Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Plan, and Parks & Trail Plan

Introduction and Background

The City of Gainesville, Texas, is seeking proposals from qualified consultants or firms to develop a comprehensive plan, downtown master plan, and park & trails master plan for the community as the county seat of Cooke County. These plans are crucial for guiding sustainable growth and enhancing recreational opportunities for the community.

Project Objectives

The City of Gainesville aims to achieve the following objectives through this project.

Comprehensive Plan:

• Develop a comprehensive plan that aligns with the city’s vision for sustainable growth, economic development, efficient land utilization, quality of life, general health, walkability, and the creation of a sense of place.
• The plan should utilize fiscal analysis to determine impacts on development costs, future maintenance costs, property tax generation, and sales tax generation.

Downtown Master Plan:

• Continue to promote the downtown area by identifying key development opportunities, improving infrastructure, enhancing walkability, and quality of life that fosters a vibrant business and cultural environment.
• The downtown plan should utilize fiscal analysis to determine impacts on development costs, future maintenance costs, property tax generation, and sales tax generation.

Parks and Trails Master Plan:

• Create a parks and trail system plan that focuses on connectivity, accessibility, and sustainable design to promote active lifestyles and community engagement.

Scope of Work:

1. Research and Analysis:
   • Conduct a thorough analysis of existing conditions, existing facilities, demographics, economic trends, and land use patterns in Gainesville.
   • Special attention should be focused on how new housing developments will impact our sustainability and how infill housing or redevelopment of our established neighborhoods could be utilized to meet our need for housing.
   • Establish goals and objectives to achieve improvements including community facilities, community services, neighborhood improvements, and business district improvements.
   • The analysis needs to show implications for the future fiscal sustainability of our community.
2. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Engage with stakeholders including residents, major employers, local businesses, local lenders, community organizations, developers, and government agencies to gather input and insights.
3. Drafting Plans:
   • Develop a comprehensive plan, downtown master plan, and parks & trails master plan based on research, analysis, and stakeholder feedback.
4. Presentation and Review:
   • Present the draft plans to the City and Gainesville Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee for review and feedback, and incorporate necessary revisions based on input received.
5. Final Plans:
   • Produce final versions of the plans, incorporating feedback, and incorporate necessary revisions based on input received.
6. Implementation Recommendations:
   • Provide recommendations for the phased implementation of the plans, including estimated costs and potential funding sources.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals should include the following:

Introduction and Qualifications:

• Introduction of the consultant or firm, including experience, qualifications, and relevant projects.
• Names and qualifications for the specific team members that will be working on the Gainesville project.

Methodology:

• Detailed description of the approach and methodology proposed to accomplish the project objects.
• Include a description of the plan to engage stakeholders throughout the planning process.
• Describe how a fiscal analysis will be utilized to evaluate current and future land development practices and community facility impact.

Project Timeline:

• A proposed timeline outlining key project milestones and deadlines.

Cost Proposal:

• An itemized breakdown of costs associated with the project, including all services, deliverables, and expenses.

References:

• Contact information for at least five (5) previous clients.
• The City prefers to have at least three of the former clients to be of similar size or located in the same region.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Deadline:

• City will accept sealed proposals submitted in response to this RFP until 2:00 p.m., Central Standard Time on Wednesday, January 31, 2023.

Number and Size of RFP:

• Please submit ten (10) hard copies of your RFP. An acceptable RFP shall be not more than twenty (20) pages 8.5” X 11”, single sided – in length, including appendices. The transmittal letter, if desired, should be no more than one (1) page in length (single sided). Covers and page tabs do not count against the page limit.

Submittal Location:

• Sealed package(s) shall be delivered to and marked as follows:

RFP #2024-02 Comprehensive Plan

Diana Alcala, City Secretary

City of Gainesville, Texas

200 S. Rusk

Gainesville, Texas 76240

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluation based on the following criteria:

1. Experience and qualifications of the consultant or firm — 25%
2. Methodology and approach to the project — 25%
3. Project timeline and proposed schedule — 5%
4. Cost proposal and value for money — 25%
5. References and past performance — 20%

Questions

For any questions about the RFP, contact Barry Sullivan at 940-668-4500.

Reservations

The City of Gainesville reserves the right to negotiate specific terms and conditions with the selected proposer before finalizing the contract. The negotiation may encompass, but is not limited to, the scope of work, pricing, payment terms, performance timelines, and any other relevant terms necessary to achieve a mutually agreeable contract.

The City of Gainesville reserves the discretion to accept or reject proposals, negotiate with proposers, and ultimately enter into a contract that is in the best interest of the City.

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