Statement_of_Work.pdf

EPA/GSA Technical Assistance

New Visions for Vacant Federal Land: Mobile, Alabama

Statement of Work

Background and Purpose

The General Services Administration (GSA) is building a new Federal courthouse in Mobile, AL, and will be renovating the existing historic courthouse, a project which is reduced in scope from previous court expansion plans for Mobile. Under the auspices of the previous scope, GSA acquired two adjacent downtown parcels on which to build the new court facilities. As a result of the reduced scope, GSA will no longer need one of the parcels in the long-term (although near-term use of the parcel as construction laydown will be necessary). In the next few years, GSA will declare the unused parcel to be “excess” and will begin a process of determining how to transfer ownership to another entity. In this transfer process, Federal, state, or local governments, educational institutions, or similar are generally eligible prior to a site being released for bid to the private sector.

This parcel’s location is between a picturesque historic residential neighborhood, the De Tonti Square

Historic District, and the downtown commercial business corridor, Dauphine Street. The parcel and its adjacent corridors are victims of urban renewal programs of past decades, characterized by a lack of development, with many surface parking lots, as well as a lack attractive wayfinding, pedestrian facilities and streetscaping. The parcel does, however, have two historic buildings, known as the

Hanna Houses, both of which are highly valued by the local community.

Great opportunity exists to leverage the Federal investment in a new courthouse and the disposition of the unneeded site into a catalyst for much-needed neighborhood improvements. Near-term planning and visioning by local stakeholders will position them well to take advantage of future development opportunities and to make those opportunities more attractive to potential developers through more consistent streetscaping and other improvements as identified by this technical assistance.

Through this technical assistance, EPA will work with GSA, local EPA staff and key stakeholders in downtown Mobile, Alabama. The goal of the project will be to identify potential investments on-site or on adjacent parcels and corridors that would use sustainable vision strategies to foster a strong sense of place and leverage the Federal investment in a courthouse into neighborhood improvements.

Sustainable vision strategies might include, but are not limited to:

‘Complete streets’ visioning options that serve all modes of transportation safely and effectively, including automobiles, pedestrians, bikes, and public transportation.

Aesthetically and functionally valuable landscape architecture visions for green infrastructure that result in both community and water quality benefits;

Well-designed public art and civic vision strategies that highlight the importance of these shared spaces for community identity;

Planning and vision strategies for better climate change adaptation and resiliency.

This place-based assistance will help EPA, GSA and the city of Mobile demonstrate how a sustainable approach to community vision and design can transform the site and its adjacent corridors into spaces that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors; address local, state, and federal regulatory requirements; and put public investment to its best and highest use. Furthermore, sustainable vision strategies can also enhance a community's environmental conditions and help revitalize neighborhoods, spurring additional economic and social benefits. Such strategies include street and public space design using innovative stormwater practices and sustainable green building techniques.

This work is modeled after EPA’s Greening America’s Capitals program, which is a project of the

Partnership for Sustainable Communities between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help state capitals develop an innovative and implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative green building and green infrastructure systems.

For more information about Greening America’s Capitals, please visit http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greencapitals.htm.

EPA will award a purchase order to the successful contractor to visit Mobile, AL, for an initial site visit, and again for a three (3) day vision charrette to complement the vision development for four (4) key locations (listed below) where the contractor will create “before and after” illustrations (one (1) per location). During the charrette, the contractor shall conduct several sessions that will provide an opportunity to develop detailed visuals and graphics (“vision options”) for the study area and connections to nearby locations, such as the historic De Tonti Square Historic District; the north-south connections from the GSA site to the Dauphine Street commercial corridor; and the North St. Louis

Street corridor that Mobile has identified as a potential technology corridor. The contractor shall also produce a limited final summary memorandum documenting the site assessment, , vision options, and ideas for implementation. This project will serve as a place-based pilot for other GSA actions around the country and may lead to changes in GSA policies and procedures to better utilize underutilized parcels to support sustainable growth in communities.

