Equitable Transit Oriented Development Remnant Parcels Technical Consultant RFP# OPCD-11-22-2023 Addenda_QA_RFP

Item #

Date Received

Date Answered

Proposer’s Question

City’s Answer

RFP Revisions

1

The City staff has identified a broken hyperlink within the RFP document. Please find the functional link below:

• Page 5, draft summary of the ETOD definition, vision and values can be found at: https://seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OPCD/OngoingInitiatives/ETODSummary2023.pdf

No Changes

2

The City staff has identified a broken hyperlink within the RFP document. Please find the functional link below:

• Page 9, f. The City of Seattle Application for a Business License and additional licensing information can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/city-finance/business-taxes-and-licenses/business-licenses

No Changes

3

The City staff has identified a broken hyperlink within the RFP document. Please find the functional link below:

• Page 9, g. You can find Business License Application help at: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/Default_FileLocal.aspx

No Changes

4

The City staff has identified a broken hyperlink within the RFP document. Please find the functional link below:

• Page 12, Federally certified DBE’s are listed at: https://omwbe.wa.gov/directory-certified-businesses

No Changes

5

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Recording of the Pre-Submittal meeting is available here.

No Changes

6

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Can the RFP clarify whether the visual representations for parcels mentioned include sketches during typology or classification creation, and if so, what level of detail is expected, such as architectural-style renderings, basic GIS illustrations, or high-level representations for potential future uses?

In this initial phase, the focus is not on site-specific details, and producing architectural renderings with that level of specificity might not be beneficial. Instead, the emphasis is on conceptual and visual representations, including illustrations or schematics that provide a broad understanding. The goal is to convey information at a conceptual level. A key consideration is whether the visual representations have enough detail to facilitate comprehension for the Place-Based Groups (Delridge and CID) stakeholders, and the Community Advisory Group. The intention is to provide a conceptual understanding of typologies for an audience that may not have planning expertise without delving into architectural-level specifics.

No Changes

7

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Is the inquiry centered on the nature of the final deliverable, specifically whether we should anticipate a highly visual document for public consumption or if it should lean more towards being an internal technical report? This clarification will assist us in understanding the preferred format and guide us in providing relevant examples for your consideration.

Yes, we envision the final deliverable incorporating both highly visual elements and a technical report. The significance of this approach lies in the understanding that the process itself is integral to the work. Translating complex planning concepts into accessible language is crucial for enabling meaningful input from our Community stakeholders. Visuals that support feedback from the Community Advisory Group and Place-Based Groups are essential for garnering buy-in and support. Simultaneously, we acknowledge the inherently technical nature of aspects such as land acquisition and issues surrounding Community uses. Therefore, a blend of both visual components and technical details will be most useful. Recognizing that different firms may excel in various capacities, some being more experienced in technical aspects and others in translating into plain language, we see the value in bridging both. In essence, our approach at ETOD involves serving as a bridge between city government processes and facilitating meaningful community participation to guide outcomes. We appreciate the consideration of this dual nature in the final deliverable.

No Changes

8

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Are there any expectations regarding the number of different typologies and scenarios? Even if it's just a rough estimate, do you have a sense of the range you anticipate being part of this process? This would be helpful for us to consider when estimating time and resource allocation.

While it's premature for us to specify a predetermined number of typologies, as the outcomes are largely driven by our Community stakeholders, we can provide some insights. It is important to note that the underutilized or public land around the alignments specified in the RFP is inherently challenging for large-scale developments. We don't anticipate typologies like a 100+ unit multifamily development. Instead, the focus is on how these parcels can genuinely benefit communities without becoming a burden. Historically, when Sound Transit expanded its system through South Seattle, remnant parcels were left undeveloped for years, posing challenges. The current process involves partnering with the city, and the outcomes are promising. Broadly, the goal is to ensure that parcels along the West Seattle and Ballard alignments don't burden or create blight in neighborhoods heavily impacted by the light rail investment, especially those at the highest risk of displacement. While we hesitate to provide a specific number of typologies, I hope this clarifies the focus on excluding large housing developments and emphasizes the goal of avoiding negative impacts on valuable neighborhood spaces.

No Changes

9

12/11/2023

12/26/2023

When reviewing the RFP, we had the impression that there might be around 5 to 8 typologies for parcels and potentially 5 to 10 different uses tested in various scenarios. Is this accurate in terms of the project's goal, where scenarios and uses are tested, and then we match them with typologies to determine their alignment? Could you clarify if this assumption aligns with the project's expectations?

As city staff we believe up to 10 typologies seems about right. As the outcomes are largely driven by our Community stakeholders we believe this number will be dependent on their input.

No Changes

10

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Do you have any insights into the criteria for defining the delineation of neighborhoods? For example, the perspective of walkability. What are your considerations regarding how far individuals should walk to access the stations or a remnant parcel?

