Manitou Overlook Park – Higginbotham Flats Master Plan

The City of Manitou Springs is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 2024-009) for the Manitou Overlook Park - Higginbotham Flats Master Plan, seeking a qualified landscape architect firm to design and develop a sustainable park project. The procurement is for a two-phase project, with Phase 1 focusing on design and Phase 2 involving construction documents, with a $50,000 budget allocated for the initial design phase. The project requires designing a park featuring a Seven Rock Cairn Sculpture surrounded by native pollinator gardens that honor regional Indigenous tribes, including garden areas with mountain views, permeable pathways, landscaped parking capable of functioning as an emergency helipad, a rainwater collection structure, composting toilets, and appropriate signage. Evaluation criteria will involve scoring proposals based on qualifications, project team, approach, and costs, with a maximum of 100 possible points. Key dates include a pre-proposal conference on May 21st, 2024, at 9 a.m., proposal submissions due by June 26th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., and an expected notice of selection on July 12th, 2024. The selection process will involve a committee comprising city staff, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Save the Flats, Inc., with the selected contractor required to conduct multiple collaborative design meetings.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Insurance requirements include comprehensive general liability, professional liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation with specific minimum coverage amounts. No incumbent vendors are mentioned, and the project appears to be developing a new park space on previously used community garden land. The total project budget beyond the $50,000 design phase has not been definitively established, with construction funding to be determined in future phases. The city anticipates selecting a contractor who can complete both design and construction document phases, emphasizing a preference for a design team capable of comprehensive project execution. Successful bidders must demonstrate experience with municipal infrastructure projects and provide detailed references. The project's ultimate vision is to create a low-maintenance, sustainable park that integrates native plantings, natural materials, and reflects the historical and cultural context of Manitou Springs as a scenic health resort and artisan community.