Colfax
Avenue:
Denver’s
Original
Main
Street
AConceptual
MasterStreetscape
DesignPlan
ARequestForProposal
January25,2016
ProposalsdueFebruary19,2016
TableofContents
ARequestForProposal..........................................................................................................1
1. Summary..............................................................................................................................................................................2
2. Background.........................................................................................................................................................................2
3. ProposalGuidelines.........................................................................................................................................................4
4. ProjectPurpose&Description....................................................................................................................................4
5. ProjectScope......................................................................................................................................................................6
6. RequestforProposalandProjectTimeline...........................................................................................................8
7. FeeProposal........................................................................................................................................................................9
8. Budget....................................................................................................................................................................................9
9. ProposalContents............................................................................................................................................................9
10. ProposalEvaluationCriteria..................................................................................................................................10
11. ProposalFormatandLength..................................................................................................................................10
1. Summary
TheColfaxBusinessImprovementDistrict(CBID)isnowacceptingproposalsforaMaster
StreetscapeDesignConceptualPlan.
Weareseekinganinter-disciplinaryteam(urbandesign,graphicdesign,landscape
architecture,etc.)toprovideprofessionalservicestoprepareaconceptualmasterplanfor
thecorridoranditsvarioussub-areas.Thismasterplanwillguidealldesignand
treatmentsforourDistricttobephasedinoverthenextfewyears.Therefore,weare
interestedinaconceptualplanthatincludesbothshort-andlong-termstrategies
includingtheapproximatecostsforimplementationandyearlymaintenance.Our
ultimateobjectiveistoclearlydefinethecharacterofColfaxAvenue,itsunique
businesses,thelocalflavor,andourself-madeattitude–allofwhichexistadjacentto
theStateandCity“hubs”oflegislativepower,thedowntowncorporatemarketplace,
andhistoricneighborhoods.
2. Background
AboutColfaxBusinessImprovementDistrict(CBID)
CBIDwascreatedin1989andcomprisesanareaalongColfaxAvenuefromthealleyjust
westofGrantStreettothealleyjusteastofJosephineStreetandfromthenorthsideof14th
Avenuetothesouthsideof16thAvenue.Sinceourinceptionwehaveworkedwiththe
businessandpropertyownerstocreateasenseofplaceforourcommercialcorridor.Some
ofoureffortsincludeinstallingpedestrianstreetlightswithhangingbanners,andplanting
treestoimprovethestreetenvironment.
ColfaxDynamics
Approximately15,000peoplelivewithinashortwalk(one-halfmile)ofColfaxbetween
BroadwayandYorkStreets.TheCityhasstudiedtransportationmodesandenhancements
forseveralyearsandwillembarkonbuildingtheinfrastructureforBusRapidTransit
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(BRT)“soon.”CurrentlythebussystemalongColfax(the15and15L)transports22,000
peopleeachweekdayand7millioneachyear.Thisvolumeisanticipatedtoincreaseto
over40,000dailyperson-tripsby2035.WhileMainStreetzoninghasbeenhelpful,the
streetisnotparticularlypedestrian-friendlyanditiscertainlydifficulttocrossColfaxin
places.
Theavenuecurrentlyhasgreat“bones”initsmainstreetfeel,thepedestrianlightsand
banners,thearchitecture,andvarietyofbusinesstypes.It’sanunpretentiousand
unfilteredplace,comfortableforallwalksoflife.But,therearefewstreet-sidepatios
becausemostofthesidewalksarequitenarrowandthetrafficisheavyandloudfor
comfortableconversationswhenrelaxingonapatio.Thelackofsidewalkspacealsomakes
streetscapingwithtrees,plants,art,andtrashreceptaclesabitofachallenge.
