REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Lake City Floodplain Park Restoration Design Project

05/06/2020

DJC Announcement:

Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group (MSFEG) is seeking proposals from qualified design teams to

work with the community, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), and Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to

develop conceptual and preliminary designs for a floodplain reconnection project and assist in

community engagement. The project will restore and reconnect the floodplain in the North Branch of

Thornton Creek in a 0.9-acre parcel to improve flood storage, water quality, and in-stream and riparian

habitat. This design project is being funded through grants from the King County Flood Control District

and King County Wastewater Treatment Division. Funding in the amount of $210,000 is available for this

design project from these grants.

Proposals are due Thursday, May 28th, 2020 by 4:30 pm. Information about the project and submittal

requirements can be requested by emailing Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group at

ben@midsoundfisheries.org.

Project Location:

The publicly owned 0.9-acre parcel is located in the Lake City Neighborhood of North Seattle on NE 125th

St, approximately 6 blocks west of Lake City Way. The North Branch of Thornton Creek flows through the

parcel. See attached maps for more information.

Project Background:

Thornton Creek is a highly urbanized creek that suffers from frequent flooding events, poor water quality, and high peak flows. The creek’s natural flood storage has been significantly diminished over the last century due to development, including both direct loss of floodplains through houses built in the floodplain, as well as indirect loss as the creek was disconnected from its historic floodplain. The altered hydrology of the basin has resulted in increased stormwater runoff, more frequent flooding events, higher peak flows, and degraded water quality. Thornton Creek is listed as an impaired water body by the Washington Department of Ecology for fecal coliform, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Over the years, stormwater runoff during winter storms has led to chronic flooding, which has caused damage to public infrastructure and private property. Previous large-scale flood reduction and stream restoration projects on Thornton Creek include the Kingfisher and the Thornton Confluence floodplain projects. Lake City is a highly diverse mixed-use neighborhood that has a rapidly growing multifamily residential housing and pedestrian retail and services core, but lacks urban greenspace. Past neighborhood planning has identified Thornton Creek as a feature of community pride and has prioritized improving visual and physical access to the creek. The privately-owned parcel was listed for sale in 2018 and quickly identified by the community as a high priority to protect and restore. SPR and SPU jointly purchased the site to create a public greenspace and restore the site for multiple benefits. After restoration is complete, SPU will manage the in-stream habitat (below OWHM) while SPR will manage the upland habitat (above OWHM). Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group was chosen to lead public engagement and manage the development of conceptual designs for the site.

The site area includes approximately 200 linear ft of stream, ~21,000 sq. ft of potential floodplain habitat, and ~19,000 sq. ft of upland habitat. Restoration of the site will create multiple benefits including: decreased downstream flooding, improved water quality, reduced erosion and sedimentation, improved creek habitat for fish and aquatic life, greater system resiliency due to lower stream velocities, easier maintenance and future replacement of the undersized NE 125th culvert, and increased public access to greenspace. Migratory salmonids are currently blocked by several downstream fish passage barriers, but over time the site will become more important for fish habitat as those barriers are removed. Cutthroat trout and other aquatic life are supported by the site and would benefit from restoration. The NE 125th St culvert downstream of the site is undersized. Future replacement by SPU is anticipated, but is not a current priority. The floodplain project should be able to function before and after culvert replacement. A number of community members and groups are highly invested in the project and eager to participate in the planning process. This initial phase of the project will incorporate ideas from the community, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Seattle Public Utilities to create conceptual designs and conduct an options analysis, select a preferred alternative for the site, and develop the preferred alternative to 30% design. The site area could potentially be expanded. SPR and SPU are investigating adding adjacent parcels to the project area through a transfer of jurisdiction and potential easements with private properties. Project Scope: Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group (MSFEG) seeks a licensed design consultant

team including outreach specialists to:

1. Complete Site Characterization:

• Produce a technical memo to include: geomorphology assessment, preliminary

geotechnical assessment, habitat survey, OHWM and wetland delineations, utilities

survey, literature review, and site hydrology.

• SPU will complete and provide the site survey and base map.

2. Collaborate on Community Engagement:

• Community engagement will be completed in close coordination with MSFEG staff to

plan and host community meetings and conduct stakeholder outreach in three stages:

i. Initial Awareness: introduce partner agencies, develop timelines, meet with

stakeholders in public meetings and targeted outreach, and gather community

interest, goals, and concerns, establish metrics for success from public

perspective.

ii. Present draft alternatives to the community, solicit input on pros and cons of

each from stakeholders.

iii. Present preferred alternative to the community, summary of public feedback,

and next steps for the project.

