Wilkes Square Redevelopment

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
PROPOSED WILKES SQUARE (CANDLE STREET)
REDEVELOPMENT SITE

by Whitey Willauer

I. General Scope of Work
The Town of Nantucket invites responders to submit qualifications for the preparation of preliminary plans and specifications, schedule development, and cost estimating, for the Wilkes Square (Candle Street) Redevelopment Site (see map) including the National Grid, Greenhound, Winthrop, and Nantucket Island Resort properties as identified in Article 90 of the Nantucket 2008 Annual Town Meeting.

The Board of Selectmen has charged the Downtown Revitalization Committee with identifying goals for the Nantucket downtown area which balance economic strength with community preservation, and encourage greater venues for social activity while recognizing the importance of planning.

The designer should consider the following guidelines:
· Attracting a wide range of individuals through a multifunctional environment, including: housing, work, shopping, culture, entertainment, government, and tourist attractions.
· Balancing the human, social and economic needs with the infrastructure requirements of parking, public transportation, bike racks, road access, traffic flow, sidewalks and shore front walkways.
· Attracting commercial business to locate downtown by providing guidance on financing, zoning, and preliminary site design
· Protecting the unique qualities, historical significance and feel of the Town.
· Incorporating attractive space for civic gatherings.
· Recognizing the value of keeping the Town Government in downtown.

It is anticipated that the Preliminary Design will be completed by no later than June 2009.

Applications will be received until TBD at the offices of the Board of Selectmen, 16 Broad Street Nantucket MA. Four (4) copies of the application must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked Application for Designer Services for Proposed Wilkes Square (Candle Street) Redevelopment Site. All written applications will be evaluated and a short list of finalists will be developed. The finalists will be interviewed and a final selection made after the completion of the interview process.

The successful firm to this RFQ will be required to furnish the necessary personnel, materials, services, equipment, facilities (except as otherwise specified herein) to perform evaluations and additional efforts as specified in the detailed Scope of Services issued hereunder for design and engineering services for the Town to include: the programming, site master planning, landscape architecture, and environmental analysis subject to the independent review process provided for by M.G.L. Chapter 7, sec. 38H(i) (the “Designer Selection Statute”).

Questions concerning this RFQ must be submitted in writing to: Diane O’Neil, Board of Selectmen, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, email: doneil@nantucket-ma.gov before TBD. Questions may be delivered, mailed, emailed, or faxed. Written responses will be mailed, emailed, or faxed to all responders on record as having requested the RFQ. The selection process is governed by M.G.L. Chapter 7, sec. 38D, et seq.

The minimum qualifications and comparative evaluation criteria are set forth below. Each applicant must have experience in the design of buildings in New England and have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 91 issues.

The Town will evaluate all applications submitted, eliminate any applications that do not meet the Minimum Criteria, develop a ‘short list’ and schedule interviews with those applicants at which time a price proposal will be requested. The contract will be awarded in accordance with the Designer Selection Statute.
Responders must be willing to enter into the Town of Nantucket’s standard form of contract that will include the scope of services of this RFQ.

II. Scope of Services
The Designer will perform the following services in connection with the Project:
1. Provide not less than three (3) site plans, and landscape architecture for the Wilkes Square (Candle Street) Redevelopment Site. In addition to the 3 site plans, the responders are encouraged to provide one or more alternative plans.
2. Coordinate with the stake holders including Harbor Fuel, National Grid, Greenhound, Winthrop, and Nantucket Island Resort in order to develop one or more plans that satisfy a combination of the operational, commercial, economic, and cultural needs of the Nantucket Community and the primary stake holders. The plans must address the larger goals and guidelines of the Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC) as described in Section I.

3. Develop trade-off analysis as to the pros and cons of each plan. It is the expressed position of the DRC that the area be a: year-round venue; be committed to water-front access for residents; provide open space for civic use; include residential and commercial venues (possible vertical zoning); encourage Municipal use; and be part of Nantucket’s downtown parking solution.

4. Make presentations of the Wilkes Square (Candle Street) Redevelopment Plan to the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and DRC and other boards and attend such other local meetings as may be necessary or appropriate (a minimum of five (5) meetings).

5. At least two (2) site plan recommendations of the proposed: one plan should not have a parking garage on the site; one must include one or more parking garage(s) on site; how many vehicles would be accommodated by the garage(s); where would the garage(s) be located on the site; and what other uses could be accommodated by the garage(s). The designer should reference the empirical data as to the nature of Nantucket’s parking issue, and the usefulness of various solutions to the island’s specific challenges.

6. Make recommendations: how to locate a grocery store on the site; what would be the size and scope of the grocery store; what would be the parking impacts; where would the grocery store be located on the site.
7. Make recommendations: how to incorporate year-round housing units on the site; how many units and what size would be incorporated; what would be the parking impacts; where would the units be located on the site. Units might include mix of low income and upper income; upper floor only; employee housing; rental or purchased properties.

8. Make recommendations: how to provide open civic space on the property; where the civic spaces should be located, what should be the footprint of the spaces; what would be the parking impacts; and what would be the uses on the civic spaces. Uses might include: farmers market; county fair; Figawi Weekend; Opera House Cup; Flower Show; Art Show; flea market; band concerts; 4th of July Party.

9. Make recommendations: whether and how to incorporate cultural activity structures such as museums, theaters, art galleries on the site; how many cultural structures would be accommodated; what would the uses of the cultural structures; what would be the parking impacts; where would the cultural structures be located on the site. Attention also should be given to the effects of vertical zoning on the area, and to the viability of year-round cultural activities.