Also,thereisnoclearbeginningandendtotheDistrict’scorridor.Withinourlongand
narrowDistrictwehave“subareas”thatareeachahalfdozenorsoblocksinlengthand
characterizedbysimilaractivityofthebusinesses.Forexample,the“MusicVenue”areaof
theFillmoreAuditoriumandOgdenTheaterrangesfromClarksontoOgdenandthereisa
smallervenuemusicareabetweenVineandWilliamsthat’shometotheLion’sLair,The
Squire,andwhereIllegalPete’swillopeninApril2016.TheareafromColumbineto
Gaylordisbecomingmoreofa“culturalcampus”withthesmallboutiqueshopsofStudio
Colfax,CaféMax,AbendArtGallery,AUMFraming,theEastHighSchoolArtsWalk,andthe
under-constructionRecreationCenter.TheareawhereParkAvenuemeetsColfaxincludes
afewplacestoeat,thefunkyVoodooDonuts,atattooparlor,skateboardshop,pub,thrift
storeandmore–arealdistinctcoupleofblocks.And,thefourthkeysub-areaisadjacentto
theStateCapitolatGrantStreetwherethereisarealhubofgovernmentalandcultural
activityaroundCivicCenterPark.
OursectionofColfaxisthestoriedsouloftheCity–it’sbeenthatwayformorethana
centuryandit’spartofourhistorythatwewanttoenhance.Installingdistinct“gateways”
attheentrancesoftheDistrictneedtocapturethischaracterandwewantaunifyingvisual
themethroughout.Eachsubareacouldalsohaveitsown“subtheme.”
ColfaxHistory
ColfaxAvenue,formerlycalled,“TheGoldenRoad,”and“GrandAvenue”inreferencetothe
goldrushthatbroughtprospectorstoColoradointhemid-19thcenturyandtheelitewho
builttheirmansionsalongtheGrandAvenuehasaveryinterestinghistory.Inthe1970’s,
PlayboymagazinecalledColfaxthe“longest,wickedeststreetinAmerica”–and,therestill
remainpocketsof“wicked”onthestreet.Allthisandmoreadduptoaplacethatis
beautiful,strong,andflawed.ThoseofusthatcallColfaxhomehaveatremendousamount
ofprideinlivingandworkingonColfax.
WhileColfaxisthemosticonicstreetinColorado,itdoeshavebothperceivedandreal
challengesrelatedtosafetyandcrime.Ourwesternmostsectionabutswhatmanywould
considerthe“centerofgravity”forDenver–wheretheStateCapitolandCivicCenterPark
areanchorsforthefantasticarchitectureofmuseumsandthepubliclibrary.Enteringour
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BIDfromthisareashouldbeasmoothandwelcomingtransition.Unfortunately,whereour
BIDmeetswiththeCapitolandCivicCenterParkisa“hotspot”ofinappropriatestreetlife.
3. ProposalGuidelines
ThisRequestforProposal(RFP)representstherequirementsforanopenandcompetitive
process.Proposalswillbeaccepteduntil4:00pmMSTFebruary19,2016.Anyproposals
receivedafterthisdateandtimewillnotbeconsidered.Anofficialagentorrepresentative
ofthecompanysubmittingtheproposalmustbethesignatory.Allsubmittedproposalswill
getanemailtoconfirmyourproposalwasreceived.
Iftheorganizationsubmittingaproposalmustoutsourceorcontractanyworktomeetthe
requirementscontainedherein,thismustbeclearlystatedintheproposal.Additionally,
costsincludedinproposalsmustincludeanyoutsourcedorcontractedwork.Any
proposalsthatcallforoutsourcingorcontractingworkmustincludeanameand
descriptionofthesubcontractingorganizations.
Costsmustbeitemizedtoincludeanexplanationofallfeesandcosts.
Contracttermsandconditionswillbenegotiateduponselectionofthewinningbidderfor
thisRFP.AllcontractualtermsandconditionswillbesubjecttoreviewbytheCBID’slegal
counselandwillincludescope,budget,schedule,andothernecessaryitemspertainingto
theproject.
4. ProjectPurpose&Description
Projectpurpose
ChallengesandopportunitiesareintricatelyconnectedonColfaxandthesuccessful
proposalwilladdressboth.Ourchallengesarethatwedon’thavealotof“dirt”–or,space
todevelopbecauseofawidestreetandshallowlots.Wealsohavelegacyproblemsof
crime(mainlydrugdealing)atcertainintersections.Theopportunitiesincludebeingthe
hometotheoriginal“mainstreet”inDenverwithadensepopulation(andgettingdenser),
andmixofhousingtypes,incomes,agesofresidents,andactivities.Wealsohaveavery
loyalandenthusedconstituencythatlovesColfaxAvenueandwantstohelpmakeitbetter.