The project area for this technical assistance is comprised of a parcel in downtown Mobile, the size of one (1) city block. The parcel—bordered on the north by St. Anthony Street, the east by North

Conception Street, the south by St. Louis Street and the west by North Joaquim Street—is classified as a brownfield site and will need remediation in order to be redeveloped. The parcel is immediately adjacent to the site, also currently vacant, on which GSA will build a new courthouse while revitalizing an existing historic courthouse. The timeframe for the courthouse project is 3-5 years.

http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greencapitals.htm

During the courthouse construction, the parcel will be used as a construction staging ground, with the goal of having all items removed from the site around 2020. The historic row homes on the parcel are in poor condition and will not be used during construction. GSA is currently exploring the option of declaring that smaller parcel containing the homes “excess” and moving toward transferring that property to another entity through the disposal process earlier than the entire parcel.

The area is surrounded by an historic neighborhood on the north—the De Tonti Historic District, full of very attractive and well-maintained historic homes and supported by a well-organized neighborhood group—and the primary commercial corridor in Mobile—Dauphine Street—to the south. The parcel is directly between these two areas, providing a physical barrier between the residential neighborhood and the downtown commercial area that deters residents from walking from their homes to downtown for services, shopping and dining and deters visitors from heading north to appreciate the De Tonti

Historic District. The adjacent streets and sidewalks are not pedestrian-friendly, and suffer from blight and lack of development, missing tree canopy, and poor lighting. Additionally, while there appears to be ample parking in downtown Mobile, with numerous surface parking lots and several garages, the two parcels that GSA originally acquired for the courthouse project have been housing many employee parking spaces (over 100) and the removal of that parking once the courthouse is under construction and the remaining parcel declared excess, presents itself as a potential problem. There is some complete streets policy momentum in downtown Mobile, however, and parts of St. Louis Street are being redesigned to reduce vehicle lanes and increase sidewalk size, making them more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly while decreasing traffic speeds.

The expert team assembled for this project will explore a visioning plan for the site and adjacent corridors—focusing primarily on the vacant parcel that GSA will not use (surrounded by St. Anthony

Street, North Conception Street, St. Louis Street and North Joachim Street)—that helps increase connections between the business district to the south and the historic neighborhood to the north. The team will also look at the three street corridors that fan out from this parcel (listed below).

Additionally, the expert team will help the city address the 100+ parking spots that currently house the vehicles of Federal employees and that will be lost through the redevelopment of both parcels under GSA control, and help determine new strategies for handling both perceived and real parking challenges.

The four (4) locations the contractor will explore a vision for are:

1. Parcel surrounded by St. Anthony Street, North Conception Street, St. Louis Street, and North Joachim Street: This parcel is vacant and used as ad hoc parking for people working downtown. It has two historic homes that would need repairs in order to be brought up to code. The community is generally in favor of keeping the buildings, however, as they provide a direct visual connection to the historic neighborhood. The parcel is adjacent to another GSA-owned parcel, on which a courthouse is being built (to be completed 2020).

Example options for the parcel could include new buildings, open space or parkland, community meeting space, or mixed use facilities.

2. St. Louis Street between Franklin Street and St Joseph Street: This corridor borders on the vacant parcel on the south side and connects the parcel to an area of businesses and other commercial uses. The city has identified it as a potential technology corridor, and private development has started to occur near the west end of the corridor. The city has also painted bump outs at the corners as an experiment in reducing the street width. Bike lanes and sharrows have also been painted, not by the city, but through non-city sanctioned tactical urbanism, demonstrating a demand for better bike facilities downtown. The contractor shall provide a vision for how this street could be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly; incorporate green infrastructure elements to provide shade and collect and treat stormwater runoff, and provide opportunities of social interaction.

3. North Joachim Street between St. Anthony Street and Dauphine Street: North Joachim

Street borders the western edge of the vacant parcel and directly connects the historic neighborhood north of the site to the main commercial corridor in downtown Mobile. The contractor shall provide a vision for how this street could be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly; incorporate green infrastructure elements to provide shade and collect and treat stormwater runoff, and provide opportunities of social interaction.

4. North Conception Street between St. Anthony Street and Dauphine Street: North

Conception Street borders the eastern edge of the vacant parcel and, like North Joachim

Street, directly connects the historic neighborhood north of the site to the main commercial corridor in downtown Mobile. The contractor shall provide a vision for how this street could be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly; incorporate green infrastructure elements to provide shade and collect and treat stormwater runoff, and provide opportunities of social interaction.

