8 April 2019

Charlotte, North Carolina

Request for Qualificationsfor Public Space Design Services

Thomas Polk Park Renovation

2

North Carolina

South Carolina

Huntersville

Mint Hill

Matthews

Pineville

Mount Holly

Concord

Harrisburg

Monroe

Fort Mill

Catawba River

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Charlotte

REGIONAL CONTEXTUPTOWN

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GOLD LINE STREETCAR

CITY LIMITS

COUNTY LIMITS

Polk Park

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Invitation & Public Notice

Project Overview

Scope of Services

Budget & Project Schedule

Statement of Qualifications Format & Content

SOQ Submittal Guidelines & Timeline

Evaluation Process, Qualifications & Criteria

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PolkPark

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Invitation & Public Notice

Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP), in partnership with the City of

Charlotte (“the City”), invites qualified firms to submit qualifications to

redesign Thomas Polk Park located in downtown (called ‘Uptown’) on

the southwest corner of Trade and Tryon Streets (Project).

Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), CCCP and the City are

seeking a landscape architecture firm-led team capable of designing this

highly visible outdoor public space. CCCP and the City reserve the right

to enter into one or more contracts with any firm selected under this

RFQ process.

In addition, information related to this solicitation including any addenda

will be posted at www.charlottecentercity.org/PolkParkRFQ.

Intent to Submit & Questions

Respondents who plan to submit qualifications must email confirmation

of “Intent to Submit” as well as any questions or inquiries to Maria Floren

as noted below.

Answers to respondents’ questions or modifications of this RFQ will

be distributed to all known recipients of the RFQ. No questions will be

answered by phone or in person.

Email Intent to Submit & Questions no later than Friday, 12 April 2019 at

5:00 p.m. EDT to:

Maria Floren

Director of Planning & Development

Charlotte Center City Partners

mfloren@charlottecentercity.org

2

Project Overview

CCCP and the City seek a design team to reinvent Thomas Polk Park to

become a premier public space for the present day and beyond. The new

design should provide unique opportunities for civic engagement and for

hosting public events, both planned and impromptu.

History

Polk Park was built in 1991, with a cascading fountain, tree canopy,

seating area and landscaping. The fountain was designed by landscape

architect, Angela Danadjieva, who also designed other notable fountains

in Pioneer Square in Portland and Freeway Park in Seattle. The park

has served as the setting for many occasions in Charlotte including the

Thanksgiving Day Parade, a farmers market, pep rallies, a Christmas light

show, flower market and a simple place to lunch by the water.

Challenges

As the years have gone by, the fountain and the resulting space has

become difficult and expensive to maintain. As a result, the fountain is

frequently closed for repairs. Spaces located behind the fountain have

been vandalized and mistreated. With no tables and chairs, except in a

small area leased to an adjacent restaurant, the park is rarely used. And,

with landscape beds located along the street, few people choose to walk

through it.

Project Goal

Located at the City’s most important intersection in the heart of Uptown,

Polk Park can and should be the premier urban public space in Charlotte.

The project goal is to re-imagine and rediscover how Polk Park can

better reflect the identity, history and future of Charlotte by authentically

representing the importance of its place at Trade and Tryon.

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Danadjieva’s original design envisioned that all four corners of the Trade

and Tryon intersection would become a vibrant plaza. While that vision

did not come to fruition, the other privately-owned corners reasonably

function as public space providing seating, art and activity. In addition,

adopted planning documents completed by the City of Charlotte and

Center City Partners (most recently the Center City 2020 Vision Plan)

have called for a re-visioning of Polk Park, reinforcing its meaning

and significance to Charlotte. The redesign will embody the vision of

creating a more active, vibrant, and pleasant place at the very center of

the City for all to enjoy.

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Scope of Services

The selected Consultant will work with a project team comprised of

staff from Center City Partners and the City of Charlotte. The Scope

of Services should include site master planning, schematic design,

design development, construction documents and administration, and

a community outreach | public involvement program. Cost estimates for

the project will be developed during all phases of the design process.

