Issue Statement: The CRA requires additional resources to implement the 2017-2022 CRA Strategic Plan. The selection of a consultant with expertise in downtown revitalization, redevelopment, marketing, real estate development, and successful implementation of the 5-year plan is needed to work with the CRA.
Recommended Action: The CRA Board approve the ranking order for CRA Consulting Services submitted by the Selection Committee for RFQ #060917. Under a separate agenda item, the CRA Board will provide the selection of the consultant, organization or firm with expertise in downtown revitalization, redevelopment, marketing, real estate development, and successful implementation to work with the CRA.
From 2011 - 2015, the CRA contracted with Redevelopment Management Associates, Inc. (RMA) for consulting services in developing a Five Year Strategic Plan and implementation of the Plan including marketing/branding and program development and management. For the four contract years, RMA was paid:
FY12 - $227,100
FY13 - $245,615
FY14- $300,700
FY 15- $55,700 (3 month period)
After the end of the 3 month RMA agreement in December 2015, City CRA staff continued to administer the programs with the assistance of a number of consultants. Although the transition has been smooth, given the current workload of the department, it is now necessary to seek a consultant through a Request for Qualification process that will assist with the implementation of the newly updated CRA Plan.
The CRA requested proposers to submit responses to the attached RFQ #060917. Seven sealed proposals were submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on June 9, 2017. Subsequently, an Evaluation Committee reviewed and ranked the submissions.
Since 2016, the City and the CRA embarked in a variety of areas of planning. The Retail Coach was hired to analyze our retail needs and assist in retail recruitment. There were funds budgeted for a Retail Plan, Mobility Plan, Facility Plan, Parks Master Plan and Five Year CRA Strategic Plan Update. All these plans and studies are interrelated and interdependent to a degree.
In April 2016, the CRA contracted with The Corradino Group for the Mobility Plan that was completed and presented to the Commission in February 2017.
In addition, the City contracted R. Miller Consulting to coordinate activities related to the Downtown Mixed Use District. Ms. Renee Miller reported to the CRA Board in April 2016 on the current DMUD regulations. Ms. Miller’s presentation was well received and she has continued to work on redevelopment projects with City staff. Her knowledge of redevelopment in South Florida and the key players has been invaluable. In August 2016, the CRA Board approved a contract with R. Miller Consulting to update the CRA Strategic Plan.
The 2017-2022 Oakland Park Community Redevelopment Strategic Action Plan was approved by the CRA Board at the April 19, 2017 meeting. The Plan includes recommended Capital Improvement Projects, Public/Private Partnerships and Policies and Programs.