Task 1 – Conduct Pre-charrette Project Area Assessment and Develop Initial Schematics:

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to conduct a site visit, establish baseline conditions for the project area, and develop initial vision alternatives that address the needs of the community and are appropriate for the specific site conditions. Discussions among the contractor, city staff, and GSA and

EPA staff regarding the initial design alternatives will form the basis for an on-site charrette.

The contractor shall participate in one (1) kick-off call with city staff and EPA to discuss the project area and sustainability challenges the project seeks to address. (Participating stakeholders will be identified by staff from the city.) The city will also provide copies of all other plans and concepts not available on-line.

The contractor shall conduct a one (1)-day assessment tour of the project area within six (6) weeks of the initial kick-off call. On the tour, the contractor shall meet with city staff, EPA staff, and other community stakeholders identified by city staff to gather information about the project area and identify four (4) locations in the project area for which visions will be developed.

The contractor shall develop appropriate base maps for the project area illustrating both the larger site context (e.g., connections to adjacent neighborhoods), and a maps at a smaller scale illustrating the specific project area. Base information for these maps including aerials, GIS data, and site plans will be provided by city staff. Upon completion of the base maps and approval by EPA, GSA and city staff, the contractor shall develop existing conditions maps that effectively illustrate pertinent site conditions such as vegetation cover, location of confirmed or suspected brownfield contamination, and existing bike/pedestrian routes to and around the project area.

Based on the project area assessment and discussions with city staff and stakeholders, the contractor shall develop two (2) initial vision schematics for each of the four (4) identified locations that illustrate preliminary vision ideas. The purpose of these schematics is to provide EPA, GSA and city staff the contractor’s vision intent prior to the charrette. EPA, GSA and the city will comment on the initial schematics and decide if all or some should be further explored during the charrette.

The contractor shall also do a limited parking assessment in the downtown area, primarily focused on the areas directly adjacent to the vacant parcel and the street surrounding. The contractor shall prepare a brief presentation of strategies no longer than 20 minutes that discusses various parking management options and allows for a moderated dialogue among local businesses, key stakeholders, police/enforcement officials and local government. EPA will provide the contractor with a copy of the

EPA Parking Audit tool as a guide.

The contractor shall also create a Microsoft PowerPoint (MSPP) presentation no longer than 20 minutes that describes neighborhood sustainability principles, green infrastructure approaches, and how the design improvements for the project area incorporate these ideas to meet the community’s goals for a more sustainable corridor. The presentation is intended to be used at the charrette to frame the issues, present the project area analysis, and introduce preliminary schematic designs. All examples used must be regionally relevant and reflect similar environmental conditions to those of the community.

The contractor shall participate in up to three (3) additional conference calls up to one (1) hour in length during the duration of Task 1 and 2.

Task 1 Deliverables and Timeline:

1a. Participate in one (1) project kick-off call and up to three (3) additional conference calls, as needed, with city staff, EPA, GSA and stakeholders prior to the charrette.

1b. Conduct a one (1)-day site visit and meet with city staff along with EPA and GSA regional staff to review and discuss the four (4) locations identified in the Background and Purpose section.

1c. The project area assessment consisting of base maps and existing conditions maps for review by

EPA, GSA and city staff four (4) weeks prior to charrette.

1d. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one (1) week of receiving comments on base maps and existing conditions maps.

1e. Eight (8) initial vision schematics (two (2) for each of the four (4) locations) to be reviewed by city, EPA and GSA staff three (3) weeks prior to charrette.

1f. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one (1) week of receiving comments on vision schematics.

1g. Limited parking needs evaluation and presentation no longer than 20 minutes that evaluates current parking conditions and needs, and provides options and strategies for parking management in downtown Mobile to meet the community’s goals three (3) weeks prior to the on-site charrette. EPA

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Parking tool materials will be available as a guide.

1h. MSPP presentation no longer than 20 minutes that describes neighborhood sustainability principles, green infrastructure approaches, parking management strategies, and how the design improvements for the project area incorporate these ideas to meet the community’s goals for a more sustainable streets three (3) weeks prior to the on-site charrette.

1i. Respond to EPA comments within one (1) week of receiving comments on MSPP presentation.

Task 2 – Finalize Charrette Preparation:

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to develop a detailed charrette schedule for a three (3)-day on-site charrette to occur within six (6) to eight (8) weeks of the site visit.