Oncecompleted,CBIDexpectsthattheMasterStreetscapeDesignPlanis“shelfready”–it
mustbea“roadmap”forplanningfutureimprovementsandsufficientlypositionusfor
capitalimprovementfundingthroughCitybondissuesinadditiontoregularfundingcycles
fromvariouscityagencies.Werequirethatthefinalproductwillincluderealisticestimates
ofthecostsfora)building/installingthedesignelements,andb)theyearlymaintenance
newlyinstalleddesigncomponents.Fordesignelementsthatrequireannualmaintenance,
weencouragethecost-effective,environmentallysustainable,andsimplemaintenance
strategies.
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TheplanshouldalsoidentifywaysinwhichtheCBIDcanaddressissuesofcrimethrough
strategiessuchascrimepreventionthroughenvironmentaldesign(CPTED).Conversely,we
donotwantourtacticstosimulatea“bunker”mentality.Attheendoftheday,thefinal
planwillcreateabeautifulsenseofplaceforourcommunity.
Projectdescription
ThestreetscapedesignplanfortheDistrictshoulddefinemultipleprojectsthatcouldbe
fundedthroughfutureCityofDenvercapitalimprovementfunds,grants,bondissuesor
federaltransportationfunds–or,withthecostestimatesprovidedforeachelementofthe
plan,thattheBIDmighttakeasectionoftheplanandself-fund.TheDistrictintendsto
buildoutsectionsoftheplanoverthecourseoffivetotenyearsasweattractsufficient
funds.Wearealsodeliberateaboutinstallingprojectsthatdonotrequiremuch/anyannual
fundingformaintenanceoffutureimprovements.
Theplanningeffortwillincludecoordinationwiththecity’sCommunityPlanningand
Development,PublicWorks,andOfficeofEconomicDevelopmentdepartments,the
RegionalTransportationDistrict,andColoradoDepartmentofTransportation.TheCBID
communitydirectorwillmanagetheconsultantteam,withpolicydirectionfromtheCBID
boardofdirectorsandastakeholdergroupthatwilllikelyincluderepresentativesfrom
differentCityagenciesmentionedaboveplusArts&Venues,property/businessesowners,
andresidents.
Planningwillfocusonimprovementstosidewalksandotherpublicright-of-wayareasin
theDistrict.Specialattentionshallbeplacedonthefoursub-areas(GranttoPearl,the
“musicvenuedistrict”ofClarksontoOgden,ParkAvenueandColfaxintersection,andRace
toJosephine)andhowColfaxconnectstotheadjoiningneighborhoods.Wewantastreet
thatcreatesasenseofplaceandiseasilyaccessiblybyfoot,bike,andpublictransitin
additiontoautomobiles;aplacewherepeoplewanttolingerand“peoplewatch”;and,an
avenueinwhichthebusinessandresidentialinterestsareentwinedlikestrandsinthe
DNAhelix.Elementsoftheplanshouldinclude:
• Guidancedocumentsthat:
• Createavisionforthecharacterandfunctionalityofthe
streetscape
• OutlinetheBID’sownprogrammingandinvestmentsin
structuralchangestothestreetscape
• SpecifywhattheCity’spoliciesandinvestmentsshouldberelated
topedestrian,bicycle,transit,zoning,parking,etc.thatsupport
theBID’svision
• Amenities
• Landscaping:treesandplants
• Furniture:benches,busshelters
• Publicart
• Transportation
• Integrateexistingandfuturepublictransitfacilities:construction
fortheBRTwillbeginin2019/2020andRTDwillbeginnewbus
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shelterconstructionthatcomportswithFederalrequirementsfor
BRTsheltersin2017
• Evolvetowards“CompleteStreets”inordertoa)bestcreatea
senseofplace;b)providesafeandefficientmobilityfor
pedestriansandbicyclists;andc)incorporatetheprinciples,
objectives,andgoalsoftheCity’sDenverMovesplan
• Enhancecross-corridorconnectivity,whichenergizesthe
corridorandlinksadjacentamenitiesandfacilities
Pedestrian&bikeinfrastructure
• Sidewalkenhancements,buffers,etc.
