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CONTRACT NO. K-1213-199: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND GATEWAY PLANNING GROUP, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,750 FOR PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES ON THE WEST LINDSEY STREET BOND PROJECT AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION
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CONTRACT NO. K-1213-199: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND GATEWAY PLANNING GROUP, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,750 FOR PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES ON THE WEST LINDSEY STREET BOND PROJECT AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION
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BACKGROUND: On August 28, 2013, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of eight transportation/storm water improvement projects. One of the eight 2012 Bond Projects is the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project from 24th Avenue West to east of Berry Road.
On December 18, 2012, City Council approved Contract No. K-1213-126 with SAIC and Poe & Associates for the design services needed to prepare the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project for construction in 2016. One of the key commitments made to Norman citizens during the 2012 Bond Election was that the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project will be constructed simultaneously with the I-35 and Lindsey Street Interchange Project which is currently under design by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). The purpose of the coordinated schedule is to minimize negative impacts to the Lindsey Street property owners and merchants.
DISCUSSION: In late August 2012, officials with the University of Oklahoma approached city staff with a proposal to collaborate on certain design elements proposed for the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project. Our University partners view this portion of West Lindsey Street as the "front door" or "gateway" to the campus. In particular, University officials are advocating for maximum open, green space including trees along the corridor; easy access for bicycles and pedestrians; and gateway features consistent with the University aesthetics.
Approximately four years ago, the University of Oklahoma created the Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) and appointed Mr. Blair Humphreys as the Director. One of the missions of IQC is to promote "placemaking" in Oklahoma communities. IQC recently worked with the City of Shawnee on a downtown project and the City of Oklahoma City on the Western Avenue Project. Placemaking is defined by IQC as "the intersection of community engagement, urban design and economic development; creating places that add to the long term value and identity of the community".
Since August 2012, city staff has been working with Mr. Humphreys to explore placemaking opportunities in Norman including the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project. At the recommendation of Mr. Humphreys, city staff interviewed the owners of Gateway Planning Group, Inc. from Dallas, Texas in the Fall of 2012 to ascertain their possible contributions to the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project design process. Gateway Planning Group specializes in placemaking and corridor planning with a focus on economic development within a commercial corridor.
In April 2013, Gateway Planning Group in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities proposed the attached contract for consulting services for the West Lindsey Street Corridor Project on a 50/50 cost sharing basis between the City and the University. City staff has reviewed the proposed contract and recommends approval on the following basis:
* Collaboration between the City of Norman and the University of Oklahoma is favorable and prudent regarding the West Lindsey Street Corridor
* Gateway Planning Group is a qualified consultant in the field of commercial corridor planning, design and placemaking.
* The services of Gateway Planning Group can bring value to the West Lindsey Street property owners/merchants, the City of Norman and the University of Oklahoma
* Gateway Planning Group will serve as a liaison between the City's Project Design Team (SAIC/Poe & Associates) and the private property owners in the areas of land planning and access management
* Gateway Planning Group will join the project design process without causing delays in the project schedule
* The University of Oklahoma has agreed to pay 50% of the fees for Gateway Planning Group or $21,750
STAFF RECOMMENDATION NO 1: It is recommended that the City Council approve Contract No. K-1213-199 with Gateway Planning Group, Inc. for consulting services on the West Lindsey Street Bond Project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION NO 2: It is recommended that funds be appropriated from the Capital Fund Balance, (account 050-0000-253.20-00) to the Capital Fund, Lindsey Street- 24th Avenue S.W. to Berry Widening Project (account 050-9552-431.62-01; project BP0189) to pay for the City's share of $21,750 of this contract.