Council Meeting: June 22, 2004                                                                                                                 Santa Monica, California

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and City Council

 

FROM:            City Staff

 

SUBJECT:     Award of Professional Service Agreement for the Design of the Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This report requests that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate an Agreement with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF) for design services for the Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project, a pedestrian and streetscape project on 2nd and 4th Streets between Wilshire Boulevard and Colorado Avenue, in the not-to-exceed amount of $483,000, including 10% contingency.

 

BACKGROUND

The Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project consists of eight blocks of pedestrian and streetscape improvements along 2nd and 4th Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Colorado Avenue.  These improvements were identified as a third phase in the Downtown Urban Design Plan adopted in 1997 and include new closely-spaced pedestrian lighting to illuminate the sidewalks; replacement of every-other street tree; and other streetscape amenities such as pavement treatment accents and possible parkway landscaping.  Crosswalks enhancements will be considered, particularly at the three 2nd Street mid-block crosswalks.  A public artist will participate in the design process as part of the project team.

The third phase is intended to further expand the pedestrian environment within the downtown area, encourage pedestrian circulation beyond the 3rd Street Promenade and improve the pedestrian experience for the patrons of the many transit lines that run through downtown.  Staff does not anticipate significant impediments to accessing the businesses during the project construction.  The assumed components will be reviewed through a comprehensive outreach process involving stakeholder groups and the community. 

 

The consultant’s scope of services is intended to engage the design team throughout the entire process from concept development through construction consultation.  Specific stages include vision and design concept; schematic concept design; development of construction documents, bid package and cost estimates; and construction consultation, including review of submittals.

 

DISCUSSION

The selection process to procure the design team followed Caltrans procedures, since the project is funded by a federal grant managed by Caltrans.  Ten proposals were submitted in response to the RFQ; a selection committee comprised of seven City staff representing four City departments and the Executive Director of the Bayside District ranked the responsive proposals using criteria that were clearly stated in the RFP, including:  1) Understanding and approach to the work; 2) Experience with similar kinds of work; 3) Quality of staff for work to be done; 4) Capability of developing innovative or advanced techniques; 5) Familiarity with State and Federal procedures; 6) Financial Responsibility and Cost Control; and 7) Demonstrated DBE intent and Affirmative Action Practices.

 

A short-list of qualified teams was invited for interviews and the teams were ranked again after the interviews, using the same criteria. The following five firms as the top-ranked firms that were invited for interviews:

ahbe Landscape Architects

Amphion Environmental, Inc.

Gruen Associates

Wallace Roberts & Todd, Inc.

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership

 

 

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership was selected as the top ranked firm based on the quality of the staff; their experience with similar projects; proposed approach, including the capability of developing an innovative design; addressing requirements such as experience on federally funded projects and cost management; and the overall strength of the proposed team.  Sub-consultants include Pat Smith as the landscape architect, Cliff Garten as the public artist, Katz, Okitsu for crosswalks and other high quality firms. 

 

BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT

The project is funded with $2,169,000 of Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) grant dollars through the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation (MTA) Call For Projects and $600,000 of Proposition C Local Return funds.  Crosswalk enhancements will be funded with Phase III Crosswalk Improvement Funds.

 

 

Uses of Funds:

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Contract                                                                 $439,000

10% Contingency                                                                                              44,000

                                                                                                                        $483,000

 

Sources of Funds:

C200464.589000 Pedestrian Extension – Transit Mall (MTA)   $ 332,775

C200473.589000 Pedestrian Extension – Transit Mall (Prop C)        $ 115,225

C010456.589000 Crosswalk Improvements                                             $_ 35,000

Total                                                                                                                $ 483,000

 

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership in an amount not to exceed $ 483,000 including 10% contingency, for design services for the Pedestrian Extension to the Downtown Transit Mall Project.

 

 

 

 

Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning and Community Development

Department

Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director, Planning and Community Development  Department

Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management   Department

                        Tony Antich, City Engineer

                        Dave Britton, Principal Civil Engineer