Title
Resolution to Authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Market Ventures, Inc. for Farmers Market Visioning & Engagement Plan (RFP #26-18) ($416,829.00) and Accept and Appropriate Funds ($248,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration is a resolution to authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Market Ventures, Inc. for consulting services to develop and implement a visioning and public engagement process to summarize the needs, desires and values of the Ann Arbor community as it relates to the City of Ann Arbor’s Farmers Market.
In May 2024, the Farmers Market office building was closed and slated for demolition due to structural issues. The Farmers Market stalls (i.e. the roof-like structure that provides cover for vendors and patrons) remain intact, though investments are currently underway to repair and replace corroded support columns. In addition, the City’s Parks & Recreation ADA Transition Plan and Parks & Recreation Asset Management Plan have both identified substantial barriers and costs associated with continuing Farmers Market operations as-is.
The aging infrastructure of the Farmers Market, underscored by the unexpected condemnation of the office building, has prompted the City to initiate a public visioning process that will identify community needs and desires for the Farmers Market. This public visioning process will assist the City in improving and developing the Farmers Market’s function within the community, its operations, and its amenities.
At a minimum, this engagement and visioning process would (1) establish background & context, (2) assess the Farmers Market’s current amenities, operations and programming, (3) identify priorities for the future, and (4) synthesize and summarize options for the future of the Farmers Market. Across this visioning process, the community and stakeholder conversations would be contextualized by the Parks & Recreation ADA Transition Plan and the Parks & Recreation Asset Management Plan.
Staff estimate the process will run for approximately twelve (12) months, likely starting in January 2027, with submission of a final report to the City anticipated by December 2027. The consultant selected to lead this process would coordinate work closely with the Parks & Recreation staff, the Public Market Advisory Commission, the Park Advisory Commission, the Downtown Development Authority and any other established support committees, focus groups or organizations relevant to this project.
Input collected from this process will guide future conversations and budgeting by the City for Farmers Market improvements and investments. The outcome will serve as a basis for strategic investments in design and capital infrastructure at the Farmers Market, balancing community needs and values for the Farmers Market with City resources and capacity.
Procurement
The City issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #26-18 in April 2026, and fifteen (15) proposals were received. A selection committee comprised of Parks & Recreation and Downtown Development Authority staff reviewed and scored the proposals. Three firms were selected for interviews. After the interview process, the selection committee recommended proceeding with Market Ventures, Inc as the consultant for this project.
Market Ventures, Inc also received the highest score among the proposals reviewed. Staff recommend approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Market Ventures, Inc. for consulting services to develop and implement a visioning and public engagement process for the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding is available for this in the approved Parks Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage funds, and funding support will also come from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Contingent upon DDA Board approval, the DDA would contribute $248,000.00 (59.5%) to this contract. A 10% contingency ($37,893.00) is requested to cover potential contract change orders to be approved by the City Administrator. Based on Market Ventures, Inc.’s proposed fee of $378,936.00 and City staff’s recommended contingency, it is requested that $416,829.00 be approved for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year.
Staff
Prepared by: Remy Long, Deputy Manager, Parks & Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Josh Landefeld, Manager, Parks & Recreation Services
Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The unexpected condemnation and subsequent demolition of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market office building has presented a unique opportunity to collect and consider the community’s needs and desires for a public market prior to the City initiating any budgeting and planning processes for future capital improvements; and
Whereas, Market Ventures, Inc. was selected via a competitive request for proposals (RFP #26-18) to support the City’s development and implementation of a visioning and public engagement process for the Ann Arbor Farmers Market;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves entering a professional services agreement with Market Ventures, Inc. in the amount of $378,936.00 for public market visioning and public engagement services based on the RFP response;
RESOLVED, That a contingency amount of $37,893.00 is established within the project budget and the City Administrator is authorized to approve change orders not to exceed that amount;
RESOLVED, That contingent upon approval by the Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”) City Council accepts and appropriates $248,000.00 from the DDA to the FY 2027 Parks Maintenance & Capital Improvements Millage with the source of revenue coming from the DDA;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves entering a contribution agreement with the DDA for the $248,000.00 contribution from the DDA toward the professional services agreement;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute a professional services agreement with Market Ventures, Inc. and the contribution agreement with the DDA after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That all funds be available for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the implementation of this resolution is contingent upon the Downtown Development Authority board approving a contribution of $248,000.00 toward the professional services agreement; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution, exercise all determinations and authority delegated to the City under any agreement contemplated by this resolution, and negotiate, execute, and manage all ancillary documents, instruments, and agreements after approval by the City Attorney.