Anticipated services required for this project may include, but are not

limited to:

Management & Process

• Coordination with the Charlotte Department of Transportation,

Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte Planning and Charlotte

Engineering and Property Management departments regarding

current and future improvement projects that may impact the park

• Community outreach and public participation program

Planning, Programming, Design & Engineering

• On site investigation of existing conditions

• Consideration of programming to determine the locations of core

functions and amenities

• Landscape architectural design and specifications

• Public art coordination

• Spatial prototyping

• Urban forestry ‘best practices’ for existing tree canopy

• Civil engineering and specifications

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• Structural engineering and specifications

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing design and specifications

• Lighting and fire protection design and specifications

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment design and specifications

• Telecommunications and security design (access control and

security cameras) and specifications

Construction

• Cost estimating

• Phasing

• Review and approval by all local, state and federal regulatory

agencies

• Construction administration

• Close out & warranty

A detailed description of the scope of work for the aforementioned

services will be negotiated with the selected Consultant.

6

Budget & Project Schedule

Budget

The estimated consultant budget range for this project is $300,000 -

$400,000 in addition to an anticipated construction budget range of

$2,000,000 - $3,000,000.

Schedule

The Consultant team will be expected to complete the following work

within the number of calendar days as specified below:

• Schematic design work within 45 calendar days after receiving

written direction to proceed

• Design development work within 60 calendar days after receiving

written approval of schematic design work

• Final construction documents within 75 calendar days after receiving

written approval of design development work, and

• Other deliverables and services as specified by CCCP and the City.

Anticipated Start Dates:

Planning & Design: 6 months June 2019

Permitting: 3 months December 2019

Construction: 5 months March 2020

Project Completion July 2020

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SOQ Format & Content

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) packages will be evaluated on the

basis of content, not length. Proposers are encouraged to be clear and

concise with responses. A recommended length is no more than 25

double-sided pages, not including covers, table of contents or tabs.

The caliber of the submission narratives and graphics should represent

and be commensurate with the high quality and excellence of design

expected for the completed project.

SOQ packages should include and be arranged in tabs, as follows:

TAB 1

Cover Letter, Design Approach, Work Plan, Rates & Fee

TAB 2

Similar Project Experience

TAB 3

Qualifications, Relevant Experience & Availability of Key Team Members

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Cover Letter

The SOQ package should include a cover letter summarizing the:

• Lead Consultant’s firm information noting the office location(s), staff

size, and type of practice

• Unique advantage that the firm and team offers

• Firm’s availability and bandwidth to ensure the project can be

completed within the accelerated schedule

Design Approach

Include a brief narrative that demonstrates the team’s understanding

of the project, i.e. project’s vision, goals and objectives, key issues,

opportunities and complexities including:

• A description of the proposed design approach and techniques for

problem solving

• Ideas and concepts not included in the scope of services but which

may be beneficial to the project

• An assessment of the adequacy of the project budget

Work Plan

Recommend a possible work plan detailing how the project tasks and

deliverables might be accomplished within the accelerated schedule.

TAB 1

Cover Letter, Design Approach, Work Plan, Rates & Fee

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Rate Chart & Fee

Provide an hourly rate chart for all personnel that could be assigned to

the project.

Based on the team’s understanding of the project at this point of the

process and the rate chart, submit a proposed budget breakdown to

successfully execute the project within the established schedule.

10

Provide summaries of relevant team member experience on projects

that are similar in nature, size and scope. Submit narratives and visual

descriptions for (10-15) projects completed (or under construction),

including photographs, renderings, sketches and illustrations of projects

designed by the lead firm or other project team members.

Include only projects involving the key team members or subcontractors

proposed to work on this project and include the:

• Project name

• Client (corporation, public agency, etc.)

• General physical characteristics

• Special features, accomplishments or problems (including SITES or

LEED Certification, energy and resource efficient design experience)

• Construction value

• Role on the design team | specific services provided

• Dates of service

• Approximate contract value

• References - with contact names, addresses and telephone numbers.

If applicable, provide references for projects with other municipalities

that are similar in size to the City of Charlotte

• Firm’s community engagement process and approach for each project

• Description of how this project is similar to the one proposed in this

RFQ and why the services provided are relevant to this project.

