Downtown Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia
Request for Proposals for
Streetscape Plan
Downtown Cartersville
Bartow County, Georgia
Issue Date: October 29, 2025
Inquiries and Proposals may be addressed to:
Downtown Cartersville
c/o Lillie Read, Executive Director
1 Friendship Plaza,
Cartersville, Georgia 30120
(770) 607-3480
Email: lread@downtowncartersville.org
Submittal Deadline Wednesday, December 3rd @ 4:00PM EST
Downtown Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia
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Downtown Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
Downtown Cartersville is located in Bartow County, Georgia, halfway between Atlanta and
Chattanooga. The city has a population of more than 25,000 residents and encompasses
approximately 28 square miles in area. Cartersville provides full government services including
Police, Fire, Utilities, Planning, Zoning, Economic Development, Parks, and Road Maintenance.
The City of Cartersville is looking to contract with a qualified vendor for a comprehensive
downtown streetscape plan, including community gateway and wayfinding design guidelines, as
well as associated implementation schedules and processes, as outlined in the specifications of
this Request for Proposal (RFP).
Background
The City of Cartersville sees value in evaluating current best practices affecting streetscape
design as well as opportunities to enhance downtown streetscapes to support and improve
the community’s sense of place.
The implementation of a comprehensive Streetscape Plan, alongside the continued growth and
development of the downtown district, will be a critical part of the city’s marketing and branding.
Furthermore, it will help the city solidify an image and identity which is representative of the city’s
history and uniquely shaped to further guide the community into the future.
Future Land Use and Current Environment
Appendix A of this document is Cartersville’s Future Land Use Map approved in 2020 as part of
the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The map has been modified to highlight the city’s major roadways
and thoroughfares, as well as major intersections, and roundabouts. In addition to the City’s
Comprehensive Plan, there is also a recently completed Downtown Master Plan which should
serve as a foundation for the requested Streetscape Plan.
SECTION 2 – PURPOSE
Recognizing the changing landscape of the community, there are opportunities to address high
traffic and key areas of the downtown district, which are central to the community and future
development initiatives.
Downtown Cartersville is seeking a consultant to develop a Streetscape Plan which includes
enhancement and implementation guidelines. The purpose of this is to bolster our community’s
marketing and branding by evaluating public infrastructure and possible improvements based on
the following:
• Creating new designs for wayfinding and gateway signage.
• Recommendations for new seasonal street banners.
Downtown Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia
• Upgrades to existing decorative street lighting, and recommendations for areas which
would benefit from having more street lighting.
• Creating attractive, welcoming, and accessible public areas that serve as public gathering
spaces and complement the diversity of surrounding land uses and the city and
downtown’s vision for future development.
• Streetscape and public space design that promotes increased pedestrian activity and
serves a variety of uses including retail, office, entertainment, dining, nightlife, public
parks, etc.
• Streetscape that promotes and preserves the unique qualities of the downtown district.
• A streetscape plan that incorporates various amenities and building materials that are
easily maintained, including simplicity of associated materials, and that can be kept clean
and in like-new condition, capable of withstanding routine maintenance and services.
• A comprehensive plan that can be implemented in a cost-effective manner, and in phases
if necessary.
• ADA accessibility.
The preparation of the design for the Streetscape Plan includes, but is not limited in scope to,
the following:
• Identify guidelines for GDOT acceptable gateway enhancement to I-75 and SR-113
overpasses/interchanges within the city which assists in establishing the community’s
identity and image.
• Identify improvements to strengthen the streetscape and community branding within the
downtown district and across the city.
• Identify other critical corridors within the city which would improve the overall appearance
of the downtown and help establish a more cohesive image of the community.
• Provide goals and objectives for the streetscape enhancement to primary and secondary
roadway connections along main thoroughfares.
Downtown Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia
SECTION 3 – SCOPE AND TIMELINE
Scope
The scope of work will be finalized between the city and the selected consultant prior to contract
authorization. Items to be included within the scope of work performed by the consultant may
include, but are not limited to, the ‘Services’ listed below.
• The successful bidder will provide a Streetscape Plan outlining the project’s vision, goals
and objectives, definitions, design standards and other applicable roadway enhancement
items, as required, for main thoroughfare and entryway points within the community.
• Format and publish the Streetscape Plan in an appealing and professional.
o The successful bidder will ensure the document is compatible for viewing in a
digital format.
o The document will be owned and editable by the City of Cartersville for any future
updates or amendments.
• Evaluate Site Requirements – including but not limited to, restrictions related to vehicular
and pedestrian circulation, parking, drainage, placement of amenities, governmental
regulations, and other opportunities and/or considerations
• Develop multiple conceptual layouts to accommodate for the following:
o Street/Light Pole Banners
o Gateway / Entryway Signage
o Crosswalks – enhanced signals, new midblock crosswalks, bump outs
o Roundabouts – landscape, hardscape, art, or other visual improvements to the
interior of roundabouts
o Landscaping – street trees, bio-swales, landscape beds
o Street Furniture – benches, public art, trash/recycling bins, planters and regulatory
sign standards
o Street Lighting – fixture and foot-candle analysis for light distribution and
installation
o Bike Amenities – bike rack, repair stations, enhanced usability
o Other Suggestions – the city welcomes the applicant to review the city existing
plans and implementation goals to suggest other low- hanging fruit that may
be easily implemented in the coming year.
This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.