Access to transit is often defined as within a half mile of the station. Please note that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is also involved in a portion of this ETOD grant. Specifically, they are focused on station access and enhancements to the public realm, emphasizing walking and biking connections to the light rail stations. The definition of transit access is subject to change, and we will defer to SDOT as well as the Community stakeholders in definitions of walksheds and other modes of connectivity to remnant parcels and/or stations.

No Changes

11

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Are you envisioning the assessment of bike lanes and sidewalks around the remnant parcels or within the station area? Do you anticipate that the consultant should develop transportation model independently, or would you prefer to provide one to ensure consistency in our considerations and decisions?

We believe it would be most fitting for our community stakeholders to provide insight into this question. We aim to empower our communities to express how they navigate, how the system serves them, and areas where it falls short. We are intentionally redirecting our focus to the agency of our communities in shaping transportation definitions based on their experiences and needs.

No Changes

12

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

When it comes to determining the limit of typologies, who ultimately makes the decision? Recognizing that there's a practical limit to the number we can consider, who takes the lead in making the call on which typologies to incorporate?

Do you have any insights or ideas on how to navigate this aspect of the decision-making process.

To provide additional context regarding the Community Advisory Group (CAG) process, we are concurrently initiating an RFP to identify a facilitator for the CAG. This facilitator will play a pivotal role in convening the group, with a primary focus on trust-building and designing a process built on that foundation.

It's important to note that many CAG members represent communities historically impacted by disinvestment and various public infrastructure projects. They bring a valuable perspective on the shortcomings of past efforts to achieve equitable transit-oriented development. Initiating the process involves actively empowering their voices. The CAG serves as a leadership development opportunity for younger individuals and those who haven't traditionally participated in these decision-making forums.

While we firmly believe that the Community stakeholders will determine the number of typologies, the goal is not to unnecessarily constrain their input. In the ETOD strategy and implementation plan, our objective is to support Community priorities. As we approach the end of the process and shift towards implementation discussions, the challenge will be aligning priorities with available resources. However, it's crucial to emphasize that our role at OPCD is not to instruct the Community to minimize their requests. Instead, our focus is on empowering their priorities, substantiating them with technical and planning analysis, and supporting their implementation when the time is right. Our approach is balancing flexibility with strategic support for Community-driven priorities.

No Changes

13

12/11/2023

12/26/2023

What types of exercises you find valuable for achieving Community consensus? Have the stakeholders, including the Place-Based Groups, and the Community Advisory Group, been through specific exercises or practices in the past to help them prioritize values, particularly in map-related or map-enabled discussions?

The facilitator for the Community Advisory Group (CAG) will play the role in convening the group and deciding on the best approaches for decision making.

No Changes

14

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Could you provide more insight into your vision for the project management structure on this initiative? It seems you'll be holding the contract, yet the Community Advisory Group is anticipated to function as the primary decision-making body. I'm curious to learn more about how you envision facilitating collaboration and coordination within this framework.

Project management styles can vary among different consultants, and we aim to accommodate those differences to determine the most effective approach for the team. We are enthusiastic about collaborating with the selected consultant and we are committed to flexibility, sharing knowledge, and offering our time and information. We are prepared to contribute to the design and co-creation of a process that suits everyone involved.

Regarding the Community Advisory Group (CAG) and the facilitator, the facilitator is expected to join around March, following some delays due to technical issues. To tailor the process, City staff will conduct one-on-one meetings with CAG members in January and February, discussing their challenges, opportunities, and working styles. The compiled information will be provided to the facilitator, who will then design their process accordingly. Coordination will be crucial between the facilitator, the remnant parcels consultant, and the CID technical consultant, ensuring regular checkpoints for all three consultants, as well as city staff. We believe that project management is heavily influenced by personality and skill set, and we've allowed sufficient flexibility to design a process that suits both the consultant and staff.

No Changes

15

12/11/2023

12/11/2023

Is there an interest in considering the economic aspects of the remnant parcels, specifically exploring how they could contribute to economic development? Would the evaluation of the economics of different typologies be part of the considerations for the project, in terms of their potential economic contribution or value to the neighborhoods?

The determination of value will be guided by our Community stakeholders. If they express an interest in an economic analysis, then that would be a consideration.

It's worth noting that conducting economic analyses is a valuable skill set, and it could enhance the strength of a proposal. However, we recognize that economic analyses involve assumptions, and aligning those assumptions with the values voiced by our Community Advisory Group and stakeholders is critical. Despite the complexities, exploring the economic angle is certainly an important avenue to consider.

No Changes

16

12/26/2023

The deadline for questions has been extended to January 18, 2023. The deadline for submitting RFP responses has been extended to February 4, 2024, as a result of the technical review of the RFP to ensure Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliance. It is important to note that there are no alterations to the original scope of the RFP.

Interviews for the proposals will take place between February 29 and March 2, 2024. The announcement of the winning proposer is scheduled for March 9, 2024.

Modifications have been indicated in the RFP document.