Comprehensive Master Plan Consulting Services

The Vendor is required to provide comprehensive master plan consulting services.
- Consulting firm or team that possesses extensive experience in city planning, community development, sustainability, public participation, transportation planning, economic development and marketing strategies, community branding and wayfinding signage
- The consultant shall organize and lead the community consensus planning efforts through a series of public workshops and meetings with city stakeholders, community leaders to identify planning and development goals and objectives
- The planning process should also consider the local economy, business atmosphere, industry forecast, future land uses, demographics, natural growth, and development trends in the region.
- Infrastructure - incorporate the current infrastructure in place and recommend goals, policy, and action items for future infrastructure to include capital improvements plan update; address growth management strategies as it relates to infrastructure, as well as projections for needed items; emphasis on low impact development will also be included as it relates to storm water systems, ponding, public lighting and landscaping.
- Multimodal transportation systems - review current street and pedestrian networks and proposed projects and create strategies for pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to parks, open space; this includes internal city streets, sidewalks, trails, and public transit networks; coordination with county, county area council of governments, and state department of transportation, among others as may be necessary.
- Current and future land use - develop realistic population projections and build-out scenarios utilizing preferred land-use patterns for the city and; the build-out scenarios shall include land use projections, population densities, development phasing models, and infrastructure improvements as required; take into consideration development and land use of the new city international business park;  review, analyze and provide the land use and development goals, policy and action items of the plan and refine as needed to account for shifting demographics and vision of the community; consider land values and underutilized property; deliverable includes a future land use map.
- Facilities - review and analyze the needs for community facilities including a pool and athletic fields and courts based on population, demographic projections, and regional gaps and demands; also, review all city office and maintenance facilities to ensure proper alignment and best use of dated buildings and structures; consider possible need for new city mixed use property / buildings for use and economic opportunities.
- Parks, trails, and open space - review and analyze the need for more parkland based on population and demographic projections; review and update the city’s current development standards and make recommendations for how to increase parks, open spaces, and walking trails to meet the needs of various types of users and abilities.
- Sustainability - focus should be made on integrating sustainable practices throughout the plan elements; additionally, goals or policy recommendations should be put forth that make the city more sustainable such as building/architectural standards, renewable energy, storm water management, water conservation, and waste minimization; provide recommendations for sustainable and resilient development practices.
- Branding plan: review and analyze the current use of the city logo. consider the impact of the yearly light-up event and its notoriety   create a distinct, unique and recognizable identity for the city  apart from surrounding communities and establish a strong sense of place using either a new or building on the existing brand concept and logo; analyze “first impression” gateways and entry areas; should consider ways to position residential, commercial and business districts as premier destinations; embrace the city’s heritage and charm while promoting new thoughts about business development.
- Wayfinding and signage plan: create design standards for policy, design criteria, and graphics to provide guidance to the city as signage is implemented and a site plan for multi-modal and multi-destination wayfinding systems;  recommend signage and design for gateway points to welcome and guide visitors from major entrance points into and within the city toward schools, parks, recreational amenities, city hall, and city police and fire; establish standards for citywide wayfinding signage that is reflective of the city’s character and specific neighborhood identity.
- Regional markets and trends:  review and analyze regional market conditions and trends for the state, specifically for the commercial, office, hotel and retail opportunities along in 35.
- Public participation - as part of the plan process, the city desires to place a major emphasis on community engagement; the city considers the comprehensive master plan a foremost opportunity to engage the public and involve them in formulating a plan that truly belongs to the community and implements these values; the proposed public engagement strategy must include the latest technologies and be full accessible, creative, inclusive, efficient, and reliable with the goal of channeling this input into realistic alternatives for consideration by the public.

- Contract Period/Term: 5 years