TAB 2

Similar Project Experience

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Resumes - Submit brief resumes for each proposed key team member.

Organizational Chart - Provide a description of the project team via an

organizational chart, listing key individuals and responsibilities.

MWBE Participation & Charlotte Business Inclusion - Include information

about the firm’s approach regarding diversity. Identify MWBE professionals

that will contribute to this project as well as specific scopes of work these

team members will perform.

MWBE members of the selected consultant team must register with the

City’s Business Inclusion Program.

Licensure - The team’s lead firm must be licensed by the North Carolina

Board of Landscape Architects OR the firm must employ at least one (1)

professional landscape architect licensed by the North Carolina Board of

Landscape Architects.

TAB 3

Qualifications, Relevant Experience & Availability of Key Team Members

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SOQ Submittal

The name and address of the prospective firm and SOQ title, should

be placed on the outside of the submittal package. The required SOQ

submittal package should include:

• Six (6) original bound copies printed on 8.5x11 recycled paper

- The recommended length for each SOQ copy is no more than 25

double-sided pages, not including covers, table of contents or tabs

• A digital version of the SOQ package in PDF format on a USB flash

drive and submitted via email

Deadline

The SOQ submittal must be received no later than Friday, 3 May 2019

at 5:00 pm EDT. SOQs received after the due date and time will not be

considered. SOQs submitted by facsimile or other electronic means will

not be accepted.

Submit | Deliver SOQs to:

Maria Floren

Director of Planning & Development

Charlotte Center City Partners

200 South Tryon Street, Suite 1600

Charlotte, NC 28202

mfloren@charlottecentercity.org

SOQ Submittal Guidelines & Timeline

13

Timeline

Summarized below is the anticipated SOQ submittal timeline. CCCP

and the City reserve the right to adjust the timeline and to add/remove

specific activities to meet the needs of the project.

RFQ advertisement & distribution Monday, 8 April 2019

Confirm ‘Intent to Submit’

Deadline for submitting questions

Friday, 12 April 2019 (by 5:00 pm EDT)

Answers to questions distributed Wednesday, 17 April 2019

SOQ package due date Friday, 3 May 2019 (by 5:00 pm EDT)

Shortlisted firms notified Friday, 17 May 2019

Potential interviews 28 - 31 May 2019

Draft scope of work due Friday, 7 June 2019

Final scope & contract complete

Notice to proceed

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

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Evaluation Process, Qualifications & Criteria

CCCP and the City will appoint a committee responsible for evaluating

each SOQ and for making a consultant team selection based on the

criteria summarized below, in addition to other factors. Evaluations will

focus on identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses associated

with each SOQ.

Evaluation Criteria

• Project understanding, methodology and approach including

familiarity with local conditions

• Qualifications and experience of team in providing similar services

for similar projects

• Understanding of and commitment to design excellence of urban

spaces which enrich the city, and inspire pride in public space

• Commitment to safety and accessibility beyond code compliance

• Experience with other highly visible urban projects

• Demonstrated capability to provide unique and innovative solutions

to problems

• Proven capability and reputation, including timeliness and

demonstrable results

• Ability to balance innovative design and traditional operating

practices including:

- Cost effective design that fully considers life cycle analysis in

the selection of materials and systems

- Tested, durable materials

- Ease of maintenance and operation

• Demonstrated technical experience and capability to complete all

design work within established schedule and budget.

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Interviews

Interviews with firms may be held at the discretion of the Selection

Committee. CCCP and the City reserves the right to obtain clarification

or additional information related to SOQ submissions.

Potential for Team Alteration

CCCP and the City reserve the right to alter the consultant team

composition. The change may pertain to a specific member(s) of the

consultant team or their sub-consultants. Failure to come to agreement

on specific team members may result in CCCP and the City electing

to exclude the firm from consideration, or if this request occurs during

contract negotiations, to terminate negotiations and commence

negotiation with an alternate firm.

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200 South Tryon Street Suite 1600 Charlotte, NC 28202

www.charlottecentercity.org