10. Make recommendations: whether and how to incorporate retail outlets on the site; how many retail spaces would be accommodated; what would be the parking impacts; where would the retail spaces be located on the site. Attention also should be given to the effects of vertical zoning on the area, and the viability of year-round retail offerings.

11. Make recommendations: whether and how to incorporate restaurants on the site; how many restaurants would be accommodated; what would be the parking impacts; where would the restaurants be located on the property. Attention also should be given to the effects of vertical zoning on the area, and the viability of year-round restaurants.

12. Make recommendations: whether and how to incorporate one or more hotels on the site; how many hotel(s) would be accommodated; where would the hotel(s) be located on the property; how many rooms and amenities would the hotel(s) accommodate. Attention also should be given to hotel parking, employee housing, and the viability of year-round hotel operation.

13. Provide timeline for the redevelopment and an estimate of construction costs. The project timeline should take in to considerations the existing licenses and leases for the various properties. Such licenses and leases include: Town license with Harbor Fuel for fuel tanks expires September 5, 2009; grocery store / parking lot lease with Winthrop expires in 2010, and Winthrop lease with Harbor Fuel expires in 2018.

14. Develop an overall business plan(s) for the site and make recommendations as to how the project might be financed. Trade-offs might include: private vs. public financing; public-private partnership; single owner vs. multiple-owners;

15. Provide such other designer services as may be necessary to bring the Project to completion

16. All plans shall conform to the current Massachusetts State Building Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations and all local ordinances and regulations governing the Project

III. Minimum Qualifications of Designer
The Designer must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Demonstrate a minimum of five years experience in the design of buildings in Massachusetts
2. Possess knowledge of and experience in legal requirements of Massachusetts building projects. Be able to take into consideration the various economic and business needs and requirements of the stakeholders.
3. Possess all necessary current licenses and registrations to qualify under Massachusetts law to perform the function of the designer of the Project
4. Provide evidence of insurance for general liability ($2 million combined single limit), automobile ($2 million combined single limit), worker’s compensation (statutory) and professional services liability ($2 million minimum)
The applicant shall not be debarred under M.G.L. ch. 149, sec. 44C or disqualified under M.G.L. ch. 7, sec. 38D
5. The Tax Compliance Certification and Certificate of Non-Collusion must be included with the response. These forms must be signed by the authorized individuals.
IV. Requirements for Application
Responding Designers are to address each of the following requirements in a clearly labeled section of their response and in the same order.
1. Name and address of applicant
2. Brief resume of principals and of the staff to be assigned to the Project
3. Samples of projects which would best illustrate qualifications for the Project. References must include: drawings, photographs, illustrations, and pertinent documentation.

4. Names of engineers and other consultants that may be used for the Project

5. Statement of the scope and type of services proposed for Project

6. Work plan and schedule which reflects timetable for completion of Project

7. Statement of any legal or administrative proceedings pending or concluded adversely to the applicant within the past five (5) years which relate to the applicant’s performance of this type of work
8. Appropriate certificates of insurance
9. Evidence of financial stability
In addition, each applicant must submit a written application which includes responses to the items required in the standard “DSB 2005 Application Form”. In addition, the following are specifically required:

V. Evaluation Process
The Town will evaluate all applications submitted. Any application which fails to meet any of the minimum qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the Town will consider the following comparative criteria. These matters should be addressed in the written application and will be explored further in any interview with the applicant.
Experience with similar projects
Recent Relevant Experience: with projects comparable to the
proposed project. Designer to describe relevant site master
planning and permitting in similar types of project designs
Ability to manage project design schedule
Proposed Schedule: Provide an outline and proposed project
schedule
Record of projects being completed as designed, on time and within budget and the degree of satisfaction of the owner
Proposers past schedule performance history: demonstrated past
performance with a discussion of rationale behind the history that
communicates the firm’s understanding of project reality, project
history of budget and final actual costs with dates.
Depth and breadth of experience and qualifications for personnel to be assigned to the Project

Key Personnel: Professional background, caliber and
staff availability for project; quantify staff and discipline;
describe the % of time to be committed to the project by
the key members of the project team.
Outside Consultants: Qualifications and experience of firms regularly
engaged by the architect; describe the % of time to be committed to
the project by the leadership of the project team.
Team Organization: Chart and describe team organization, listing key
individuals.
Ability to work with town committees, officers and contractors Experience in Green building design projects
Innovative Energy Methods: Demonstrate any of the firm’s
experience in using energy efficient power plants or recycled
content materials in construction of municipal projects. List any
LEEDS certified projects or related efforts involving “green”
building design. Information should include project name, contact
and phone numbers and reference to securing any gy grants on
behalf of clients.

VI. General Provisions
1. The Town of Nantucket reserves the right to reject any and all applications and to waive any informality whenever such rejection or waiver is in the best interests of the Town of Nantucket.
2. The Town of Nantucket will not be responsible for any expenses incurred in the preparation or submission of applications by the applicants. Each application should provide a concise explanation of the applicant’s capacity to satisfy the requirements of this RFQ. Emphasis should be placed on clarity of content.
3. The application, and any subsequent contract for services, shall be governed by applicable Massachusetts law.
4. Upon submission, all applications, plans and specifications will become the property of the Town of Nantucket and will be subject to disclosure in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
5. The selected Designer will be required to comply with all applicable federal state and local laws, ordinances and regulations.
6. The Town of Nantucket is and Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town encourages applications from qualified MBE/DBE/WBE firms.