RFP_Questions__Responses_Cemetery_Grant_1.31.25.Posted.docx

CITY OF GREENBELT

MASTER PRESERVATION PLAN FOR THREE GREENBELT HISTORIC

CEMETERIES

CONTRACT NO. 2025-01-R

January 31, 2025 Prepared by Terri Hruby, Director of Planning & Community Development

1. Where exactly are the boundaries and burials for the Hamilton Cemetery? Is locating that site through research and bushwhacking part of the RFP?

Response: The boundaries are unknown and locating the site is part of the RFP.

2. Are there plats or surveys of these three sites Response: The only survey/mapping data that the city is aware of is what is available at https://www.pgplanning.org/countywide-planning/historic-preservation/cemetery-survey which only identifies the general location of the cemeteries.

3. Have existing grave markers especially the native stone markers at Turner been mapped?

Response: No, they have not.

4. Has any geophysical survey like ground penetrating radar been done on any of these sites?

Response: Not that the City is aware of.

5. Please clarify is the structural engineers expected to evaluate gravestone/monument condition, or will they be responsible for evaluation of structural walls or building walls?

Response: Given budget constraints structural evaluation work can be limited to gravestone/monument conditions, but identification of any structural elements in the structural engineer’s professional opinion should be evaluated outside of the scope of the project should be identified.

6. What is the schedule?

Response: The City’s anticipated completion date is March 30, 2026 but there is some flexibility in this timeline per the terms of our grant agreement.

7. Is the city setting the schedule? Yes, although the City’s grant agreement requires the grant to be closed out by September 2026.

8. Is the project design budget for the design team consultants?

Response: The entire project budget is $70,000.

9. Is the $70,000 for the entirety of the project?

Response: Yes

10. Is it only the Turner Cemetery that we will have access too?

Response: The consultant team will have access to all the cemeteries.

11. Are you able to share available survey and topographic information on the cemeteries? ACAD is preferred, second choice is PDF.

Response: The City does not have any survey and topographic information. Prince George’s County does have some GIS data available for downloading, including topography at PGAtlas.com.

12. Are you able to share available cemetery layouts and size of each cemetery?

Response: This data is unavailable.

13. Under Code Review and Accessibility, is this limited to ADA issues, or is there another Code to review?

Response: The City is primarily interested looking for ADA issues, but best practices in terms of access to historic sites in general would be helpful since there is an historic tourism element to the project.

14. Does the city currently have a set of guidelines and procedures for cyclical maintenance (mowing, weed whacking, tree trimming, etc.) of the cemeteries?

Response: No. Maintenance is currently done on an as needed basis.

15. In regards to a tree inventory, does this include only the larger mature deciduous and evergreen trees in and around the cemeteries? Does this inventory also need to include assessments of these trees?

Response: The inventory can be limited to larger mature deciduous trees. An assessment of the trees is not mandated.

16. If only a small portion of our team could make an in-person interview, would other team members be able to attend the interview remotely?

Response: Yes

17. For the project kick-off meeting, would some of our team members be able to participate remotely?

Response: Yes

18. Other than the headstones in the outdoor glass cases, are there any other grave markers in the cemeteries?

Response: Reference has been made that there are six small stones located in Turner Cemetery, but the City is unsure as to the actual number of grave markers in the three cemeteries.

19. Have there been any surveys or mapping of the three cemeteries, if so, is that information available?

Response: Not that the City is aware of. M-NCPPC Historic Preservation staff have completed some draft work on preparing Maryland Inventory of Historic Property Forms for the three cemeteries and they will be shared with the selected consultant team.

20. Are all markers in situ, if not, is there an expectation for the contractor to conduct site visits of any markers in storage?

Response: Some markers are not in situ. Yes, it would be preferable that the contractor conduct site visits of any markers in storage.

21. If markers/stones are in storage, do you know how many and their current locations and their associated grave locations? Should stones/markers that are in storage be included in this Master plan for relocation?

Response: Markers/stones that were removed are being stored with the Greenbelt Public Works Department. The total number is believed to be six, some are not intact. Their associated grave locations are not necessarily known although there may be some information available. Yes, stones/markers that are in storage should be included in the Master plan for relocation. If not enough information exists for relocation, the city is seeking guidance on how best to preserve, store, and/or make them available for visitors/researchers.

22. Please clarify if an archaeological evaluation of each of the cemeteries is required as part of the Scope and what level of investigation is expected – is it expected to update the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP) form?

Response: Yes, an archaeological evaluation of each of the cemeteries is desired, ideally to level 2, though the City is seeking recommendations regarding more intensive investigation. The City would like guidance on if it should consider, say, an excavation.

23. Please clarify if a tree survey is required as part of the Scope or has a tree survey been completed previously and it is to be incorporated into the preservation plan?

Response: Please refer to question 15.

24. Clarify how many meetings is expected within the Scope and how many of those meetings will be in person versus virtual.

Response: The City anticipates a minimum of three public meetings and it is preferred that at least some members of the consultant team attend in person.

25. Are any deliverables to be printed and bound, if so, which ones and how many copies are required?

Response: Yes, the resulting master plan for the cemeteries would need to be printed and bound as well as be available in PDF form. At least five copies are required.

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