Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Agreement with AECOM for Additional Design Services for the Park at RiversEdge
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Recommendation
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1. Approve selection of and the agreement with AECOM for pre-schematic and schematic design services through June 30, 2025 not-to-exceed $2,715,745.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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On November 25, 2014 the County Board accepted a Financing Plan to demolish the buildings and prepare the site for future development. Demolition and site work proceeded and on November 7, 2017 the board authorized the issuance of a Request for Development Interest (RDI) for the Riverfront Properties site.
As a result of the RDI, the board selected AECOM and approved a Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) on January 22, 2019. Since that time AECOM has worked to advance the project and through a series of amendments the County Board has authorized the extension of the PDA which is in effect through December 2024. AECOM has committed to perform additional design and engineering work to support the construction of the public realm. This agreement is consistent with the work required of the Fourth PDA approved by the board December 20, 2022.
On December 19, 2023, the board authorized an agreement with AECOM for Design Services for the Park at RiversEdge. That work has been completed and in order to advance the project additional design work is required.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
While this action has limited impact on racial equity in service delivery, it does pave the way for future development of both the public realm and eventual private vertical towers, both of which will be measured against the Equitable Development Framework. A future development agreement for Ramsey County Riverfront Properties will impact wages, contracting and workforce inclusion goals and access to affordable housing. Construction projects resulting from a future development agreement will include goals conforming with the county’s adoption of the state of Minnesota’s workforce inclusion and contracting goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This request for board action (RBA) is informed by years of shared community engagement and stated city and county goals. County staff met regularly throughout 2019 with staff from the city of Saint Paul in the City-County Working Group, which provided the basis of integration of the RiversEdge project with the city’s River Balcony plans. County staff remain engaged with the complimentary River Balcony project, including participation in several public gatherings focused on the city’s River Balcony initiative.
Current engagement work is a component of this RBA and proposed contract and will continue as the project moves forward. The Community and Economic Development department has contracted with NEOO Partners to build upon the discovery phase completed concurrently with the prior design contract.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The contract is not to exceed $2,715,745 and will be paid for with state bonding awarded in 2023. The agreement for state bonds is accounted for in the Community & Economic Development budget.
Last Previous Action
On December 19, 2023, the Ramsey County Board approved an Agreement with AECOM for Design Services for the Park at RiversEdge (Resolution B2023-251).
On December 20, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved the Fourth Preliminary Development Agreement with AECOM for the development of Ramsey County Riverfront Properties for the period of December 20, 2022 through December 31, 2024 (Resolution B2022-305).
On October 22, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved the Third Preliminary Development Agreement with AECOM for the development of Ramsey County Riverfront Properties for the period of October 21, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (Resolution B2020-206).
On January 22, 2019, the Ramsey County Board approved a Second Preliminary Development Agreement with AECOM for the development of Ramsey County Riverfront Properties for the period of January 22, 2019 through July 22, 2020 (Resolution B2019-027).
Attachments
1. Professional Services Agreement with AECOM
2. Equitable Development Framework