Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Scott McCullough

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

Jonathan Douglass, Matt Bond, Shoeb Uddin, Britt Crum-Cano

Date:

January 26, 2012

RE:

Farmland Master and Sustainability Plan

February 2, 2012 City Commission Agenda

 

Introduction:

On September 29, 2010 the City of Lawrence acquired the former Farmland Industries nitrogen facility, an approximately 467-acre tract of ground on the east side of Lawrence.  More specifically, the site is located north of K-10 Highway and west of East Hills Business Park (2700 E. 23rd Street – formerly 1608 N. 1400 Road).  The City of Lawrence annexed the property in 2009.  The City intends to develop the property as a first class business park with municipal level services in place to allow for the timely sale/lease to businesses bringing jobs and tax base enhancement to the community.  The City intends to explore viable options for incorporating state-of-the-art sustainability values in the business park, including renewable and alternative energy, complete streets, green infrastructure, and amenities distinguishing the business park from other communities (master plan area map).

 

Current Farmland Status:

The City contracted with R. D. Johnson for the demolition of the structures on the Farmland site.  The demolition is complete (before/after pictures; remaining structures map).  Staff is currently reconciling final recycled steel quantities with the contractor for final payment. 

 

Staff has submitted a draft RD/RA (Remedial Design/Remedial Action) Plan for KDHE review/approval.  This plan sets out how the site will be managed, and improvements needed over the next few years.  Staff continues to provide the necessary monitoring/testing/reporting required by KDHE.

 

Finally, Public Works and Parks and Recreation crews are working on additional concrete removal, and this spring will work on improving the “curb appeal” of the K-10 frontage.  This work will include the removal of the existing slab foundations of the administration and the airco buildings, portions of the asphalt parking lot, and weed control along the fence line. 

 

Project Description/Selection/Interview Process:    

The City received nine (9) proposals from qualified professional firms expressing interest to develop a master plan, plat, and design/construction document for a new business park at the Farmland site.  The review/interview team included:  Michael Dever, Commissioner; David Corliss, City Manager; Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager; Scott McCullough, Planning Director; Charles Soules, Public Works Director; Britt Cum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator; and Matt Bond, Stormwater Engineer and Farmland Project Manager.

 

The committee selected six (6) firms to provide written responses to a list of questions to provide additional information on the various ideas, experience, sustainability issues, and master planning efforts.  The six firms selected and interviewed included: Bartlett & West;   TRC, Johnson Group, Treanor Architects, BG Consultants, and SK Design Group. 

 

 

 

The firms were evaluated on the following criteria: 

Commitment of staff

Ability to perform within timeframe

Past performance

Previous experience with similar work

Work commitment that could limit performance

Accessibility of firm’s office

Firm’s familiarity with project area

Firm’s knowledge of project procedures

Firm’s consideration of project problems/issues

Thoroughness of presentation

Communication issues

Ability to work with public

Professionalism, comfort level with firm

Overhead costs

The selection committee had lengthy discussions about firm’s ideas with respect to sustainable design, green energy alternatives, and flexibility of design. 

 

The committee recommended Bartlett & West/CDM for this project based upon their comprehensive approach which included their knowledge and research of the Farmland site, incorporation of sustainability options, and ability to execute infrastructure solutions for the property.  Bartlett & West showed its ability to incorporate sustainable design and green energy into the planning process and emphasized creative and flexible options related to the future development of the property.

 

At the City Commission meeting of December 6, 2011, the City Commission approved the selection of Bartlett & West/CDM and authorized staff to negotiate a contract for the performance of the master plan work.

 

City staff and Bartlett & West negotiated the attached scope of services.  The contract includes:

·         Business Park Master Plan concepts

·         Boundary Survey and Platting/zoning

·         Utility corridor planning, traffic impact study, and railroad spur analysis.

·         Intersection at K-10 (23rd Street) and O’Connell design, including signalization and construction plans.

·         Sustainability planning, including green energy potential analysis, evaluation of biomass, and solar energy potential.

·         Green stormwater infrastructure and water quality planning.

 

Public and Stakeholder Participation  

Staff will be coordinating a number of meetings with interested stakeholders in the planning process.  These include meetings with area property owners and neighborhood representatives, meetings with existing East Hills Business Park businesses, meetings with area economic development interests (Chamber, Douglas County, BTBC, KCADC, KDOC, etc.).  It will be very valuable to receive input and responses from these stakeholders and others as this property is planned for future redevelopment.  Meetings with interested parties concerning sustainability values, green energy opportunities will also be conducted.  Staff will also coordinate these efforts with the City’s EPA/NREL sustainability grant which will be underway in the coming months.  This grant provides technical support from the federal Department of Energy for analysis of possible green energy uses on this brownfield property.

 

Action Requested:

Authorize City Manager to enter into an agreement with Bartlett & West Engineering for the development of the Farmland Industrial Business Park Master Plan, K-10 and O’Connell intersection/signalization design, and evaluation of sustainable energy options and green infrastructure in an amount of $299,860.

 

 

Attachments:  Contract/Scope of Services

                   RFP 1108