We are seeking a dynamic, multidisciplinary, award-winning planning consultant to lead the update of the Comprehensive Plan. The City's unique and rich history brings millions worldwide to visit and enjoy its small-town charm and sense of community. Coupled with a tradition of prudent and meticulous financial stewardship, excellent public service, and a vibrant art and cultural scene, many seek permanent residence in the city and the Virginia Historic Triangle region. The consultant will deliver a Comprehensive Plan, pioneering in its approach to outreach, research, analysis, and implementation recommendations.

Since the last current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2021, the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including shifts in retail demand, varying consumer habits, evolving work patterns, and demographic changes, have created challenges and considerations that warrant a strategic and forward-thinking reassessment of the city's vision, policies, and goals. Public opinion regarding proposed housing development and documented housing needs in all categories of affordability and income has underscored the importance of reviewing the city's capacity for growth. This plan will aim to better understand the diverse needs and vision of residents, businesses, corporations, and the city's two major landowners and institutions, William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Based on this understanding, the plan will resolve to preserve the city's history and uniqueness and develop cohesive land use, economic, and infrastructure policies that support the city's long-term growth and sustainability.

The ideal consultant team will demonstrate a proven ability to foster meaningful, innovative community engagement that is thoughtfully tailored to meet the diverse communication needs of Williamsburg's population. This will include various forms of interactive community meetings in strategic locations to improve opportunities for input. Such meetings may include design charettes, focus groups, interactive neighborhood gatherings, and public forums. Consultants would also be responsible for launching and maintaining an interactive online input platform for residents and stakeholders to share opinions on topics and plan elements as they evolve. The updated Comprehensive Plan must protect and enhance Williamsburg's unique character and be aligned with the City's vision to courageously lead and innovate as modern city, prioritizing safety and wellness, fostering partnerships, and maintaining global connectivity.

The City Council expects this plan to be a true comprehensive consideration of planning topics with a 25-year horizon. This means a deliverable that contains numerous new strategies and plans that work seamlessly together. The contractor will work under the direction of the Director of Planning and Codes Compliance, Planning Staff, as designated, and the Williamsburg Planning Commission. In addition to the standard elements required in a Comprehensive Plan, as outlined in the Code of Virginia Sections 15.2-2223, 15.2-2223.2, 15.2-2223.3, 15.2-2223.5, the updated plan will address the following areas:

1. 1. Connectivity
2. 2. Demographic Analysis
3. 3. Economic Development Strategy & Market Analysis
4. 4. Housing: Neighborhood and Community Character, Creating a Sense of Place
5. 5. Infrastructure Capacity
6. 6. Parking
7. 7. Public Health and Planning
8. 8. Resilience
9. 9. Street Network Analysis and Complete Streets Policy
10. 10. Transportation Plan Evaluation and Improvement Recommendation

QUALIFICATIONS

Extensive experience in managing a Comprehensive Plan update, Ability to think critically and provide varied solutions to complex local and regional challenges, Proven experience in conducting economic development and market analysis with the end goal of providing relevant and proven strategies, Ability to effectively communicate to an elected board and appointed bodies, Effective communication and outreach skills to a diverse audience, Ability to provide diverse community input sessions that mirror the interaction and participation of city-led engagement efforts, Manage, update, and engage with participants on an online platform and/or mobile application, Excellent computer skills, writing, and communication skills, and Excellent graphic, presentation, and design layout abilities.

SUBMISSION

Please submit the following documentation with your quote by January 13, 2025.

1. RFQ cover page and Submission Form,
2. Provide a detailed narrative responding to the requested scope of work and the consultants' ability to meet the RFP's requests,
3. Resume of all people on the team who would participate in this project. The City welcomes collaborative efforts across disciplines. Be sure to provide the name of the firm on each resume if different firms are collaborating to meet the scope of work,
4. Links to previous Comprehensive Plans and other relevant work,
5. Proposed number and type of community interactive meetings,
6. Provide a strategy that will be used to engage diverse populations, backgrounds, ages, social economics, etc., into the Comprehensive Plan process,
7. Provide the methodology and strategy to answer the questions posed in the RFP. Answer how the consultant gathers, evaluate, synthesize and present the answers to the questions posed in the RFP,
8. Provide previous references and link to on-line public engagement platforms created and/or managed by the consultant to engage the public in the planning process,
9. Proposed itemized budget,
10. Proposed timeline,
11. List of awards and recognitions for previous work, and
12. Current list of projects underway and date of completion.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The City of Williamsburg will base the initial and final evaluation of a candidate on the following criteria:

• Project Strategy & Execution: research methodology, information gathering strategy, and evaluation. 25%
• Performance and outcome of previous Comprehensive Plan projects: how well the candidate's mission and past work align with the City's values and goals outlined in the RFP. 20%
• Community Engagement Strategies: Candidates will be scored on their ability to design innovative, inclusive approaches that engage a broad range of residents. 20%
• Marketing of the Comprehensive Plan process to the public, with experience hosting/managing public engagement platforms. Design of final project deliverable 15%
• Cost of Service 10% Relevant Qualifications & Experience and References 5% Financial/Legal History 5%