RFP Kensington Livable Centers Initiative Master Plan Study Update

DeKalb County is seeking a consultant to develop the Kensington Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Master Plan Study Update for an approximately 870-acre area in unincorporated Decatur, Georgia. The project aims to update previous studies from 2002 and 2012, focusing on potential redevelopment opportunities, particularly for a large catalytic site owned by the County near the MARTA station. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing conditions, developing strategic recommendations for land use, transportation, housing, and placemaking, and creating an implementation strategy including a 100-day action plan. Key deliverables will include market analysis, transportation assessments, and conceptual renderings, with extensive public involvement through meetings with a Project Management Team, Technical Advisory Committee, and Community Advisory Committee. The non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 15, 2025, at 11:30 A.M. EST via Zoom, with questions due by October 17, 2025, and proposals due by November 5, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. EST. The project is expected to be completed within one year of the contract start date, with the consultant required to engage deeply with community input and develop a community-driven concept for land use and connectivity.

The procurement includes specific Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements, with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) establishing a DBE participation goal of 16.7% for the project. The total budget for the contract is $250,000, with ARC providing 80% ($200,000) and DeKalb County contributing 20% ($50,000) of the funding, which will be sourced through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program. Proposers must complete and submit the ARC DBE Utilization Form as part of their proposal, adhering to ARC's DBE Plan. The county will also emphasize hiring local DeKalb County residents through the First Source Jobs Ordinance. The budget is preliminarily divided into four primary tasks: Existing Conditions Analysis (25%, $62,500), Plan Development (25%, $62,500), Public Involvement (35%, $87,500), and Prepare Deliverables (15%, $37,500). Any modifications to the budget estimates must be requested in writing and approved by ARC's Chief Operating Office. The project emphasizes a comprehensive approach to urban planning, focusing on sustainable growth, transportation improvements, economic development, and community engagement.