• Bikeracksoff-streetandinparkingspaces,andthatare
functionalandcreative
• Identifyneededcrosswalklocations
• Pedestriansignagebyworkingwiththecommitteetoidentify
majorlandmarksandareasthatpeoplewalktomostfrequently
Identity
• Createandreinforcetheuniqueciviccharacterandidentityof
thisgatewaydistrict,adestinationplacewithasenseofarrival
andcommunity–forexample,archwaysattheeasternand
westernbordersofthedistrict,andpotentiallyattheParkAve&
ColfaxAveintersection
• Recognizethevarietyanddiversityofeachofthesignaturesubareaswithinthedistrict,eachwithitsownpersonalityand
character
• Establishuniqueandspecialbrandingandpublicenhancements
forthedistrictanditsvarioussub-areas
SafeandfriendlyenvironmentbyimplementingCrimePrevention
ThroughEnvironmentalDesign(CPTED)elements
Financing
• Createaplanthatcana)bephasedinoverseveralyearsas
fundingisavailable,andb)enticeandleveragegovernmentand
privatesectorinvestment
• Indicatethebestorderforimplementingthesuggestedelements
oncethemasterstreetdesignconceptualplaniscompletedand
asfundingbecomesavailable
• Includeestimatedcostsformaintenanceofbuiltoutelementsto
guideCBIDfinancialplanninginfuturebudgets
Continueandbuild-uponthetransformationeffortsinthedistrict
Enticeandencourageamixofbusinessesthatattractsvisitorstotheareaaswell
asservingthe15,000-plusresidentswithinashortwalkofColfaxAvenue
5. ProjectScope
ExistingConditionsAnalysis
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ReviewpreviousColfaxrelatedstreetstudies,neighborhoodplans,corridorplans,
cityplans,zoning
TalkwithandreviewotherColfaxBID(Colfax-Mayfair,Bluebird,WestColfax)and
CherryCreekNorthBIDdesignplansrecentlycompleted
Reviewtransportationpatternstodetermineauto,transit,andpedestrianandbicycle
circulation
CreateareliablebasemapusingGISinformation/existingstreetsections,plans,
profiles,etc.
Inventoryofexistingconditions,streetscapes,urbandesigncomponents(landmarks,
sub-areas,edges,gateways,views,connections,places,etc.)
PhotosurveyoftheexistingcharacterofColfax–boththepublicrealmprivate
properties,andhistoricareas
Identifyissuesandopportunityareas
PublicOutreach&Engagement
Outreachandengagementshouldincludearepresentativecross-sectionoftheColfax
regionincludingpublicsectoragencies,propertyandbusinessowners,andmembersof
thecommunity.This“stakeholdergroup”shallbeinvolvedatthecriticalstagesofthe
projectdevelopmentandincludeapproximatelyfourstakeholdermeetingsspanningthe
beginning,middle,andendoftheprocess.Weexpectthisgrouptoprovideinputfrom
theirperspectivesandrelationshiptoColfaxAvenue.
WealsofeelitisimportanttoreporttothebroaderColfaxcommunitybeyondthe
stakeholdergroup.Thisbroaderoutreachshouldoccurinamannerthatprovidesan
opportunityinthemiddleoftheprocesstosolicitfeedback,andattheendofthe
processtopresentresults.Toengageandsolicitinputfromthesediversestakeholders
mayrequiresomecreativityandinnovativetools.
Thesuccessfulorganization/firmwillberesponsiblefordocumentingpublicinputas
partofthefinalplan.CBIDstaffwillcoordinateoutreachlogistics,communication,enewsletter/survey,websiteandFacebookpagecommunicationsandoutreach.
