Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with SmithGroup - $200,000 Community Engagement and $265,000 Pre-Entitlement ($465,000 total)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor issued a Request for Proposal for Community Engagement related to the redevelopment of 350 S. 5th as affordable housing. Four bids were received and the SmithGroup was selected by a team of City staff including the AAHC Executive Director, and a contract was executed. SmithGroup's contract was amended to add 415 W Washington to the Community Engagement process. Funding was provided by the City of Ann Arbor and the Downtown Development Authority.
The AAHC collaborated with SmithGroup, City, County, DDA and AAATA staff to create a plan and process to conduct multiple community engagement sessions related to design concepts for 350 S 5th & 415 W Washington and to a lesser degree 8 other city-owned properties. The SmithGroup created informational videos, a website, surveys, conceptual designs, Virtual Reality designs, and feedback processes to help understand the Community's vision around development of these sites.
Staff recommended to City Council to use the information gathered from the Community Engagement Process and move to the pre-entitlement stage for 350 S. 5th Ave and 415 W. Washington and to further the Community Engagement process at 121 E. Catherine, 353 S. Main, 721 N. Main and the surface parking lots at the corner of Ashley/William and 1st/William.
Because the AAHC will be the petitioner and developer of these sites, City staff decided that the AAHC should manage the contract in continued collaboration with City, DDA, County and AAATA staff.
The Ann Arbor DDA approved $200,000 in funding to the AAHC for the continued Community Engagement process to include a downtown housing study and a downtown parking study. In addition, the DDA approved $265,000 in funding to the AAHC for the pre-entitlement process for 350 S. 5th Ave.
The AAHC Procurement Policy requires the AAHC to use a se...
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