Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Co-Director of Planning and the Manager of Real Estate Services

SUBJECT:

Gastown (former Woodwards) Parkades - Award of Consultant Services

 

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the appointment of the consultant team headed by Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects, at a cost of $195,920 plus GST and disbursements, for the Phase I services discussed in the report, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.

COUNCIL POLICY

City Council approval is required to appoint the consultant if the gross cost exceeds $30,000.

PURPOSE

This report is to request Council approval for the appointment of a consultant team for the Phase I work related to the Gastown (former Woodwards) Parkades.

BACKGROUND

On July 25, 1995, Council approved In Camera a recommendation for the purchase of the Woodwards Parkades at 125 West Cordova Street and 130-160 Water Street. Council also approved a recommendation to pursue structural and seismic upgrading work, then estimated to cost approximately $3,000,000 to $4,500,000.

On May 27, 1997 Council approved the following recommendations:

DISCUSSION

Following Council approval to hire a consultant, Engineering Services issued an invitation for Expressions of Interest for the following consultant services:

· analysis, preliminary design, and preliminary cost estimate of seismic upgrades;
· inventory of structurally deficient areas, preliminary design and preliminary cost estimate of structural repairs;
· market research study, preliminary design, and preliminary cost estimate for the ground-level commercial, retail development, and facade renovation of the Cordova Street Parkade.
· for the Water Street Parkade: market research study, preliminary design, and preliminary cost estimate for (i) building out of parkade structure to property line to allow potential commercial development; (ii) reorganization of ground-level retail; (iii) relocation of the Parkade elevators to Water Street frontage; and (iv) facade renovation.

The services described above represent Phase I of the project. Staff will report back to Council with the results of the Phase I work, and, if appropriate, will seek Council approval for (i) the authority to proceed with Phases II and III and (ii) the identification of sources of funding for the Phases II and II work. If approved, consultant services for Phase II are expected to comprise the final designs and cost estimates, development permit application, and preparation of tender documents, while Phase III consultant services would consist of construction supervision and inspection services.

Expressions of Interest were submitted by fourteen consultant teams, and were evaluated based on the firms’ expertise in the areas of parkade design, seismic upgrades, structural repairs, work experience in heritage areas, knowledge of Gastown, and experience in the public consultation process.

From the Expressions of Interest, four consultant teams (consisting of architects, engineering consultants, and market research consultants) were shortlisted and invited tomake submissions in the Request for Proposal for Consultant Services:

· Joe Y. Wai Architect / Jones Kwong Kishi / G.P. Rollo & Associates;
· Soren Rasmussen Architects / Read Jones Christoffersen / Development Consulting Group;
· Busby + Associates Architects / Read Jones Christoffersen / Harris Hudema Consulting Group;
· Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects / Read Jones Christoffersen / Colliers International Realty Advisors.

Engineering Services, in consultation with Real Estate Services, Central Area Planning, and Heritage Planning, reviewed the proposals and interviewed each consultant team. Proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. The reputation, relevant experience and technical capability in the areas of:

2. The demonstrated ability and experience to lead an effective public consultation process, particularly with experience in Gastown.

3. The completeness of the consultant team, proposed methodology, work plan, schedule, and overall response to the Terms of Reference.

4. The overall cost of the proposal, including the addition of applicable taxes to the prices quoted, and the fee structure proposed.

5. The best value to the City based solely on the City's assessment of the proposal.

Staff recommend that the consultant team headed by Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects be awarded the contract for Phase I consultant services at a cost of $195,920, plus GST and disbursements. Staff base their recommendation on the criteria listed above with special regard to the following:

1. The team’s ability to effectively conduct the public process which will be key to the project’s success. Ron Yuen has experience with the community interestgroups, ranging from the Downtown Eastside residents to the business community.

2. Davidson Yuen Simpson’s track record for buildings that are sensitive to their heritage setting.

3. Davidson Yuen Simpson and Read Jones Christoffersen’s past experience and working knowledge of the Woodwards building and parkades.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

On May 27, 1997 Council approved a total of $200,000 funded from the Parking Sites Reserve for consultant services related to Phase I of the seismic and structural upgrading, retail and commercial development of the Gastown parkades.

Submitted consultant fees for the Phase I were as follows:

· Joe Y. Wai Architect $202,885
· Soren Rasmussen Architects $200,000
· Busby + Associates Architects $200,000
· Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects $195,920

Upon completion of the Phase I work, staff will report back to Council with the results of that phase, together with recommendations for consultant fees and a project budget for Phases II and III.

This report seeks Council’s approval for the selection of a consultant team for Phase I only, with no commitment to that team for subsequent phases.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommend that Council approve the appointment of the consultant team headed by Davidson Yuen Simpson Architects, at a cost of $195,920 plus GST and disbursements, for the Phase I services discussed in the report, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services. Based on the evaluation criteria discussed in the report, staff believe that this team provides the City with the best value for fee, particularly because of its knowledge of Gastown and ability to effectively lead the public consultation process.

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ag990615.htm

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