HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1815City of Palo Alto (ID # 1815)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 7/25/2011
July 25, 2011 Page 1 of 5
(ID # 1815)
Council Priority: Land Use and Transportation Planning
Summary Title: Contract for Design Services for California Avenue
Title: Approval of a Contract with RBF Consulting in a Total Amount Not To
Exceed $350,000 for Design Services for the California Avenue Transit Hub
Corridor Project
From:City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract
with RBF Consulting (Attachment A) in the total amount not to exceed $350,000 for design
services for the California Avenue Transit Hub Corridor Enhancement project.
Executive Summary
The proposed California Avenue Transit Hub Corridor Improvements project provides for
streetscape improvements along California Avenue between El Camino Real and the California
Avenue Caltrain Station, including place-making identity markers, traffic calming treatments,
streetscape elements, parking enhancements, improvements to the Park Blvd. Park Plaza, and a
reduction from four lanes to two lanes of travel.
This design contract will include an extensive community outreach process intended to engage
the local residential and business communities to help determine design details of the project.
The design will include the development of a business enhancement plan to help retain access
and minimize physical and financial impacts to businesses during the construction phase. This
design process will also solicit input from the Architectural Review Board, Planning &
Transportation Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, and the City Council.
Construction of the project is expected to begin in the summer 2012.
Background
In October 2010, the City submitted an application to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
for Community Design for Transportation (CDT) Program funding for the California Avenue
Transit Hub Corridor Enhancement Project. The City Council authorized the filing of the grant
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request on December 6, 2010 with the VTA approving the grant application for project funding
in the amount of $1,175,200 on December 9, 2010.
Discussion
The California Avenue Transit Hub Corridor Improvements project includes the implementation
of new community identity markers, bicycle-parking and community focused improvements at
the California Avenue -Caltrain Plaza, transit-stop focused improvements, a 4 to 2 lane traffic
lane reduction and other traffic calming improvements, raised table crosswalks, enhanced
roadway delineations, increased vehicle and bicycle parking,high visibility pedestrian-activated
flashing beacons, and bulb-out improvements that could also function as outdoor dining areas.
The work will involve civil, landscape, and streetscape design features, and optional street
lighting improvements.
The goals of the project are to: a) transform California Avenue between El Camino Real and
California Avenue Caltrain Station into a community corridor with transit, bicycle and
pedestrian focused transportation treatments; b) renovate the California Avenue Caltrain Plaza
into a vibrant hub for bicycle-commuters and visitors; and c) provide best-practice pedestrian-
scaled improvements throughout the corridor to spur on-going economic development activity
and growth.
Summary of Solicitation Process
Proposal Description/Number Design services for the California Avenue Transit Hub
Corridor Enhancement project
Proposed Length of Project Design 1 year
Number of Proposals Mailed 8
Total Days to Respond to Proposal 28
Pre-proposal Meeting Date April 19, 2011
Number of Company Attendees at
Pre-proposal Meeting
17
Number of Proposals Received:5
Company Name Location (City, State)Selected for
oral interview?
RBF Consulting Walnut Creek, CA Yes
Bellecci & Associates Pleasanton, CA Yes
BKF San Jose, CA Yes
Kier & Wright Santa Clara, CA No
AECom San Jose, CA No
The proposals were judged by the following criteria:
·Quality and effectiveness of proposed solutions,
·Qualifications and experience of the staff assigned to the project,
·Proposal quality and completeness,
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·Response time and ability to perform the work,
·Fee
The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design of the California Avenue –Transit
Hub Corridor project on April 4, 2011. A mandatory pre-bidders conference was held on April
19th to help provide background regarding the project, encourage interaction between
potential project partners, and to gauge interest from the consultant community for the
project. Five proposals were received in response to the RFP. An evaluation committee
consisting of Public Works and Planning and Community Environment staff reviewed the
proposals and recommended the short-listing of three consultant teams based on proposal
content and criteria identified in the RFP.
