Historic Design Guidlines ProCITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
June 14, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Consultant Selection for Historic District Design Guidelines Project
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens is recommending the selection of the
Durrant Group as the consultant to develop Historic District Design Guidelines for our
community.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
June 13, 2001
TO:
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Consultant Selection for Historic District Design Guidelines Project
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to recommend the consultant selection for the
development of Historic District Design Guidelines, for City Council review and
approval. A resolution is enclosed.
DISCUSSION
The project involves the creation of a manual of design guidelines for private
properties and a comprehensive urban design plan for public places and streetscape
improvements in the five historic districts. The selected consultant will work with a
larger steering committee, a community advisory group, and the general public.
The City has received a State grant of $7,500 for this project. The City also has
budgeted $500,000 over the next five years in the Capital Improvement Program
for streetscape improvements in historic districts. A portion of the first year's
allocation of $100,000 in this CIP is for a consultant to develop the urban design
plan.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was distributed to 28 consultants, with an estimated
project budget of $57,500. Three consultants responded to the RFP, indicating
their firm's interest but an inability to fit the project into their current workloads.
The one proposal that we received was from the Durrant Group, incorporating staff
from their Dubuque, Iowa and St. Charles, Illinois offices.
Historic District Design Guidelines
Page 2
A consultant selection committee consisting of Terry Mozena, Chairperson of the
Historic Preservation Commission, Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence, Assistant
Finance Director Dawn Lang, Neighborhood Development Specialist Jerelyn
O'Connor, Housing Rehabilitation Supervisor Joleen Patterson, Assistant Planner
Wally Wernimont and myself discussed Durrant's proposal.
A subcommittee consisting of Terry Mozena, Wally Wernimont and myself then
interviewed the project principals from Durrant. We confirmed that their project
scope and fees would deliver the product that the City desired within our timeline.
RECOMMENDATION
The consultant selection committee recommends that the City Council approve the
retention of the Durrant Group as the consultant to develop historic district design
guidelines for our community. Durrant's project team is well qualified, with
experience in design guidelines, streetscape plans and other historic preservation
projects. Members of the project team have completed similar projects in other
cities. In addition, members of the project team have worked on City projects in the
past, and are working on related City and community projects at present. Finally,
Durrant's proposed fee of $50,440 is within the project budget.
ACTION STEP
The requested action is for the City Council to adopt the enclosed resolution
selecting the Durrant Group as the consultant for this project, and authorizing staff
to negotiate a contract.
Enclosure
Icarsten/Hpc/(Jgm-csc,mem.doc
Prepared by: l. aura Carstens. City Planner
Address: City Hall
RESOLUTION NO. 259 -01
Telephone: 589-4210
RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN
GUIDELINES
Whereas, the State Historical Society of Iowa has awarded the City of Dubuque a
Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to develop a manual of design guidelines for
private properties in the city's historic districts; and
Whereas, the City Council has budgeted funds for the development of a
comprehensive urban design plan for public places and streetscapes in the city's historic
districts; and
Whereas, the City Council has determined that these projects should be completed
conc. urrently and with assistance from a qualified consultant.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the City Council does hereby award the contract for development of
historic district design guidelines to the Durrant Group of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 2. That the Planning Services Manager is hereby authorized to negotiate a
contract with the Durrant Group for this project in an amount not to exceed $50,440.00.
Passed, approved and adopted this 18th day of June, 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider City Clerk
, 2001.
Icarsten/grants/dgm.res