Title
Resolution Authorizing Contract Number 2010-015 with Pillar Design Studios, LLC for the City of Greensboro Skate Park
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: 1, 3
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Wade Walcutt, 373-2964
Contact 2 and Phone: Butch Shumate, 412-5794
PURPOSE:
City Council is being requested to approve and award the contract to Pillar Design Studios, LLC for the design and installation of skate parks for the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Greensboro.
BACKGROUND:
The need and demand for more diverse and non-traditional recreational activities was first recommended by the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan (1998) and again in the updated (2005) plan. One amenity/strategy which remained a consistent need in each plan was a skate park. As a result, funding for the project was approved by residents with the November 2006 Bond Referendum and became available in 2014.
As part of the initial planning process, the priority of public input was established and an advisory team of community stakeholders was created to assist staff with developing criteria for the evaluation and selection of a qualified design/build firm. The team was also tasked to evaluate and determine the best location(s) for a skate park and skate spots/dots, based on criteria such as existing parking, lighting, access, visibility, and other infrastructure considerations. Once substantial research and site analysis was completed by the team to determine the best locations for these facilities, Latham Park and Glenwood Recreation Center were recommended by the advisory team as the locations for an initial skate park and skate spot. These locations will serve as the initial anchor points ultimately leading to the creation of a skating network featuring future skate spots/dots throughout the City.
To begin the process of identifying the best firm to design and build the project, the public advisory team, Parks and Recreation, the M/WBE office, and Engineering and Inspections staff co-developed criteria such as M/WBE participation, previous design and / or construction experience, community/public agency collaboration, and design creativity to be included into a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) per City policy and practice. On June 10, 2015, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the recommended skate park/ spot/dot locations, along with the criteria established for evaluation and selection of a qualified design/build firm for the project.
On August 13, 2015 City Council Work Session, Council authorized staff to proceed with the recommended skate park and spot/dot locations, as well as, issuing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit proposals from qualified skate park design/build teams for the project.
The RFQ was issued on August 19, 2015 and at the close of the submittal deadline on September 15, 2015, two proposals were received and evaluated by the team. In order to comply with North Carolina General Statutes 143-128.1A, which lists requirements and criteria for design-build contracts including appropriate public notification, justification for use of the design-build method, and minimum number of responses required, the City re-issued the RFQ solicitation on November 9, 2015. With considerations of meeting MWBE goals, RFQ criteria and project cost and desired timeline for completion, Pillar Design Studios, LLC, was the unanimous preferred selection by the advisory team.
In terms of MWBE utilization, the City’s MWBE office established contract goals of MBE at 7% and WBE at 7% on the construction portion of the project. Pillar Design Studios, LLC exceeded both the MBE (12%) and WBE (20%) goals with certified firms. (See attached).
To proceed with the project, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into negotiations with and to execute a contract with Pillar Design Studios, LLC is requested. If approved, a groundbreaking ceremony and the design/planning phase (including community input) will begin in December 2015. Project completion is projected for Spring 2016.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funds for the project are available in the following accounts: 472-5004-01.5413 and 472-5004-01.6019.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that City Council approve the expenditure of existing funds for the project, in an amount not to exceed $575,000, for the purpose of the design and construction of skate park and skate spot at Latham Park and Glenwood Recreation Center; and authorize the City Manager and staff to enter into negotiations and execute a contract with Pillar Design Studios, LLC. for the design and construction of the skate park and skate spot.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the General Government and Community Service Committees.