Recommend approval of Amendment No. 1 to EDSA for the downtown streetscapes design services contract in the amount of $86,900.00.

On August 18, 2016, City Council awarded a contract with EDSA for downtown streetscape design services in the amount of $2,165,341.80. The original contract was for comprehensive planning, design, pre-construction, construction administration, and closeout services for the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Initiative. The corridors originally included in the contract were from Liberty Street to the Savannah River and from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to East Broad Street. The RFP stated that the City could retain the selected team for additional phases of this project.

This amendment is needed to include an additional phase of this project covering the area on West Bay Street from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Warner Street. City staff secured a proposal from EDSA to expand the scope for the Downtown Streetscape Project to include the 0.36-mile-long corridor from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Warner Street along West Bay Street (GA 25).

During the larger streetscape planning process, it became evident this portion of Bay Street needed to be incorporated into the project to enhance the entry into the Landmark Historic District. Project elements will include the potential for new sidewalks, new landscape, on-street parking, lighting and site furniture. The concepts will identify opportunities to maximize utilization of the street and associated land uses along the corridor areas through a mixture of compatible uses that both activates and celebrates the street. The design process will involve stakeholder and public input throughout the development of the conceptual master plan and the corresponding recommendations over a five-month period. Specific tasks will include:

1. Public involvement, including public workshops, consensus-building and staff meetings/hearing
2. Inventory and analysis of the streetscape potential
3. Development of a conceptual master plan including recommendations for implementation of the project

This is a natural continuation of the project and connects to Bay Street and the intersection of MLK/Bay which is part of the current project. 

The total amount of this contract to date, including this amendment, is $2,252,241.80.

Approval