Explanation
This legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to modify and extend the contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) and local partners for services to continue exploration into financing scenarios, traffic engineering, and community outreach for the Downtown Streetcar Project (High Street Line as previously outlined in the Finance Plan presented on March 27, 2008).
It has been shown by significant research that such a urban streetcar line is feasible for Columbus, and could serve as a significant economic development driver (see Danter Study) as well as a starter segment of a broader regional fixed guide way transit system.
This contract is designed to help to answer further questions raised by members of Columbus City Council and continue on-going outreach and education to residents, businesses and interest groups.
This continuing effort will also endeavor to show how a modern streetcar system could be integrated into a larger, regional fixed guide way and statewide high-speed rail system.
Finally, it is the goal of this contract to also explore a path by which Columbus can be positioned competitively for Federal Funding under the reauthorization of the transportation legislation, scheduled for 2009, where it is anticipated a much-needed realignment of Federal transportation policy that encourages alternatives to automobile travel and highway expansion will occur.
As part of a broader vision for a regional rail service connecting suburbs, neighborhoods and downtown, the proposed High Street Line would be the first section of a modern fixed guide way system that will drive economic development along the High Street Corridor and serve as an alternative and complementary mode of transportation for employees, residents living in and around the benefit district (the densest urban neighborhoods in Columbus), college students, visitors and conventioneers seeking to travel among major destination centers along the routes of the proposed Streetcar System.
More than two years of studies from a diverse group of local leaders, engineers, planners and business advocates, including COTA and MORPC have shown how it could aid in revitalizing downtown Columbus by increasing and encouraging economic investment and providing a solution to parking and mobility. Future lines of the fixed guide way project may connect near-downtown neighborhoods such as the Brewery District, German Village, the Discovery District, the King-Lincoln District, Franklinton and the Arena District.
Through this modification, HDR will provide on-going analysis of financing options, continue community outreach and involvement, assist in engaging Federal partners, provide an analysis of streetcar integration into other modes of transit, carry out traffic and parking impact studies and other conceptual engineering services as required for the Downtown Columbus Streetcar Project (High Street Line).
1. The additional funds needed for this modification shall not exceed $300,000.00.
2. Reports created through this process will be competed in the first quarter of 2009
3. At the time the contract was originally established, the need for these detailed studies had not been shown, and this continued contract will provide added, specific technical research on the High Street route and community outreach activities.
4. It is in the city's best interest to modify this contract to add these additional services in order to continue financial analysis, engineering study and community outreach.
5. Pricing for the initial services was established through a formal bid process in accordance with section 329.12 of the Columbus City Code, detailed within the existing contract language and through additional negotiation with the vendor.
BID INFORMATION
The original contract was established through a formal bid process in accordance with Columbus City Code section 329.12. In response to solicitation number SA002459, six offerors submitted proposals that were opened at the Purchasing Office on June 14, 2007. An evaluation committee consisting of City employees and representatives from various stakeholder agencies (the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, and the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission) provided five votes, which complies with all aspects of City Code 329.14. Out of this process, HDR was ranked highest.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the original contract was $100,000.00. The additional funds needed for this modification are up to, but not to exceed, $300,000.00 bringing the total modified cost to $400,000.00. These funds are budgeted and available within the Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE NUMBER: 47-0680568 Expires: 08/15/2008
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to modify and extend a contract with HDR for the purchase of professional services to provide on-going analysis of financing options, community outreach, traffic maintenance and impact studies and other engineering services as required, to authorize the expenditure of up to $300,000 from the street construction maintenance and repair fund. ($300,000)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation will authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to modify and extend a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide on-going analysis of financing options, community outreach, traffic maintenance studies and other engineering services as required for the Downtown Columbus Streetcar Project (High Street Line), and
WHEREAS, the original contract was established through a formal bid process in accordance with Columbus City Code section 329.12, and
WHEREAS, an evaluation committee consisting of City employees and representatives from various stakeholder agencies (the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, and the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission) providing five votes complied with all aspects of City Code 329.14, and
WHEREAS, the proposed Downtown Columbus Streetcar Project (High Street Line) is a modern streetcar system that will serve as an important alternative mode of transportation for downtown employees, students, visitors to the City, conventioneers, and residents of city neighborhoods seeking to travel among destination centers along the major routes of the system, and
WHEREAS, it will help the City meet its objective of revitalizing downtown Columbus by increasing and encouraging economic investment and providing an added solution to the parking and mobility challenges currently affecting downtown's resurgence. Future lines of the transportation project may connect near-downtown neighborhoods such as the Brewery District, German Village, the Discovery District and the Arena District with downtown based on further development and planning, and
WHEREAS, the maximum anticipated cost for this contract modification is $300,000, which is budgeted and available in the Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to modify and extend a contract for the purchase of professional services from HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide on-going analysis of financing options, community outreach, traffic maintenance studies and other engineering services as required for the Downtown Columbus Streetcar Project (High Street Line).
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from:
Dept/div: 59-09
Fund: 265
Object level 1: 03
Object level 3 3336
OCA: 599138
Amount: $300,000.00
SECTION 3: That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.