News Release - RFQ Issued for Midtown Site Planning and Engineering Design Services

 City of Rochester/Empire State Development

News Release

(Thursday, December 10, 2009) - Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy and Empire State Development Chairman & CEO designate Dennis M. Mullen announced today that the City has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Midtown site planning and engineering design services to fifteen pre-qualified firms, as listed on the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Region 4 Local Design Services Agreement (LDSA), for road design services.

“We are very excited about this critical step in shaping the future of Downtown,” said Mayor Duffy. “The Midtown Rising Project will bring the innovative character change required to revitalize Downtown and make it competitive nationally. It is our goal to attract people Downtown by building street level access to offices, retail and residences; providing on-street parking; promoting pedestrian traffic; and opening up the large Midtown block.”

“Infrastructure design is a very important component in the redevelopment of Midtown, as this contractor will help bring new life and character to downtown Rochester,” said Chairman Mullen. “It is important for us to select the proposal that best demonstrates a more attractive, safe and accessible street grid and parking for citizens and visitors alike. We are excited to see the proposed enhancements and will select the design that is most fitting for Rochester’s needs and goals for the future.”

Through the RFQ, the City requests each of the fifteen companies’ verification of interest in providing site planning and engineering design services for the Midtown Redevelopment Project including scoping, Phase I-IV design and City site/subdivision approval services for the 8.5-acre site located adjacent to E. Main Street, S. Clinton Avenue and E. Broad Street.

The range of work in the RFQ includes, but is not limited to:
• designing new streets, including an underground tunnel, utilities and necessary traffic improvements;
• designing a garage modification to strengthen load ratings to accommodate new street designs including modification of egress, pedestrian tunnels and code compliance;
• designing streets to create a destination that accommodates and engages active multimodal uses and street amenities (i.e. bike racks, waste containers, etc.); and
• designing a central square to include both formal and informal gathering places, as well as a tribute to the former Midtown Plaza mall atrium.

The City will conduct interviews with the project managers from each of the pre-selected companies. Consultants will make a brief presentation about their organization and their project approach and answer questions from the City’s selection team.

The tentative selection process and schedule is as follows:
• Submission of qualifications to City Engineer – December 15, 2009
• City notification of the short-listed consultant(s) – December 18, 2009
• Interviews with short-listed team(s) – January 5, 2010
• City Council Authorization of selected consultant – January 19, 2010

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News Media: For more information, Deputy Director of Communications Michael Keane at 428-6064.

Midtown Rising is a redevelopment partnership that will position Rochester for its future by significantly shaping the rebirth of the downtown core through major public and private investment, job creation and infrastructure development. For more information on this development effort, visit midtownrochesterrising.com.