CITY OF FRANKLIN DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT City of Franklin, Indiana Comprehensive Plan Update Request for Proposals 1. Introduction The City of Franklin, Indiana, is seeking proposals from Indiana based professional consulting firms and multi- disciplinary teams to update the 2002 Comprehensive Plan. This document will guide community decision making for the next 10-15 years. This document and map exhibits will provide a framework to promote orderly development consistent with the values, goals, and objectives of the community. The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2002 but has become outdated and is no longer viewed as an effective policy guide. A new planning document is needed to help integrate land use, zoning, transportation, housing, environmental, economic development, and public facilities decisions and policies with the City of Franklin. 2. Background and History Franklin is the county seat of Johnson County, Indiana. Other significant nearby communities include Whiteland, New Whiteland, and Greenwood to the north, and Edinburgh and Columbus to the south. The population was 23,712 at the 2010 census. The 2000 census reported 19,463 people. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s. Franklin is located about 20 miles south of Indianapolis and was named after Benjamin Franklin. The government consists of a mayor, clerk-treasurer, and city council of seven members. The mayor and clerk-treasurer are elected by citywide vote. Five city council members are elected from individual districts, and two are elected at-large. Located in Franklin is Franklin College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1834 and the first in the state to admit women. Its approximately 1,000 students add to the life of the city and college events are open to the community. Downtown Franklin is noted for the number of well-maintained, older houses. Landmark buildings include the Johnson County Courthouse and the Artcraft Theatre. In the 1980s, a private non-profit group, Franklin Heritage, Inc., was formed by citizens to preserve and restore its historic assets for new purposes. It now owns the Artcraft Theatre which is a community center for film, art, and special events. The Franklin Parks and Recreation Department maintains several miles of walking trails through the city, which connect various parks, community centers, the public library, and the public pool. There are three small waterways in Franklin: Canary Creek and Hurricane Creek flow into Young’s Creek. These creeks flood frequently. In the June 2008 Midwest floods, all of these streams overflowed, damaging or destroying more than 100 houses throughout Franklin. Several major international companies have operations in the city: NSK, KYB and Mitsubishi. The city has worked hard over the years to strengthen its international connections. Franklin is the home of the first Ritters Frozen Custard, which became a national brand. 3. Scope of Services The selected consultant will be responsible for providing all required services necessary to complete the City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Update and will utilize the current Comprehensive Plan as the basis of the work program. The consultant will be expected to complete the minimum tasks: • Review and synthesize the critical components of a variety of plan documents completed over the past several years, including but not limited to: 2005 Downtown Revitalization Plan, 2009 Gateways, Greenways and Redevelopment Study, Downtown Franklin Development Potential Market Analysis, the Parks Department Master Plan, and the Façade Revitalization Plan. • Review the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance and give implementation steps and recommendations regarding how to carry out the intention of the plan. • Assess existing conditions and trends including land use, demographics (including future projections), commercial development, transportation linkages, housing issues, key growth areas, redevelopment areas, infrastructure needs, etc. • Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) with clear and concise objectives with a focus on policy formulation and strategic approaches. State specific action steps, responsible party, recommended funding mechanisms, etc. • Make recommendations for special area plans for targeting problems and solutions unique to certain locations. • Be available to meet with staff, elected officials, etc. to ascertain the direction and policy of the City of Franklin as necessary. The City expects the consultant to respond to routine questions which do not require considerable research on a complimentary basis. • The preparation of task lists for any information or action steps that will be necessary following initial staff meeting with the selected consultant. • Be available to appear at all public meetings (including workshops, open houses, public hearings, etc.) with the appropriate City of Franklin representatives for presentation of plans, maps and graphics. • Facilitate the public participation process and public outreach campaign in order to ensure that the public is engaged in the formation of the vision and plan. Solicit public feedback and gauge public sentiment. Work with staff to use community surveys, focus groups, or whatever mechanisms the consultant proposed to gather input. Comprehensive planning by its definition is a complex undertaking and will require dedicated collaboration among City leadership, stakeholders, staff and consultant. The desired outcomes of an effective Comprehensive Plan will be to: • Develop ample opportunities for public input – bringing the broadest possible representation of residents and area stakeholders to the process; • Establish a renewed vision for the City of Franklin with supportive policies; • Develop an innovative and integrated plan that will guide planning for the area for years to come; • Provide local officials with the knowledge and tools to make sound decisions over time; • Integrate the residents’ intuitive knowledge of the City with a clear understanding of the conditions and trends affecting the area; and • Provide clear information and compelling visuals to allow for informed decisions and a clear understanding of all aspects of The Plan. 4. Submission Requirements Prospective consultants shall submit 5 hard copies and one digital copy of their Statement of Qualifications no later than Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 4:00 pm. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Proposals shall be delivered to City Hall at the following address: Krista Linke, Director of Planning & Economic Development 70 E. Monroe Street, 3rd Floor Franklin, Indiana 46131 Specific inquiries shall be directed to Krista Linke at (317) 736-3631 or by email at [email protected]. The following items shall be included in proposal: A. A brief written description of the Consultant Team’s understanding of the project and detailed approach to the project, including information for each element in the proposed work plan. B. The expertise of the team assembled by the Consultant to carry out the work. C. A list of comparable projects undertaken by the Consultant and/or team members in the last five years, with references for each project. D. A copy of at least one municipal Comprehensive Plan previously created by the consultant which has been adopted by the municipality. E. A description of the type and level of support the consultant will require/expect from the city through each phase of the project, including planning staff support, GIS maps/data, provision of meeting space, meeting materials and meeting logistics, additional supporting data, etc. F. Estimated budget based on the scope of services and the proposed approach detailing the time and budget allocated to each phases and/or task. G. Fee schedule for completion of additional services if additional services were to be requested by the City. H. A detailed work program and schedule showing anticipated start and realistic finish dates for all major tasks. Consultant should define and outline proposed work elements, plan components, number of meetings proposed, project deliverables, and any other assumptions made. Supporting documentation including referenced planning documents and relevant ordinances can be found on the City’s website: www.franklin.in.gov/planning. 5. Selection Process A Selection Committee will be established to review qualification statements received. From this review, a maximum of three firms will be selected for interviews. Interviews will be conducted the week of May 14th. If a contract cannot be successfully negotiated with the best qualified firm, the selection committeelu will proceed to negotiate a contract with the second best qualified firm. Services will be paid for out of local funds. The City of Franklin reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. .