Introduction:

The City of Columbus, Indiana, through the City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department, is seeking a well-qualified consultant to complete an update of the 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the City of Columbus. The City views this Plan Update as an important next step in further developing the bicycle and pedestrian network within the City.

The City of Columbus has an active cycling community and its bicycle and pedestrian system is highly valued by residents for both recreation and transportation. Its People Trail Network, an off-street system of multi-use paths, extends over 17 miles throughout the city. In addition to the People Trail, the City has bicycle lanes on 9 miles of street and a supporting network of on-street bicycle routes and off-street sidepaths. The City’s sidewalk network is most complete in the downtown area. Sidewalks are now required for new developments and subdivisions but this was not the case in the mid to late 20^th century, and there are many gaps in the network. The 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan resulted in significant improvements to the City’s bicycle and pedestrian network, and this update will serve as an opportunity to build from those past successes.

Through this project, the City aims to review and revise its guide for expanding its bicycle and pedestrian network. The network should continue to make connections to schools, parks, shopping centers, employment areas, and other key destinations, and it should expand routes throughout the community that are safe, convenient, and comfortable for users of all skill levels. The Plan should consider the City’s future growth and also contribute to distinguishing Columbus as a healthy, vibrant community with high quality lifestyle accommodations.

The City of Columbus, population 47,000, is a regional center for employment, health care, finances, shopping, and entertainment in southern Indiana. Columbus is known for its strong local economy, vibrant downtown, high quality of life, and overall commitment to community excellence. Our community’s recognitions include a ranking in 2012 by the American Institute of Architects as the 6^th most significant city in the United States for architectural design. Columbus has also been recognized as Bronze Bicycle Friendly community. For more information about our community please visit the City of Columbus website at www.columbus.in.gov or the Columbus Area Visitor Center website at www.columbus.in.us.

Project Description / Scope of Work:

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will include the following components:

1. Review of Local Policies and Planning Documents: A review of the City of Columbus Comprehensive Plan, including the 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, the City of Columbus Thoroughfare Plan, and the Downton Strategic Development Plan; the ColumBUS Transit Route Study (currently in progress); the City of Columbus Intersection Study: a Plan4Health Initiative; the BCSC Safe Routes to School Plan; the CAMPO Long Range Transportation Plan; the City of Columbus Strategic Growth Study; the City of Columbus ADA Transition Plan; and other policies, plans, and documents applicable to transportation infrastructure. This should also include a review of the incomplete, rough draft City of Columbus 2014 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update.

2. Review of Existing Conditions: An assessment of the condition and safety of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities and the distribution of bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout different areas of the community. This assessment should include a review of crash data and should focus on locations that lack bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure where bicycle/pedestrian-related collisions are occurring. This should also include on-site assessments of selected intersections to identify common intersection safety issues and corresponding solutions that can be applied elsewhere in the City.

3. Community Outreach: Collection of public input that includes both (A) issue and opportunity identification and (B) follow-up public thoughts regarding draft findings and recommendations. A public survey, provided in both English and Spanish, should be used as one of the initial methods of public engagement. Outreach efforts should include an educational component that conveys the purpose and need for bicycle/pedestrian planning and facilities.

4. Steering Committee Facilitation: Facilitation of periodic input from a steering committee of City officials, community organization representatives, and local residents.

5. Review and Update of Community Vision: A review and update of the city’s vision and goals for an improved bicycle and pedestrian network.

6. Evaluation of Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan: An evaluation of the incomplete bicycle and pedestrian projects proposed in the 2010 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and recommendations regarding whether those original recommendations should be carried forward.

7. Recommendations: Prioritized recommendations for improving and expanding the existing bicycle and pedestrian network, including facility types and locations. This should include (1) recommendations for more efficient use of existing public right-of-way with regard to providing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, (2) recommendations for intersection and mid-block crossing design, and (3) the identification of possible county and regional connections outside of the City’s jurisdiction. Other recommendations might include identifying low-cost projects that would have a high level of benefit; facilities needed in minority and low income neighborhoods; prioritization of projects that would increase accessibility for people with a disability; prioritizing connections to transit and schools; and recommendations for ongoing data collection and performance measures. Recommendations should acknowledge the relationship of the bicycle and pedestrian network to the Thoroughfare Plan (and its recommendations for street design), the City’s transit routes, and the BCSC Safe Routes to School Plan.