Concurrent with the project area assessment task (Task 1), the contractor shall identify the necessary mix of stakeholders for participation in the charrette. City staff will assist in identifying specific individuals and will be responsible for sending invitations. In addition, the contractor shall develop a charrette schedule that details the activities proposed for the multi-day on-site charrette (Task 3). The charrette schedule shall include, but is not limited to:

Stakeholder meetings no longer than two (2) hours in length with topics dependent upon project needs such as green infrastructure to manage stormwater, parking management policies and options, and complete streets to improve bicycle and pedestrian access;

Agendas for each stakeholder meeting that include identifying a facilitator and presentations that will be made;

Design team sketch sessions;

Kick-off and wrap-up sessions;

Up to two (2) public involvement meetings or open houses no longer than two and a half

(2.5) hours; and

Discussion of implementation strategies with city, state, and federal partners.

EPA staff will provide contractor with past Greening America’s Capitals charrette schedules as examples. City staff will be responsible for charrette logistics including securing a venue, advertisement, invites to stakeholder and public meetings, and catering, if pertinent (participants in the charrettes will pay for their own meals, if catered). The charrette schedule shall be discussed during conference calls identified in Task 1.

Task 2 Deliverables and Timeline:

2a. A draft charrette schedule five (5) weeks prior to the charrette with stakeholder meeting topics and stakeholder groups identified.

2b. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one (1) week of receiving comments.

2c. A final schedule two (2) weeks prior to the charrette.

Task 3 – Conduct On-site Design Charrette:

Purpose: The purpose of this task is for the contractor to lead a three (3) day charrette and all associated activities.

Throughout the three (3) day on-site charrette, the contractor shall further develop one (1) vision option for each of the four (4) locations identified in the Background and Purpose section. The visions shall use green infrastructure to manage stormwater; improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the project area; and address parking needs while promoting more sustainable urban design.

The contractor shall facilitate stakeholder meetings determined in Task 2. The contractor shall also organize and facilitate up to two (2) public open house events that allow for community input on the goals of the projects and the design options prepared, and educate participants to the topic of neighborhood sustainability principles, including green infrastructure. At these events, the contractor shall also present the designs created and be able to answer any questions or comments from the public. At the introductory open house, the contractor shall present the MSPP presentation created in

Task 1.

Task 3 Deliverables and Timeline:

All deliverables in Task 3 shall be delivered and completed on-site during the approximately three (3)-day design charrette no later than March, 2016.

3a. Present MSPP presentation created in Task 1 to city staff, selected stakeholders, and the general public during an introductory open house event.

3b. Present parking presentation created in Task 1 to city staff, and selected stakeholders, that discusses parking management strategies in the context of downtown Mobile. Facilitate dialogue about parking in downtown Mobile and talk through a list of potential parking management strategies.

3c. Develop vision options for the project area. Options will be presented in plans, sections, and ground-level in-situ perspectives

3d. Lead an interactive meeting no longer than 90 minutes with city staff, EPA, GSA and selected stakeholders to discuss “Next Steps” implementation strategies and policy implications of the proposed design strategies. Selected stakeholders will be identified by city staff.

3e. Present vision options at a final public open house event and gather public comment.

Task 4 – Final Vision Options and Summary Memorandum:

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to create a summary memorandum illustrating the vision options. It is intended that this memo will be used by GSA staff to help guide them developing ideas for uses on the GSA-owned property, and also to used by the city for fundraising activities (e.g., grant applications, etc.) and for additional community involvement and outreach for improvements on publicly-owned land

The contractor shall develop a set of vision options for each of the four (4) locations selected that refines and builds on those visions created during on-site charrette in Task 3. The deliverable shall include descriptive text and high-quality graphics, including but not limited to:

Introduction text no longer than one (1) page;

Site assessment text and maps no longer than four (4) pages;

Four (4) sets of before and after in-situ visuals (street-level perspectives)—one (1) at each of the four (4) locations selected, with text annotations;

Schematic site plans with text annotations;

Sections, where necessary, with text annotations; and

”Next Steps” text no longer than three (3) pages.

Task 4 Deliverables and Timeline:

4a. A draft summary memorandum, including all components of the deliverable for approval to EPA staff within four (4) weeks of the conclusion of the Charrette, no later than April, 2016.

4b. Final summary memorandum, including all components of the deliverable two (2) weeks following receipt of comments from EPA.