Develop,Test,andEvaluateAlternatives
Defineavisionandkeyobjectivesthatwillguidethedevelopmentandevaluationof
severalalternativesforeachfocusarea.Amaximumofthree(3)conceptualscale
drawingsand/ordesignoptionsforanoverallColfaxcharacter/amenities/branding
program,andforthefour“sub-areas”mentionedintheprojectdescription,above.
SelectandRefineaPreferredAlternative
Developandselectthepreferredalternativeandrecommendationsaddressingthe
proposedphysicalimprovementsinthedistrictwithassistanceandguidancefromthe
stakeholdergroup.Thefinalalternativewillinclude:
• Visionstatement
• Keyurbandesignprincipalsandconcepts
• ApreferredconceptualdesignforanoverallColfaxcharacter/brandingprogramalong
withpreferredoptionsforselectedkeysub-areas
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Scaledrawingsandbasicstreetsectionsandspecificdesigns/feasibilityforeachsubarea(10-15%design)
DevelopamenuofkeyelementstobeusedinachievingtheoverallColfax
characterobjectives,andthekey“sub-area”characterobjectives
• Gateway features might include arches at each end of the district that entice
peopletoenterourdistrict
• Corridorandsub-areabranding
• Way-finding+identitysignage
• Additionalstreetscape/publicrealmamenities/publicart
• Special urban design elements such as sidewalks with “stamps” of the crossstreetnames,bulb-outs,uniquecrosswalks,andotherelementsthatimproveand
enhancethepedestrianenvironment
Provideline-itemcostestimatesforthemenuofkeyurbandesignelementsusedina
typicalColfaxblock,a“phase-in”financingplan,potentialfundingsources,an
estimateofannualmaintenancecosts,andrepresentativeexampleofasub-area
blockincluding,providinganaggregateoftheorderofmagnitudecostestimatesfor
themenuofelements
FinalProduct
Consultantswillprovideafinalproductwithdetailedplananddesignsinbothprinted
anddigitalformatsothatCBIDcandistributethemswiftlytoboardmembersandother
stakeholders(PDFfordocument,JPGfordesigns).
Biddersshouldincludeanyadditionaltasksanddeliverablesnecessarytofulfillthe
visionofthisRFP.
ProjectLeadershipandCommunicationsFrequency
TheRFPshallidentifytheprojectteamleaderandleadarchitect.Theymaybethesame
personandtheywillworkcloselywiththeCBIDCommunityDirector,FrankLocantore
andanyotherCBIDdesignatedperson.Whentheprojectbegins,thearchitectandCBID
willmeetbyphoneorinpersononaweeklybasistostartandsubsequentlyscaleback
thefrequencytoeverytwoweeksandthenmonthlyoncetheprojectison-track.The
architectwillberesponsibleforleadingthesemeetingstoa)demonstrateprogress,b)
askclarifyingquestionstoensurethattheprojectstaysfocused,ontime,andonbudget.
6. RequestforProposalandProjectTimeline
TheColfaxBusinessImprovementDistrict(CBID)hasissuedarequestforprofessional
servicesfortheConceptualMasterStreetscapeDesignPlan.ProposalsaredueFebruary
26,2016nolaterthan4:00MST,andshouldbeemailedtoFrankLocantore
atfrank@colfaxave.comwiththeSubjectline:“StreetscapeDesignProposal”thenyour
firm’sname.QuestionsabouttheRFPareduebyFebruary15,2016andallquestionswith
theiranswerswillbepostedonourwebsiteatwww.colfaxave.comwithalinkonthe
homepage.SubmitallquestionsbyemailtoFrankLocantoreatfrank@colfaxave.com
withtheSubjectline:“Question-RFP.”
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SelectionSchedule*
AdvertiseRFP
DeadlinetoSubmitQuestions
January25,2016
February15,2016
[Questionsshouldbesubmittedbyemailto:
FrankLocantore,frank@colfaxave.com]
SubmittalsDue4:00p.m.MountainTime
February19,2016
Evaluationofproposals
Feb22–Mar4,2016
ShortListedFirmsandScheduleInterview
March7–11,2016
Firmselected&notified
March25,2016
CompleteContractNegotiations
April8,2016
Workbeginsonorbefore
April25,2016
Finalreportdue
October28,2016
AllfundsmustbespentanddocumentedbyDecember1,2016.