8. Design Guidelines: Detailed descriptions and design guidelines for all recommended bicycle and pedestrian facility types. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update should not be limited to the facility types recommended in the 2010 Plan but should incorporate any and all bicycle and pedestrian facility types that are best suited to specific locations throughout the City. Design guidelines should utilize national sources, such as the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

9. Wayfinding: Recommendations for a wayfinding strategy, signage system, and branding for the City’s bicycle and pedestrian network.

10. Lighting: Identification of priority locations for lighting and recommendations for lighting type.

11.Trailheads: Identification of new trailhead locations and recommendations for amenities to be included at all trailheads.

12. System Clarity: A clear definition of the People Trail network that articulates how these facilities are distinguished from all other forms of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including recommendations for how this distinction can be communicated to the public. Definitions should also describe the types of users that utilize the different types of facilities.

13. Ordinance Updates: General recommendations for Thoroughfare Plan and Subdivision Control Ordinance content updates, ensuring that recommendations are permissible and supported by local regulation and policy.

14. Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Document: Creation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update for the City of Columbus and its two-mile extraterritorial planning jurisdiction that incorporates all project components detailed above.

In addition to the Plan components outlined above, the City of Columbus would also like assistance with development of a Short – and Long-Term Maintenance Plan that includes both (A) a schedule for resurfacing and/or replacing all bicycle and pedestrian facilities and (2) the designation of maintenance responsibilities amongst City departments for short- and long-term maintenance tasks.

The City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department will dedicate staff to provide assistance in collecting background documents and other information, coordinating and facilitating steering committee meetings, facilitating public input events, and otherwise supporting the project. Planning Department staff will play an active role in the development of the Plan and its recommendations through a series of staff-consultant meetings, in person and/or via telephone. In addition, the City of Columbus Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Team will provide technical guidance and review throughout the development of the Plan Update. The Planning Department will generate all resolutions, etc. necessary for the adoption of the updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan as an element of the City of Columbus Comprehensive Plan. However, the consultant will be responsible for making any edits to the Plan document identified through the Comprehensive Plan adoption process.

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and shall comply with all applicable State and Federal policies and regulations.

Proposal Submittal Requirements:

Interested consultants shall submit 8 identical copies of their proposal and include the items listed below. Submittals shall be limited to a maximum of 20 pages – single sided, 8 ½ by 11 inches (or 10 such pages double-sided). All submittals must address all aspects of the project. Interested consultants are welcome to team with other firms or add sub-consultants necessary to complete the project. The City of Columbus encourages firms who qualify as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) to submit proposals. Non-DBE consultants are encouraged to utilize DBE firms as sub-consultants.

1. Firm Information: The name of the firm, its website address, and the location of the office from which the work will be completed. If a team of firms or sub-consultants will be used, identify all included firms, the lead firm, and the general percentage of work to be completed by each firm.

2. Qualifications: The qualifications of the consultant’s staff members who are proposed to complete the project. Include only those staff members who will be active members of the project team. Do not include any firm leadership members who will not actively participate in the project.

3. Experience: Related or similar projects previously completed by those consultant staff members proposed to complete the project. Do not include similar projects completed by the consultant, but by different staff members.

4. Scope of Services: A detailed description of the tasks and milestones the firm will achieve in order to complete the development of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update. The scope should include a detailed approach to public input.

5. Timeline: A general timeline for completing the project.

6. References: Two references for which the consultant has completed similar projects, including the title of that project and the reference’s name, address, and phone number.

7. Contact Information: Contact information for the individual to whom questions about the consultant’s submittal should be directed (including a mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address).

8. Fee Proposal: The fee associated with completing the provided scope of services.

Submit To:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Review Committee
c/o Emilie Pinkston
City of Columbus – Bartholomew County Planning Department
123 Washington Street
Columbus, IN 47201

Submit By:

4:00 pm EDT on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Contact for Questions:

Emilie Pinkston
City of Columbus – Bartholomew County Planning Department

Phone: 812-376-2550

E-mail: epinkston@columbus.in.gov

OR

Jeff Bergman
City of Columbus – Bartholomew County Planning Department

Phone: 812-376-2550

E-mail: jbergman@columbus.in.gov

Selection Procedures:

The consultant shall be selected based on the following factors, in order of importance: (1) qualifications, (2) project approach, (3) related experience, (4) fee, (5) timeline, and (6) designation as a DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise). The proposals will be reviewed by a committee of local officials. Interviews with a shortlist of consultants are likely prior to a final selection being made.

Please contact Emilie Pinkston (epinkston@columbus.in.gov) with the City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department for a PDF of the RFP.