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
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected]
SCHEDULE
1. RFP Advertisement posted in the DJC 5/06/20
2. Optional Pre-Proposal Virtual Site Tour (Zoom Video Call) Email [email protected] 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 [email protected]
by 4:30 pm on 5/28/20. Direct questions to MSFEG at [email protected].
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.