LATE DISTRIBUTION
FOR P&E - MAY 16, 2002

Supports Item No. 6
P&E Committee Agenda
May 16, 2002

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: May 15, 2002
Author/Local: D. Rawsthorne/7343
RTS No. 02680
CC File No.
P&E: May 16, 2002

TO:	Standing Committee on Planning & Environment
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services and Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	Award of Consulting Contract: Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the contract for Professional Services to develop the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists be awarded to Delcan Corporation, at an estimated fee of $250,000, including GST and disbursements, with funding provided from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 30001337 -Burrard Bridge Bikeway.

B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to enter into a Professional Services Agreement contract with Delcan Corporation in consultation with the Director of Legal Services.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approved the Terms of Reference and the undertaking of the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists project in March 2002.

Consultant contracts over $30,000 are to be approved by Council.

PURPOSE

This report recommends that the contract for Professional Services to develop the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists be awarded to Delcan Corporation.

BACKGROUND

In July 2000, City Council approved a consultant study to review the feasibility of False Creek crossing options for pedestrians and cyclists and their associated costs and impacts. The False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study began in April 2001. This conceptual study of major crossing options and connections, along with a study of the heritage aspects of the Burrard Bridge, was completed in November 2001. On March 26, 2002, Council approved the final report of the False Creek Pedestrian and Cycling Crossings Study.

Included in the report approved by Council were Terms of Reference for undertaking further detailed design development of additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists, through either outward extensions of the sidewalks or alternative design solutions at the deck or upper level of the Burrard Bridge, consistent with the transportation capacity, safety, and heritage principles outlined in the report.

Staff were requested to report back on a recommended consultant team and source of funds for Council approval.

DISCUSSION

In April 2002 a request for proposals was sent to 25 engineering, architectural and heritage consultants. In response, four proposals were received from the following consulting teams (estimated fees including disbursements and GST are also listed) :

· Delcan, in association with Busby + Associates Architects, Robert G. Lemon Architecture & Preservation, Fast + Epp and dpl Consulting ($245,182)

· Buckland & Taylor, in association with Hotson Bakker Architects, Commonwealth Historic Resource Management, Ward Consulting Group, and Richard Drdul Community Transportation Planning ($181, 359)
· Earth Tech Canada, in association with Architectura, McGinn Engineering & Preservation, and Hamilton Associates Engineering & Planning Consultants ($213,236)

· Baker McGarva Hart Architecture, in association with ND Lea Consultants, IBI Group, McGinn Engineering & Preservation, PBA Consulting Engineers, Tony Steadman and Associates and Canron Construction ($190,650)

All four proposals were reviewed independently by staff and three of the consulting teams were interviewed by a panel of engineering and planning staff. Staff unanimously selected Delcan's consulting team as the best qualified to provide Professional Services to develop the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists. Staff concluded that Delcan's team is the preferred choice because:

· they have a clear understanding of the City's requirements and expectations for the project, including the key transportation, structural and heritage issues;
· they have extensive experience with the study area including undertaking the recently completed Burrard Bridge Upgrade project and the False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings Study;
· they have proven success integrating architectural, engineering and heritage requirements into elegant solutions;
· they have a history of providing innovation in the design of buildings and bridges, combined with a sense of the Burrard Bridge's stature and significance as a heritage and civic structure;
· they have the transportation planning expertise needed, including pedestrian/cyclist and traffic modeling expertise;
· they bring strong leadership and communication skills, as well as experience dealing with high profile projects.

Based on the above, staff recommend that Delcan Corporation be awarded the work. Their submission provides the best value to the City for the fee specified. Delcan's consulting team is expected to start immediately following Council approval and conclude by September 2002. City staff will work closely with the selected consulting team on the project and prepare a report to Council upon its completion.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommends that the contract for the undertaking of the Burrard Bridge Sidewalk Capacity Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists be awarded to Delcan Corporation, at an estimated fee of $250,000, including GST and disbursements, subject to the completion of a contract to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services.

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