• Consultant team will be responsible for the following:

i. Conduct outreach to broader Lake City community, including communities of

color and nearby income-restricted housing. There should be a focused effort to

address race and social justice in the process and design (with ideas from SPU’s

Environmental Justice and Service Equity toolkit adapted and expanded to this

specific area). For example, there should be opportunities for members of the

community that do not speak English as their first language to engage in the

public dialogue and input process.

ii. Collaborate on planning and facilitation of 3-4 community events/meetings. If

necessary, provide translation services.

iii. Create outreach and presentation material as needed, including in non-English

languages if necessary.

iv. Compile stakeholder input and ensure there is a formal process ensuring input is

incorporated.

v. Assist with online/mail outreach strategies and online meetings/surveys as

needed if in person meetings are not possible or limited due to COVID-19

related restrictions or concerns.

• MSFEG Staff will be responsible for the following:

i. Stakeholder outreach to established Lake City community groups, tabling at

community events, stakeholder outreach to neighbors directly adjacent to site,

managing social media and project website, and collaborate on the planning and

facilitation of 3-4 community meetings.

3. Develop conceptual designs, select preferred alternative, and develop 30% design for floodplain

reconnection to reduce flooding, improve water quality, improve aquatic and terrestrial habitat,

and increase public access to green space.

• Develop 3 conceptual alternative designs based on the environmental site

characterization, community feedback, and SPU/SPR requirements (See Appendix 1).

• Coordinate with SPR for upland restoration design and public access.

• Provide high level cost estimates for alternative designs based on SPU 2017 Cost

Estimating Guide.

• Prepare a preliminary Engineering Report meeting SPU and SPR design standards.

• Develop list of required permits and associated timelines.

• Develop preliminary design (30% design) for preferred alternative.

• Work with relevant permitting agencies throughout the process to ensure that the

designs meet relevant standards.

4. If future funding is secured, MSFEG could opt to continue the project to complete further design

work with the selected consultant if they wish to do so.

See figures showing project location, site photos, project alternatives, and performance requirements at the end of this RFP.

Project Contacts: For questions related to this RFP contact MSFEG at ben@midsoundfisheries.org.

Project Implementation Schedule

Activity Responsible Person / Group Target Month Target Date

1. Meeting and site walk with consultant, SPU, and SPR

Mid Sound July 2020

2. Site Characterization Consultant November 2020

3. Demolition of existing site structures

SPR December 2020

4. Community Engagement for options analysis: Initial Awareness

Mid Sound/Consultant October 2020

5. Develop 3 conceptual designs, for the various alternatives considered

Consultant March 2021

6. Meeting to discuss preliminary alternatives with SPU, SPR

Consultant/Mid Sound March 2021

7. Community Engagement for options analysis: Present draft alternatives

Consultant/Mid Sound April 2021

8. Consultant meet with Mid Sound, SPR, SPU to review public input and determine preferred alternative.

Consultant/Mid Sound April 2021

9. Update preferred alternative and finalize report for conceptual design.

Consultant June 2021

10. Community Engagement for options analysis: 3. Present on preferred alternative and public input.

Consultant/Mid Sound June 2021

11. Complete required permit list with timeline.

Consultant June 2021

12. Consultant develops preferred alternative to preliminary design (30%) or further as funding allows.

Consultant September 2021

Throughout the process, community engagement and evaluation of the alternatives will be coordinated

with input from a project team including representatives from Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group,

Seattle Public Utilities, and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

DUE DATES

All proposals are due by 5/28/2020 at 4:30pm. Proposals shall be submitted via e-mail to the Mid Sound

Fisheries Enhancement Group at ben@midsoundfisheries.org

SCHEDULE

1. RFP Advertisement posted in the DJC 5/06/20

2. Optional Pre-Proposal Virtual Site Tour (Zoom Video Call) Email ben@midsoundfisheries.org to receive a link for the meeting. An attendee list will be posted at www.midsoundfisheries.org to encourage communication between potential project members.

5/13/20 10:30 AM

2. Proposal Due Date 5/28/20 4:30 PM

3. Interviews of selected firms week of 6/01/20

4. Contract offer week of 6/08/20

5. Contract signed and notice to proceed week of 6/15/20

Answers to clarifying questions and if necessary any revisions to the RFP, will be posted at

www.midsoundfisheries.org.

