24-034QP: Aurora Ave N Safety and Transit Access Improvements – Communications & Outreach (FTA)

Project Description:

The City of Seattle, through its Department of Transportation, SDOT, requests Statements of Qualifications for the Aurora Ave Project to provide strategic communication, agency coordination, stakeholder facilitation, and community engagement services in line with the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, including but not limited to, a commitment to engaging with diverse communities, communities of color, and low-income communities.

SDOT was awarded Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Equity Formula Funds to complete our corridor planning work. Building on previous planning, analysis, and outreach efforts, the purpose of this contract is to:

• Provide strategic communication, agency coordination, stakeholder facilitation, and community engagement services for the Aurora Ave Project.
• Support the completion of the Aurora Ave Corridor Planning Study as well as the development and implementation of interim spot safety improvements.
• Coordination with other consultant teams delivering planning and technical support service for the duration of the project.
• Forming and facilitating a community advisory committee to guide the development of the concept design for the corridor.

Aurora Ave N (SR 99) is one of the busiest streets in Seattle that connects people to their homes, businesses, services, and jobs. Aurora Ave N carries the region's highest ridership bus route, the RapidRide E Line, and is a critical freight corridor. Aurora Ave N is also one of the City's highest priorities from a safety perspective, with high rates of serious injury and fatal crashes that disproportionately affect people walking on the corridor. Many segments of the corridor need upgrades to basic infrastructure including sidewalks, lighting, pedestrian crossings, and drainage facilities.