The three firms were invited to participate in oral interviews held on June 2, 2011. The
interview committee consisted of staff from Transportation, Public Works and a representative
from the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC). The team of RBF Consulting and Gates
+ Associates was selected as the preferred consultant for the project because they
demonstrated superior knowledge of Design and Streetscape projects, illustrated innovative
ideas, and had a strong background in public outreach skills.
Public Outreach
The design phase will involve multiple community meetings as well as public hearings with the
Architectural Review Board, Planning &Transportation Commission, Parks & Recreation
Commission, and ultimately the City Council. During the design phase, which is estimated to
take approximately 12 months, specifics will be considered for the types and locations of the
various amenities (benches, markers, signs, tables, artwork, bicycle racks, newsracks, trash
receptacles, etc.) to be placed along the street, as well as the final configuration of the roadway
including options for sidewalk widening, parking design, bulb-outs, and crosswalk
enhancements. Details for the design of the plaza near the train station will also be reviewed
including coordination with the public artist selected for the new fountain at the plaza.
The design phase will also include an extensive community outreach process intended to
engage the local residential and business communities to help finalize design details. The design
will include the development of a business enhancement plan to help retain access and
minimize physical and financial impacts to businesses during the construction phase. Staff is
also working with Citizen 360 (an information sharing resource) to disseminate information
from the public and receive input to the design. Some of the issues identified thus far by the
Citizen 360 network include a) whether a bike sharing station will be incorporated, b) the use of
an architectural model to depict the project and options, and c) evaluating awnings over the
sidewalks for improved pedestrian comfort. Staff expects that the consultant will consider all of
these issues in the design.
Timeline
Immediately upon execution of a contract, the RBF Consultant Team will begin a field survey of
the project corridor and develop options to widen portions of the sidewalks along California
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Avenue, as requested by the City Council at its February 14,2011 meeting. The widening
alternatives will include renderings and cost scenarios to help solicit Council input, tentatively
scheduled for September. The design phase will be completed in early 2012, and construction is
estimated to begin in the summer of 2012 and to be complete by the end of the year.
Resource Impact
Funding for the design work is included in the Capital Improvement Program project PL-11002.
On February 14, 2011 (ID# 1320), Council approved the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to
fund the design phase and local match of the construction phase for the project in the amount
of $550,000. The construction phase of the project, currently estimated at $1,725,000, was
funded as part of the 2011—12 CIP program on June 13, 2011. A pending grant in the amount
of $1,175,000 from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) -Community Design
& Transportation (CDT) Capital program is anticipated to provide reimbursement during the
construction phase.
Policy Implications
The City’s Comprehensive Plan recommends that the City enhance the California Avenue
streetscape by upgrading the visual quality of the street to attract additional business and
visitors to the area. Consistent with those Comprehensive Plan goals, the proposed streetscape
and place-making improvements along California Avenue should ensure continued vitality of
the California Avenue Business District. The Comprehensive Plan also encourages a mix of
residential and non-residential uses at a scale of development that is comfortable for
pedestrian use. The Plan encourages improving the appearance of the street while preserving
its “home town” character. Also, Program L-18 specifically calls for street improvements that
could make a substantial contribution to the character of Commercial Centers, including
narrowing travel lanes.
Environmental Review
A preliminary Initial Study and the Negative Declaration -CEQA checklist for the project was
completed for the main conceptual components of the project and approved by Council on
February 14, 2011.The study showed no significant environmental impacts from the 4-lane to 2-
lane reduction.The Initial Study and CEQA checklist can be found online at
www.cityofpaloalto.org/calave. . During the detailed design phase, which will take
approximately 12 months, landscape and streetscape design details will be developed well as
the final configuration of the roadway. Upon completion of the design phase, CEQA will be
reevaluated based on the final details of the recommended improvements identified through
the community outreach and design process. A separate National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) environmental review process will be conducted by the State of California –Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) as a requirement of the grant-funding for the project.
Attachments:
·Attachment A: Contract with RBF Consulting for California Ave. Design Services (PDF)
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Prepared By:Shahla Yazdy, Traffic Engineer
Department Head:Curtis Williams, Director
City Manager Approval: James Keene, City Manager