Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation will authorize the Director of Development to enter into a professional service contract. The city of Columbus is in need of consultant assistance to complete a residential and retail market assessment of the development proposed for the Whittier Peninsula. A portion of the Whittier Peninsula has been identified for reuse as a new, urban mixed-use neighborhood. This information is needed to supplement materials to be included in a national search for a master developer for this project, as well as for some state and federal applications. It is expected that the city will release a Request for Qualifications in early summer, pending the receipt of the market assessment and other supplemental information. The redevelopment of the Whittier Peninsula implements the goals and objectives of the Whittier Reach section of the Riverfront Vision, a land use and development plan adopted by Columbus City Council in 1998. It also advances provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the city, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and Audubon Ohio to develop a park and nature center on a portion of the Whittier Peninsula. The consultant firm Vogt, Williams & Bowen, LLC (Columbus, Ohio) has been selected to provide market projections for anticipated residential & retail development including, overall product mix, market conditions, project impacts and market values.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Whittier Peninsula Marketing Assessment was published in the November 13 and 20th issues of the City Bulletin. In addition, the RFP was posted on the Planning Division's website, Columbus INFObase.org and RFP's were mailed directly to known market analysts in Central Ohio.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total amount of the contract will be $40,000. This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $40,000 from the Miranova TIF - City Riverfront Vision Account (Ordinance #1578-98), adopted by Colu...
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