*Note:Alldatesaretentativeandsubjecttochange.
7. FeeProposal
FinalistsshallalsosubmitaFeeProposalafterbeingselectedforaninterview.By
submittingaFeeProposal,itwillbeunderstoodthattheCBIDmay,atitsoption,holdthe
selectedfirmtoanyorallofthestatedfeeproposalpriceswithoutnegotiation.The
selectedfinalistsshallsubmittotheCBIDCommunityDirectorthefollowinginformation
aspartofitscomprehensiveFeeProposal.
1. Thevalueoftheworkoftheorganization/firmandallthesub-consultantsshall
beestimatedanddetailedbasedontheScopeofWorkandtasksdescribed
herein.
2. AspartoftheFeeProposalsubmittal,eachConsultantandSub-consultantshall
submitthehourlyratesofthedesignandmanagementpersonnelworkingonthe
project,andtheirestimatedtotalnumberofhoursontheoverallproject.
8. Budget
TBDbasedupontheproposal
9. ProposalContents
Biddersshouldprovidethefollowingitemsaspartoftheirproposalforconsideration:
• Companyinformation
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Descriptionofexperienceimplementingsimilarprojects.Providevisualsifpossible
Referencesfromclientsinvolvedinsimilarprojects
Capacitytomeetprojecttimelineandbudget
Anticipatedresourcesyouwillassigntothisproject(allteammembers,role,title,
experience)andresumesofkeystaffthatwillbeassignedtotheproject
ProjectmanagementapproachwithCBIDCommunityDirector,stakeholdergroup,
boardofdirectors,andbroadercommunity
Approachtocommunityidentity,publicoutreachandsustainability
Overallapproachtotheproject,includingtasksanddeliverables
Budgetwithitemizedcosts;includehourlyratesforkeystaff
Descriptionoffinalprojecttobedeliveredincludingvisualsandothermaterials
10. ProposalEvaluationCriteria
TheSelectionCommitteewillevaluateallproposalsbasedonthefollowingcriteria:
1) Qualifications:Istheorganization/firmandtheassignedstaffappropriateforthis
project?Haveshortdescriptionsofthequalificationsandexperiencebeensubmitted
forallstaff(andpotentialsubcontractors)thatwillbeworkingontheproject?
2) ProjectLeader:Istheskillsetandaccomplishmentsoftheprojectleaderagoodfit?
3) PastAccomplishments:Whatareexamplesofsimilarworksuccessfullycompletedby
theorganization/firm?
4) Approach:HowdoestheproposalsuitthecharacteranddynamicsoftheColfax
community’sneedsanddesires?
5) Organization:Howwilltheprojectbeorganizedfromcommencementtocompletion?
6) Value:Istheproposedfinalproductworththecostandisthereanindicationofhow
designelementsinasimilarprojecttheorganization/firmcompletedhavebeenphased
inovertimeoncemorefundingwasavailable?
7) Sustainability,Financial&Environmental:Cantheorganization/firmdemonstrate
experiencewithcreatingafinancialplanforphasing-inprojectelementsovertimethat
isinalignmentwiththeannualCBIDbudget?Aretheproposedelements
environmentallysoundorbeneficialandwhatisthepotentialreturnoninvestment?
8) CityKnowledge&Connections:Whatistheorganization’s/firm’sprovenabilitytowork
withCitygovernmentandagenciestoa)ensurethatdesignsandrecommendationsare
achievablewithexistingordinances,infrastructure,andregulations,andb)howmuch
cantheorganization/firmadvocateforfinancialassistancefromtheCityforfuture
capitalimprovementfunds,grants,bondissues,orfederaltransportationfunds?
11. ProposalFormatandLength
Pleaseprovideyourproposalelectronicallysothatwemayshareitwiththeselection
committeethroughemail.Itshouldbeinaformatwithaneasilyreadablefont,and,if
needed,canbeprintedon8.5”x11”paper.Doyourbesttokeeptheproposalconcise–a
30-pagemaximum.
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