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Project Budget

The design of the floodplain reconnection and associated instream restoration is funded through a King

County Flood Control District grant and King County Wastewater Treatment Division Waterworks grant

for a total of $210,000 for professional services. The overall project budget for acquisition and options

analysis is approximately $2M.

Design Team Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community outreach and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

• Experience facilitating large community meetings.

• Experience working with SPU Stage Gate process.

• Experience and knowledge of hydraulic designs that reduce flooding through natural flood storage

solutions.

• Experience or familiarity with hyporheic zone design.

• Relevant experience with stream restoration projects in urban watersheds to improve stream

habitat for fish and other aquatic species.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Please send application materials as a single PDF (max 15MB) to MSFEG at ben@midsoundfisheries.org

by 4:30 pm on 5/28/20. Direct questions to MSFEG at ben@midsoundfisheries.org.

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

1. Letter of interest (1 page) identify lead firm, project manager, and key staff proposed to work on the

project.

2. Proposal: 12 page faces maximum. Letter of interest, title page, resumes, and photos not counted

toward page limitation. Proposal shall include the following:

• Profile of the firm, including number of employees, location, number of years in business, relevant

experience (especially in regards to community engagement and stream restoration design), and

identification of any sub-consultants including their relevant experience.

• Description of your project understanding and your approach to satisfying the requirements of the

scope. Please make sure to include how your process will be inclusive and address race and social

justice.

• Qualification of the team as it relates to this project, including:

o Resumes of the project manager and key staff assigned to work on the project.

o Availability of staff to work on this project.

o Description of similar recent projects completed, including year completed, how well the

project met the scope, timeline, budget, construction cost, references, and owner’s

representative contact information. Demonstrated success in designing similar projects with

grant funding is a plus.

• At least two professional references (including contact information) for similar projects.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation team including Mid Sound Fisheries Staff and SPU staff will rate and select consultants

for interviews and make the final selection based on the following criteria:

Selection Criteria Points

Description of project understanding and approach to completing scope of work in

accordance with project implementation schedule target dates

20

Experience working with community groups and public agencies, facilitation of

community meetings and workshops, and consultations with volunteer committees.

Demonstrated ability to facilitate an inclusive process that is sensitive to race, social

justice, and underserved communities.

25

Experience and knowledge of stream restoration projects to reduce flooding while

restoring natural processes, particularly in urban streams.

35

Enthusiasm and excitement for the project, quality of presentation and specificity of

submittal for this project.

20

TOTAL POINTS 100

Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group may at their discretion and without explanation to the

prospective Consultants, at any time choose to discontinue this RFP without obligation to such

prospective Consultants. The hiring process will be competitive and fair. Women and minority owned

businesses are encouraged to apply. MSFEG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and selection of the

Consultant is subject to applicable laws and ordinances regarding equal opportunity employment.

A. Project Location

B. Site map: project parcel in yellow, both structures to be demolished by SPR.

C. Viewing North into site from NE 125th St.

D. View from footbridge north, during Dec 20th, 2019 storm.

E. View from footbridge south towards NE 125th St Culvert

Appendix A

Project alternative guidelines: Project alternative should incorporate elements generally consistent with

these four options.

Option 1: Basic Restoration

Option 2: Maximum public use. Option 1 plus trails, pedestrian crossing, additional public use priorities

Option 3. Maximum Flood Storage, Water Quality, and Habitat Benefits

Option 4 (Hybrid): combining elements from the three alternatives above and/or expanded work on

adjacent sites. To be developed after analysis and public engagement for the first three options.

Performance Requirements: All design options must include the following elements.

• Reduce erosive peak flow discharges and channel incision

• Avoid impacts to neighboring properties

• Increase sediment diversity and improve channel to support more balanced sediment

transport within the project reach

• Increase instream hydraulic complexity

• Maintain adequate baseflow

• Address underground infrastructure challenges

• Plan for future culvert work

• Design to facilitate long-term operations and maintenance.

• Design for vegetation enhancement and management

• Provide cost estimates, consistent with SPU 2017 Cost Estimating Guide for Options Analysis

• Develop monitoring plan (Pre and Post Construction)

• Manage runoff entering the creek from NE 125th St public storm drain.