complementary policies, programs, and initiatives to support equitable development and community wealth-building.

· This task will include at least two community meetings.

 

 5. Innerbelt Master Plan

The consultant team will complete the equity-centered Master Plan for the study area. 

 Deliverables: 

· Overall site plans, including short, medium, and long-term scenarios.

· Five illustrative color renderings of the overall proposed Master Plan.

· 3-D flyover and street-level walk-through of proposed interventions.

· Detailed plans for recommended modifications to the circulation network. Include thoroughfare types, typical street sections, and preliminary grading fit plans. 

· Provide a preliminary traffic study demonstrating the impacts of any proposed street reconfiguration. Include origin/destination data for traffic within the study area. Identify potential level of service (LOS) changes. 

· Conceptual site plan for the southern two-mile section of the Innerbelt. Provide two illustrative color renderings of this portion of the study area. 

· Open space and greenspace plan.

· Evaluation of existing utility infrastructure capacity and recommended utility infrastructure modifications that may be required to support the Master Plan proposal. This includes water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, power, fiber optic, and District Energy Systems. 

· Proposed zoning modifications. Format should be compatible with the City of Akron  Form-Based Zoning Code.

· Schematic development scenarios for at least five specific sample sites, chosen in consultation with the City. Includes site plan with building footprints and one illustrative color rendering for each sample site.

· Proposed strategies to support economic investment that results in equitable outcomes and promotes wealth-building opportunities.

· Recommended equity-informed policies, programs, and initiatives to support local businesses and improve the lives of current and former residents. These initiatives may involve the participation of multiple City departments and outside partners.

· Strategy of specific implementation steps to achieve the vision of the Plan.

· Provide specific strategies for the ongoing interim use and expanded activation of the Innerbelt site.

· Cost estimates for the proposed short, medium, and long-term interventions. Identify possible funding sources to achieve the proposed interventions.

· A Master Plan Final Report detailing all findings.

· This task will include at least one community meeting.

· In addition, the consultant team will present the Master Plan to the Planning Commission and to City Council in person. 

 

6. Prepare Application for Reconnecting Communities Pilot Implementation Grant

Deliverables:

· The consultant team will complete all necessary documentation for submittal for the RCP Implementation Grant.

 

7. Ongoing Tasks throughout the duration of the work.

· Provide regular communication with the public via a variety of media types.

· Project updates will be communicated via the existing Akron Innerbelt website. Consultant will provide content updates on a monthly basis throughout the project.

· Bi-weekly Teams meetings with City staff. Provide minutes and a list of action items following each meeting.

· During each of the first four Project Scope milestones above, meet at least once with the Reconnecting Our Community Advisory Group, made up of community stakeholders, and review project progress.

· At each of the first four Project Scope milestones, meet in person with the Mayor, Planning Director, Economic Development Director, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and other cabinet members as designated by the Mayor. 

· Meet reporting requirements of the RCP grant.

· Consultant representatives will attend all community meetings in person in Akron.

· Community meetings will provide a combination of in-person and online engagement activities.

Submission Requirements

The response to this RFQ should include the following:

1. Description of lead consultant and other consultants on the team. Include consultant backgrounds, firm size, and nature of services      provided.
2. Resumes of consultant project leaders and other personnel who will be assigned to this project. 
3. Organizational chart that indicates the team roles and responsibilities of the project leaders and personnel.
4. Relevant experience and examples of at least 3 similar completed projects.
5. Description of approach to community-engaged design along with specific examples of how that process has been successful on previous projects.
6. Recommended adjustments to the proposed Project Scope and timeline.
7. At least three client references.

Questions on the submission process?

Contact Dylan Garritano by email at DGarritano@akronohio.gov for assistance.